Page 96 of Leap of Faith
He led her to the lake and settled her into the rowing boat before taking his own seat. He removed his coat and began to row the oars. Somehow, it was easier to speak when he was not idle.
“You need take no heed of what your grandmother says,” Faith began.
“I confess, quite abominably, that I do not. I am quite capable of thinking and speaking my own mind.”
“But you cannot think to marry me. As I recall, you made it very clear you had no intention of ever entering such a state.”
“No, did I?” He pursed his lips. “I am quite sure I did not. Perhaps my reputation precedes me.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed.
“But you cannot believe my philanthropy extends so far as to injured schoolroom chits. Everything I did was for you.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Sir, I must tell you that you speak utter rubbish! You would have helped any of us or your friends.”
“I fear I never have before,” he said, even though he probably would should such an eventuality become necessary. “I was attempting to be romantic.”
“I wish you would not, for it confuses me.”
“Are you unable to think of me in such a light, then, Faith?” He stopped rowing for a moment to look directly into her eyes.
Her blushing cheeks betrayed her, but she did not look away. “It has never entered my head that you might consider offering for me. I have told myself from the beginning to dismiss such considerations. Indeed, I thought, what could I possibly have to offer you that one of your beautiful flirts did not?”
Dominic was not one to live his life with regrets. But at that moment, he would happily remove every past female from his life because they paled in comparison before this one. He wanted not one ounce of doubt, jealousy, or sadness ever to befall his love.
“I know it may be difficult to believe, but I hope you can trust me when I say that none of them has ever moved me as you do. I have never before considered marriage with anyone else.”
“I want to believe you.”
They had reached the opposite shore and he tied up the boat. He stepped out first, then offered his hand to assist her.
Instead of placing her hand on his arm, he kept hers grasped within his and led her to the bridge. She did not try to remove her hand, which he took to be a good sign. The river was flowing rapidly from the spring rains and they stood in contemplative silence for a few minutes before he turned to her.
“I was going to declare myself to you here, but perhaps it is too soon. Are you not ready? I had intended to wait until you had reached your majority, as would be proper, but being here with you every day has erased any doubts I had about delaying. If you need more time or wish to consider other suitors, just say the word. I will not like it, but I will not press you. I cannot vow, however, that I will not seek to persuade you otherwise.”
“No.” She shook her head and then reached her hands up to his face. “My lord, I have wanted to do this since that day in the garden when we were interrupted.” She stood on tiptoe and placed her lips to his. It was sweet and innocent and genuine, and Dominic knew in his heart that she was his.
He wrapped his arms about her waist and began to kiss her back, gently teaching her about the art. When he slowly withdrew, he kept her in his arms, placing her head against his chest.
“Will you be my wife, Faith? My friend, my confidante?”
“Are you quite, quite certain?” She tilted her head up to look at him.
“I have never been more certain of anything,” he said, looking down at her.
“Then I would be pleased to be your wife, but you may flirt solely with me,” she demanded boldly.
“Baggage,” he said affectionately as he punished her impertinence with another kiss.
CHAPTER23
Afew days later, they had settled back in London. Joy seemed to be happy being back with her sisters, and the governess seemed pleased to read to Joy for entertainment since her last employer had thought novels were the devil’s work.
No time had been wasted in putting the betrothal announcement in the papers, and Lady Westwood was wasting no time in making preparations for the wedding the day after Faith reached her majority.
The viscountess had wanted to hold another ball, but fortunately Lord Westwood had been able to convince her that an intimate dinner with their closest friends would be better.
Faith still could not believe she was betrothed. Everything seemed to have happened so fast and was out of her control. She cared not for a large Society wedding or her standing in the beau monde, but the change in people’s behaviour and the deference with which she was treated was astonishing.
