Page 115 of The Rake

Her stockings lay neatly folded side by side, the rolled-up note in between them. She started to thank him, then noticed what held the missive in its tight coil. A ring. Tristan’s signet ring.

“Oh, my,” she whispered, a tear running down her cheek.

“And now for my second question,” he said, his voice not quite steady. “Some people will say that I’m asking you this because of your wealth. And I do need what you have in order to save Dare. Other people will say it’s because I have no choice, and that I am obligated to save your reputation. We both know there’s far more to it than that. I need you. Even more than your money, Georgiana, I need you. Will you marry me?”

“You know,” she said, wiping another tear away and torn between laughing and crying, “when this first began, I only meant to teach you a lesson about the consequences of breaking someone’s heart. What I didn’t realize was that you had something to teach me, as well—about how people can change, and about how sometimes you can trust your heart. My heart’s been in love with you for a very long time, Tristan.”

Tristan took the box from her and set it on the table. Removing the ring from the parchment, he reached for her hand. “Then answer my question, Georgiana. Please, before I expire from the suspense.”

She gave a teary chuckle. “Yes, Tristan. I will marry you.”

He slipped the ring on her finger, then pulled her up against him, touching his lips to hers. “You’ve saved me,” he murmured.

“I’m happy my money can help with Dare,” she said. “I always knew that would be part of any arrangement I entered.”

Sapphire eyes held hers. “No, Georgiana. You’ve saved me. I kept wondering how I could even think of marrying someone else, when I compared every female I met with you. But I knew you hated me, and—”

“I don’t anymore.” She sighed. “I’m not certain I ever did.”

Tristan kissed her again. “I love you, Georgie—so much that it frightens me a little. I’ve been wanting to tell you that for a while, but I wasn’t certain you would ever believe me.”

She’d worried about the same thing. “I believe you now. And I love you.”

He took her hand, looking down at the overlarge ring on her finger. “I suppose we should tell your family, before they shoot me.” His eyes met hers again. “And please, tell me you’re through with lessons.”

Georgiana chuckled again. “No promises. I may feel the need to continue your education later.”

“Heaven help us both, then,” he whispered with a smile, and kissed her.