Page 55 of Portrait of a Lady
“All you ever had to do was ask. God, even Patience said it was written all over my face.”
“And Aubrey said it was written all over mine, and still you doubted it. We are both guilty of denial, Evelyn. I convinced myself that loving you would doom me, because you’d purchased me for a temporary arrangement. I was the one who had allowed myself to fall in love when our agreement never made room for such.”
She let out a little huff of stunned laughter. “And I had convinced myself that I was foolish for loving a man whose business was literally making women feel special and cherished. I told myself that I was only a means to an end for you, that all your tenderness toward me was part of the job.”
He shook his head at her, tightening his hold on her. “You were never just a job to me, Evie. Yes, I’ve spent years creating illusions of love for women in exchange for their coin. Yes, I was very, very good at it. But with you I never needed to try to create a thing, it all came so naturally. And I realized that’s because it was all real, every bit of it from the first kiss to this moment.”
“So, here we are,” she said with a coy smile.
“Yes, here we are. I love you, Evie. You’re my light, my joy, and you’ve even become my muse. My life, my art...all of it is at its best with you in it. Marry me, darling. Marry me and let me make you happy for the rest of your days. I don’t have much to offer—”
“You have everything,” she declared. “Everything I’ve ever wanted, Hugh. I don’t care about money or family connections or any of it. And, in case you’ve forgotten, I am an heiress. I duped my family into giving over the money by holding out on getting married. Now we can have it all.”
He threw his head back and roared a laugh, which sent even more talk drifting through the ballroom as word spread that Hugh Radcliffe’s fiancée was, apparently, quite witty.
“I received three commissions for portraits today alone,” he confided. “It won’t be long before I have the means to support us.”
Her wide smile pleased him more than the commissions had, bright and joyful. “I love you, Hugh...and I am so very proud. You did it. You set out to make a name for yourself, and now you have.”
Taking her through one final turn, he halted right in the middle of the dance floor and took her face in his hands. “More than that, I have the one thing that will make it all the sweeter...you.”
With that, he lowered his head and kissed her lips in full view of theton. She gasped against his mouth, stiffening for a moment before going pliant in his arms. Exaggerated gasps and more murmurs filled the room, but he paid them no heed. This woman was his, and now the world knew it.
By the time they’d pulled apart, the next dance had begun, couples filling the dance floor while gaping at them with shocked expressions.
His sister appeared at their side, with Benedict and Aubrey on her heels.
“My God,” Melanie said with wide smile and bright gleam in her eyes. “You’ve made my little fête quite a sensation. People will still be talking about this when next Season begins!”
With an amused smirk, Hugh gestured toward Melanie. “May I introduce my overenthusiastic sister, Melanie? Mel, my fiancée, Evelyn.”
Evelyn blushed and took Melanie’s outstretched hand. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Thank you for inviting me...I feel certain Hugh enlisted your aid in getting me here.”
Melanie beamed proudly. “He did, and I was happy to help.”
Benedict cleared his throat. “As much as I love scandalizing theton, I just want to point out that you’ve just ruined Evelyn in the midst of a crowded ballroom.”
Taking her hand, Hugh laughed. “None of that matters when they all know I’m going to marry her.”
“The sooner the better after that,” Aubrey suggested.
Hugh’s smile widened as he turned to his betrothed, prepared to unveil his final secret of the day. “It will be done tonight, if Evie is amenable.”
“Tonight?” Evelyn echoed, giving him a confused look.
“Well, knowing that a public display would cause something of a spectacle, I thought to make certain preparations,” he revealed, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out the special license he’d stashed there. The document had felt like a hot coal against his chest the entire night. “I had such high hopes that you would accept my suit, that I took the liberty of procuring this. I also paid a very impatient member of the clergy to await us in the drawing room of my home. We could be wed within the hour, if you wish.”
Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she grinned up at him as if he’d just pulled a handful of stars from the heavens and placed them in her palm.
“Of course it’s what I wish,” she said. “The sooner the better, just as Aubrey said.”
Every fiber of his being rejoiced at the thought of making her his before the sun had risen on the next day. But he paused for a moment, lifting a hand to her cheek and searching for any sign of reticence on her face.
“Are you certain? It doesn’t have to happen so fast.”
“I don’t want a big ceremony with a church full of strangers staring at me as I walk down the aisle. I only want you.”
“That carriage is still waiting outside,” Benedict offered. “And you’re going to need witnesses. Aubrey?”
