Page 24 of A Lady Never Tells

“But the rules have changed,” he insisted. “There are no masks between us now.” He twirled her around the floor until they reached the edge of the ballroom. He pulled her toward the nearby balcony doors and whisked her outside. They needed a little privacy for the next part.

She pulled away from him, but he didn’t let her go. He slipped her hand in his and lead her down the steps to the nearby garden. They walked in silence until they reached the bench he’d found her on a few days ago near the rose bushes. “Sit he said.”

She did as he asked. The moonlight bathed her in light and emphasized her beauty. He had to make her understand, to make her realize how much she meant to him. “Is there a reason we’re out here?”

“I never do anything without a reason,” he told her. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

She sighed. “Yes,” she said after a few moments. “I had planned on telling you tonight. But it seems I don’t need to. How long have you known the truth?”

“I think I’ve always known,” he answered honestly. “It just took making love to you for me to fully accept it.” Maxwell kneeled beside her. “I’ve been taken with you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I’m still taken with you.” He lifted her hand into his. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She frowned. “You want me to be your mistress?”

“No,” he said. “I would never dishonor you that way.” He sighed. “I’m blundering this.” Maxwell caressed her cheek. He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “I need a wife. I was willing to settle for marriage without love, but I don’t have to.”

“Of course not. I don’t recommend a loveless marriage. No one knows more than I do how disastrous that can be.”

“I know,” he said in a quiet tone. “My niece needs a mother.” He had to make sure she understood everything. “So I decided to find a wife.”

“I understand,” she said in a quiet tone.

“I don’t think you do,” he said. “There was this woman that kept haunting my dreams. So while I scoured the balls and soirees for a woman I could marry none of them would do. There was only one woman I wanted, but I didn’t know her name or where to find her.”

Her mouth fell open. “I’m…” She shook her head. “I’m speechless. What are you trying to tell me?”

“I’m saying I love you. I think I have always loved you, but I didn’t think real love existed. Every time you walk into a room, my gaze gravitates toward you.” He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she was breathless. “Whenever you smile, my heart skips a beat, and when I kiss you, I’m lost. You’re my weakness, and there is no other woman I want more than you. Please marry me and let me spend the rest of my life making your every dream come true.”

She didn’t speak for several seconds. Maxwell’s heart beat faster and faster inside his chest and he feared it might burst from the anxiety spreading throughout him. Then she spoke so quietly he almost didn’t hear her. “I love you too.”

“Say that again,” he demanded.

Her lips wobbled as she smiled. “I love you,” she said again. “And yes I’ll marry you.”

He met her gaze and demanded, “Tell me the truth. Why didn’t you tell me that you were the lady from the masquerade sooner?”

Eden smiled up at him and said, “Because a lady never tells.” Her lips twitched. “Unless she hopes to start a scandal, and I most certainly wanted to avoid that.” She leaned her head against his chest. “I’m lucky, your grace, you’re not a perfect gentleman or we’d never have found our way back to each other.”

“I’m the lucky one,” he said. “Because I have you.”

Maxwell didn’t wait one second longer to kiss her. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss between them stole his breath and passion ignited between them. Only this woman made him feel this deeply. He was blessed to have found her, and he would never take her, or her love, for granted.