Page 76 of To Dare a Duke

How had he ever thought her plain, he wondered? Honestly not understanding it. She was the most precious, beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his life. He’d once thought such things of Lavinia, but that had been shallow in comparison, a superficial desire for something he’d thought perfect without ever troubling himself to understand her. That dreadful mess had been as much his fault as hers, and he felt regret for her unhappiness.

“So,” he said, drawing it out, speaking slowly, even though his blood was racing in his veins, his heart aching for the moment she would allow him to hold her, to kiss her. “If I were to propose again…?”

“Yes!” she said, before he could say another word. She dropped her reticule, allowing it to hit the rug beneath them with a soft thud, and threw her arms around his neck, pressing closer. “Yes, with all my heart. If you can be brave enough to forgive me for everything I did, then I can be brave enough to trust you with my heart, with… with my future.”

Robert held her face between both his hands, stroking the soft skin with his thumbs. He longed to kiss her, but this needed to be said, this vow made.

“You will never be my property,” he said, his voice firm. “I cannot change the law, but I give you my solemn vow, I will never hurt you. I will always seek your opinion, and not make decisions that affect your life without your consent. We will be together, you and I, in all things, and I will never be your master.” He watched the tears gathering in her eyes and felt his heart swell, longing for everything he hoped for them both, for a future where they could be happy. He laughed, then. “In truth, you’re master here, love. Whether you like it or not. Good god, Prue, don’t you know? I’d do anything for you. Command me as you wish, my heart is yours. Ask what you will of me.”

Her breath caught and she shook her head. “I would never command you, but… I will love you, if you’ll let me.”

She pressed closer and lifted her mouth towards him and Robert closed the distance, touching his lips to hers. A breath left him, ragged and uneven as his fears rushed away with that soft touch.

He drew back, staring at her in wonder as she smiled at him, a little shyly.

“I love you,” he said, relieved to say it aloud at last. “Do you mind?”

She laughed, a sound that lifted him, that made his heart as light as a soap bubble. “As long as you don’t mind if I feel the same,” she said, one hand smoothing over his lapel. The pallor had gone from her face and she looked rosy and happy, her eyes sparkling.

“Say it,” he said, hardly daring to believe he’d understood. “Say it aloud.”

“I love you, Robert,” she said with conviction, her lovely face alight with the truth of those words.

He couldn’t stop smiling. He doubted he’d stop for some considerable time yet. Well, perhaps if he kissed her….

Robert bent his head, pleased when she reached for him again, though they both leapt apart as the door flew open.

“Oh, Robert! I’m so happy for you!”

He blinked as his sister whirled into the room, flinging the door open to show that Sally, several housemaids, a sheepish looking butler and his uncle, were all gathered outside the door.

“I-I,” stammered the butler, looking uncharacteristically discomposed.

Robert waved a hand, too full of joy to bar his household from sharing in his excitement.

“Well done, my boy, well done!” Charles said, shaking his hand with enough vigour to dislocate his shoulder. Though, soon that wasn’t enough, and he was pulled into a hug. “I couldn’t be happier,” the old man added, sniffing and reaching for a large handkerchief when he finally let Robert go.

He blew his nose with some force and then turned to Prue. “Welcome to the family, Prue, my dear. I feel you’ve been here for some time,” he said, with warmth. “But I’m very happy that we’ll make it official.”

Prue beamed and made him blush as she reached and kissed his cheek.

“Well, then, Robbie?” he said, using a pet name that Robert hadn’t heard since he’d become duke. “When’s the wedding?”

Robert cleared his throat and reached for his inside pocket. “Well, if you approve, Prue… tomorrow?” He showed her the special licence which had been burning a hole in his pocket for days now. “Unless… if you prefer, we can wait and do the whole thing properly with hundreds of guests and—”

“No!” she said, turning a deathly shade at the idea. She gave a vigorous shake of her head and pointed at the licence. “Does that mean we can marry here?”

He nodded, relieved that she was in as much a hurry as he was.

“And… may I invite some of my friends?”

Robert laughed and pulled her close, ignoring the happy sighs from their audience. “You can invite anyone you want, so long as you’re there.”

“I’ll be there,” she said, clutching at his lapels. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

Chapter 21

My dear friends,