Page 88 of The Wolf and the Wildflower
He took her hand and led her to the center of the room.
“There is no music, James, and everyone is staring at us.”
“Do you care?”
Her lips trembled and those tears spilled over. “No, I only care that I am here with you.”
“Dance the waltz with me.”
James took her into his arms, and glided her around the room, never taking his eyes off her. The orchestra hurriedly struck the notes of a Viennese waltz, but no one else joined, too stunned by his actions or perhaps eager to watch his behavior and speculate on it tomorrow.
“Why did you come like this, Wildflower?”
A soft breath hitched from her, and tears spilled down her cheeks and down to her neck. “You know why.”
Emotions trembled through James, and he tugged her closer.
“We are scandalizing the world,” she achingly whispered.
“Hang the world. While I will consider my family always, I will not be a slave to anyone’s expectations. ”
A smile shaped her mouth, then she laughed, the sound light and airy in the room. The sound real and honest. “I will lay the world at your feet,” he vowed.
“I only want the piece you stand upon, James.”
“You’ll stand with me?”
“Always.”
“I love you,” he said softly. “Will you marry me, Wildflower?”
“Yes!”
A breath of sensation pierced him like a well-aimed arrow. “I will build a hospital for you. One…a dozen, and you will work should you wish it.”
Her eyes crinkled at the corner. “Oh, James, the scandal of that would be—”
His fingers tightened around her waist. “I cannot bear the thought of you giving up the freedom you’ve enjoyed, and the passionate pursuit of psychology. If we are to be together, theymustcoexist. You’ll be the Duchess of Wulverton, my Wildflower. You can do whatever you wish with my full support and power. Even dress as Jules Southby and go to work if you wish.”
She laughed again before it broke off into a sob. “You impossible man, I love you so very much, James. Jules Southby is no more. I do not wish to pretend anymore…to my family or the world. I want to exist as I am, and the world and society and my family must accept me with whatever eccentrics and intelligence I own. That I was given the privilege to study and graduate is something I will always treasure.Always. Will I leave it as a better memory of a previous life?No. You tell me that I will have power as a duchess.”
“Yes,” he said gruffly, tugging her scandalously closer, wanting to kiss her so badly his damn teeth ached. “More power and influence and wealth than you can ever know.”
She smiled, her eyes glowing with that enigmatic passion and mystery. “Your support and love means so much to me, James. The world is slowly changing, and while women are still not allowed to graduate from Cambridge or Oxford, those halls have allowed ladies to study. For so long I worried if my father knew the son he was so proud of was a woman he would be disappointed. No more. I do not wish to lie or deceive anymore. I will proudly show my intelligence and education and advocate for more distinguished studies for women, and study even further should I wish it. It might take a few years, but I believe there will be a day women will be freely permitted to studyandgraduate with degrees in medicine, psychology, arts, history, and I will lend my voice, passion, and status to that endeavor. Will I miss studying at university and the freedom to enter an inn and drink a pint or visit a gambling house? Yes.”
Jules took a shaky breath, her eyes glistening with such emotions. “I can see in your eyes that you look sad…for what I am giving up, James.”
“Bloody hell, Wildflower, you will not give up anything—”
“I do not feel as if I am giving up anything…for I am gaining so much. Loving you will not change the person I grew to be, nor will it change my experiences. That core of me is unshakable. My heart does not want to survive without you in my life, James, without the only person with whom I have been honest and vulnerable and real. Those days apart, knowing I might never see you or kiss you again, laugh or run with you in the woods, lie atop your chest and listen to your heartbeat, flayed my heart with torment. Do I long to live as a duchess and a lady? No. I do not long for such a life and restriction…but I am rather smart, if I might say so, and I will learn what is necessary so as not to shame you or cause any scandal for our family. What I hunger for James, is to be withyou…to be your wife…your friend and lover. Being your duchess will not prevent me from devouring texts and theories, it will not prevent me from writing articles to our society for publication, and it will not prevent me from helping anyone I see in need.”
A wide smile curved her mouth and her eyes sparkled. “I want to run in the woods and sleep in the tree house with you. I will continue learning and studying and I know you will never try to stop this passion of mine, James. And when I feel the walls closing in on me…I’ll don trousers, a wig, grab my walking stick, and paint the town with you.”
James laughed, ignoring that soft squeak as he tugged her closer. “God, I love you.”
“We must not start a scandal,” she whispered, humor glowing in her eyes as he twirled her away.
James danced with her, holding her in his arms like a treasure. When the waltz ended he continued gliding with her and the orchestra had no choice but to continue playing. By the time they came to a stop, they had toured the ballroom at least three times, dancing the waltz, all of society standing and staring at them in astonishment.
