Page 149 of A Dangerous Pursuit (Regency Spies & Secrets 1)

Running a hand through his hair, Lord Hawthorne declared, “Heavens, no!”

“Then I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

Lord Hawthorne met her gaze, and she refrained from smiling at his tousled hair. “I am not good at giving speeches, Madalene. But I want you to bear with me.”

He took a deep breath before he began. “You are the most intriguing young woman I have ever met. You are beautiful, compassionate, kind, clever, and incredibly headstrong.” He chuckled. “At times, you may almost be too stubborn, but I am willing to overlook that.”

“Are you trying to compliment me or insult me?”

Lord Hawthorne reached for her hand. “Compliment you,” he replied. “I don’t hesitate when someone is pointing a pistol at me, but I’m growing increasingly anxious at the prospect of offering myself to the woman that I love.”

She blinked. “Love?” she repeated. “You love me?”

“Yes, how could I not?” he asked. “I don’t know exactly when I started to fall in love with you, but I suspect it was when I first saw you in that coffeehouse.”

“Truly?”

A slow smile came to his lips. “You have no idea the effect you have on me,” he shared. “When I am with you, I am a better man. But you must know that I will never be truly worthy of you.”

“I disagree,” she replied. “I think you are perfect for me.”

“Do you mean that?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

She blinked back the tears that came to her eyes. “I do,” she asserted, “and I love you, as well.”

Lord Hawthorne reared back slightly. “You do?” he asked. “I mean, I hoped you did… or at least held me in some affection—”

In a bold, swift move, she went up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his, effectively silencing him.

As she leaned back slightly, she asked, “Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”

He chuckled. “No, I can’t say that anyone ever has.”

Smiling, she said, “I think I found my favorite way to silence you.”

His eyes dropped to her lips. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” she replied, taking a deep, shuddering breath in anticipation of what Lord Hawthorne was about to do.

In the next moment, he pressed his warm, soft lips to hers. His arms came around her, drawing her closer to him. She parted her lips and kissed him back with an ardor that she had never felt before. And with every moment, she found herself growing more in love with this wonderful man.

Lord Hawthorne broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “You never did answer my question.”

“About what?” she breathed.

“Will you marry me?”

Madalene pretended to consider his words. “I suppose a union between us would be a good idea,” she finally replied.

“Yes, it most assuredly would,” he said, “especially since I never wish to be parted from you ever again.”

“Then I agree, assuming you will let me kiss you whenever I want.”

A charming smile came to his lips. “I can agree to those terms.”

“Wonderful.”

The word was barely out of her mouth before Lord Hawthorne pressed his lips against hers. Not that she was complaining. She rather enjoyed kissing her fiancé.

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