Page 60 of Falling Into Bed with a Duke
She stared at him. “Are you talking ... marriage?”
“It is within the realm of possibility.”
“Even knowing who I am?”
“Especially knowing who you are. You intrigue me. A rose by any other name and all that nonsense. You’re a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. You’re not some mewling miss whining in the corner, waiting for someone else to make her happy.”
“Most gentlemen are put off because I don’t mewl about or faint or pretend helplessness.”
“I’m not most men.”
He could not have spoken truer words. Part of her concern was that she feared she could very easily find herself falling in love with him, and she didn’t think he was the sort to love. While she’d been fond of a couple of her suitors, she hadn’t been madly in love with anyone. Did one have to love in order to be loved?
Stepping back, she leaned her hips against the railing of the bridge, finding it easier to think when he released her hand and his wonderful masculine scent wasn’t wafting around her. “Why do you want to marry me?”
He stepped forward, and she was immediately aware of his nearness, his legs brushing her skirt, his chest nearly touching hers. It would involve little more than her inhaling deeply to close that space between them. “There is fire between us. We’re good together.”
She narrowed her eyes. “What is your financial situation?”
“Not every man is after your dowry,” he said curtly.
“Then why are you in pursuit?”
“Was it not your cries echoing around me last night?”
“And when the fire of passion burns out?”
“It won’t.”
“You can’t guarantee that.” Moving away from him, she faced the darkest part of the gardens. Was the physical reason enough to marry? Could a relationship without love satisfy for a lifetime?
Coming up behind her, he placed his mouth on the nape of her neck. Such a simple touch that caused everything within her to melt.
“I want you more tonight than I wanted you last night,” he said, his low voice sending a warm shiver over her skin.
“Why didn’t you tell me last night that you knew who I was?”
“You seemed to need the anonymity. Perhaps it was part of your fantasy. I wanted to give you what you desired. But I want to court Minerva Dodger. I don’t think she’d understand if I was having an affair with Lady V while courting her.”
Why couldn’t she trust his motives? Why couldn’t she believe he truly wanted her? “Do you love me?”
“Do you love me?”
She spun around and found his mouth on hers before she could utter a word. The fire ignited almost instantaneously. She melted against him, winding her arms around his neck. Was this enough to keep them both happy for the remainder of their days?
He trailed his mouth along her throat. “Allow me to call on you tomorrow. Give me an opportunity to show you that you can be as happy with me in the light as you are in the shadows.”
At such a simple request, she could do little more than nod. He eased away from her. “You were correct,” he said quietly, seductively, skimming his finger along her lips. “I very much appreciate your brother’s fishpond.”
Her laughter bubbled out, making her feel younger than she’d felt in a good long while. “I’m not certain I’ve ever enjoyed it quite so much.”
“That’s good to know. I have a competitive streak. I don’t want you giving yourself to anyone else.”
She couldn’t think of a single gentleman who could compete with him, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. He didn’t need any more confidence.
“We should return to the ballroom,” he said, “before our absence is noticed, and tongues start to wag.” He extended his arm.
She had a hundred questions, a thousand, but she didn’t want the warm glow to dissipate.
