Page 139 of Married to a Frozen Duke
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Coexistence first, then we'll work on peaceful."
"Another process?"
"Everything with us is a process."
"But we're making progress."
"We are," he agreed, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Slow, sometimes painful, but definite progress."
"From disaster to tentative peace to actual happiness."
"With a stop at drunken confessions along the way."
"A very important stop."
"The most important stop."
She turned in his arms to face him. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if your grandfather hadn't put that clause in his will?"
"We'd never have met."
"And?"
"And I'd still be frozen, alone, thinking I preferred it that way."
"And I'd still be invisible in my parents' house."
"So my grandfather’s will actually did us a favour, even though I was certain he hated me and that was my punishment."
"Alexander! That's your grandfather."
"Who forced me into marriage with a complete stranger."
"It worked out."
"Through sheer luck and excellent brandy."
"And persistence. Don't forget persistence."
"How could I forget? You persistently existed in my space until I had no choice but to notice you."
"I'm very good at existing."
"You're very good at many things."
"Such as?"
"Caring for those in need. Making me feel things I don't want to feel."
"You love feeling things now."
"I tolerate feeling things."
"You love it."
"I love you. The feelings are a side effect I'm learning to manage."
"How romantic."
