Page 63 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
She laughed. “If you met them, you would know that isn’t true. Funnily enough, where they are all happily married now, none of them started this way. In fact, each one was a tragedy worthy of its own play.”
“But with a happy ending?” Philip laughed.
“Eventually.” She winked at him then and took a sip of wine. “All that is to say, we’re off to a great start.”
It was the third course when the conversation turned serious and Iris felt that she needed to reach a decision. For dessert a tray of jellies and fruits were served in the shape of a towering pyramid, far too much for just the two of them, but she picked at it happily. If for no other reason than to distract herself.
“I have enjoyed tonight,” she said softly, finding it hard to look Philip directly in the eyes now. The wine was having a small effect on her confidence, but nowhere near enough. “Thankyou…” She glanced quickly at him and looked away. “You have no idea how grateful I am.”
“As am I,” he said seriously. “I suppose it’s overdue, isn’t it.”
“No,” she said. “If this were last week, it would have felt forced. And no doubt it would have been awkward.”
“And likely would’ve led to a fight,” he chuckled.
She laughed along, but said nothing.
As she picked at her plate of fruit she could feel Philip’s eyes on her. Watching closely. Expecting her to say something… as if he knew what was on her mind.
When the dinner started, Iris had not been sure what she wanted. Or rather, if the timing was right for it. Only now, with how well things were going, she realized there was no point in waiting. This marriage was ready for the next step and nervous or not, it needed to be taken.
Just do it, Iris. It is not as if he will say no!
“Philip,” she started softly, still unable to look at him. “There is something we need to discuss.”
“Yes?”
She clicked her tongue. “I… earlier today, when we broke our fast. We were…” She sucked through her teeth. “Do you remember what we were speaking of?”
“I do.”
“Your rules,” she forced herself to say. “I was telling you how I had been thinking about them. The third rule, in particular.”
“I remember.”
Her breathing had grown heavy. Her pulse was racing. She was growing hot, fidgeting, hardly able to sit straight because a nervous energy had flooded her.
“I told you how grateful I was, that you… that you were willing to wait for me. That you were not going to pressure me or make demands. And…” She forced herself to look up, finding his stare focused on her. Unblinking and powerful. “And where I do appreciate it, so much, you need to know—you should know. That… that…” She could hardly breathe! “That there is no need.”
“No need for what?” he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper.
“To wait,” she said. She made sure to hold his eyes across the table, needing him to see how serious she was being. “The truth is, I do not want to wait. I did, once, when I thought this marriage was to be nothing more than a convenience. Or an inconvenience,” she added with nervous laughter. “But with allthat has happened, all we have discussed and been through, I just don’t… I do not see why… I think that…”
She was struggling to say it. Casting her eyes down again, breathing ragged and body flushed bright pink, it was all she could do not to flee the room from embarrassment.
But she wanted this. She knew that now. As ready as she would ever be, she needed to stop being afraid.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Philip spoke for her.
She looked up, frowning at the comment. “What… what does that mean?”
He smiled. “I know what you are trying to say. Just as I know what you want.”
“You do?” she blinked.
“I do.” His smile grew and then, most unexpectedly, he stood from his seat. “And you should know, I want it too. I thought that to wait made the most sense, that I was doing the right thing by you. But now, well…” He laughed and shook his head. “I cannot help but think the opposite is true.”
“You… I… I agree,” she somehow managed.
