Page 119 of The Girl Out of Time
“As I’ve told you, Miss is not yet ready for visitors.” Rafferty spared a moment to scowl at Emmeline’s state of undress.
“It’s all right.” She looked back at Theo. “I’ll take him.”
The butler continued to mutter something about “being too old for this,” but Emmeline was held within Theo’s gaze, and everything else faded into the background. Without taking her eyes off him, she descended the stairs, the carpet feeling like clouds beneath her feet, her stomach fluttering in expectation. Theo met her at the bottom.
“I heard about the engagement,” she said.
“It’s true. I broke it off.”
“But—how—why?”
“Because this—my life, me, myself—is all I have.” He closed the distance between them, brushing the lace frills of her dressing gown. “And if you want me, I’ll be yours.”
Her knees buckled, and she grabbed the staircase’s newel to steady herself.
“Marry me, Emmeline.”
She couldn’t even produce a whole squeal. It was more of a peep that left her mouth, and then she was hugging him, and he let out a happy—or relieved—sigh and sunk his fingers into her hair.
She wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that; in her periphery, Rafferty quietly slipped away, and it was only them, forever, in eternity, his warmth seeping into her body, his clean, musky smell leading her into another dream.
He shifted enough to reach into his pocket and press his mother’s silver locket into her hand. “I’m not Wescott’s heir anymore. I won’t have much to give you, but I’ll try my best.”
She wrapped her fingers around the locket and held it to her chest. “I don’t care. I’ll take you, not what he wanted you to be.”
He rested his forehead on hers. “I’ll have the banns posted tomorrow morning.”
“What about Wescott? He must be furious.”
“It’s been taken care of. Cass helped, but her part isn’t my story to tell.”
She cupped his face. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He rubbed her nose with his, his breath teasing the corner of her mouth.
A loud cough came from her right. “Not to be all guardian-like,” Sebastian said, leaning on the doorway to the parlor, “but I believe if I don’t order you to go get dressed, my butler will fireme.”
Emmeline jumped away from Theo, heat rushing to her cheeks as she wrapped the dressing gown tighter around her. “I’m sorry.”
Sebastian smiled. “I suppose it’s my honor to be the first one to congratulate you?”
“Lord Haverston.” Theo issued a nod. “I should’ve asked you before—”
“It’s all right. As long as the lady agrees.” Sebastian winked at Emmeline. “I’d hate having to issue a challenge to you. Wouldn’t particularly care to become Louisa’s new favorite duel.”
Theo raised a confused eyebrow at Emmeline, who dismissively waved her hand.
“If you two would like, we can have a small dinner tomorrow night. A simple affair, just some friends you wish to invite,” Sebastian said. “To celebrate the engagement.”
“I’d love that,” Emmeline said.
“Thank you.” Theo turned back to Emmeline. “I should go. So much business to take care of. Tomorrow?”
She nodded, smiling as he took her hand and kissed it.
As soon as Theo left, a screech sounded from upstairs, and Louisa came crashing into Emmeline, squeezing her into a hug. “You’re engaged!” The rest of her words were unintelligible from squeals.
Past Louisa’s shoulder, Emmeline met Sebastian’s eyes.
