Page 118 of The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
Emma sighed. They were arm in arm, and his warmth permeated the layers of fabric between them, oddly reassuring.
“I just wondered why you haven’t tried to do more than kiss me since we arrived in London,” she said, her insides curling tighter as she waited to hear what he’d say.
He blew out his breath. “That’s all?”
He said that as though she hadn’t been working herself into a lather over it for days.
“Yes.”
“Then I have an easy answer for you.” He bumped against her as if wanting to be closer. “I want to take my time and court you properly so you have no reason to doubt how much I adore you.”
Her insides melted. If not for his support, she might have stumbled.She wished she could throw herself into his arms right here in the park. Well… she could, but then she’d cause a scene, and she knew he didn’t like those.
“You adore me?” She sounded breathier than she’d have liked.
He angled himself toward her. “Of course I do. I’m sorry you even had to ask.” He hesitated. “I have never experienced romantic love before, but I believe I might love you. My heart expands every time I see you or think of you, and any minute when we’re apart seems to pass twice as slowly.”
Her heart leaped. “Really?”
He smiled. “Yes, Emma. Really.”
He subtly shifted their positions and intertwined his fingers with hers. “I promise that I will never overlook you again. I won’t ask you to live separately from me, and if you were to make the suggestion—which you may, if you wish—it would sadden me. I know I wasn’t what you wanted in a husband, but I hope that you’ll let me fill the role anyway.”
She shook her head. “Oh, you silly man. Of course you’re what I want in a husband. You’re kind and honorable. I….”
Her breath caught. She could hardly believe they were having this conversation. Even when in the early days of their marriage she’d hoped he might be receptive to love, she’d always known it was unlikely.
They were two people brought together by convenience. Anything more had been too much to ask.
“I love you.” Her tone was full of wonder. “I really do.”
Love didn’t feel as she’d expected. It didn’t burn, as she’d always thought it would. It simmered pleasantly beneath the surface, warming her from the inside out and wrapping her in a blanket of comfort and security.
The way he stared at her now…
How had she ever imagined him to be cold?
“Emma, I want….”
“Yes?” she prompted because he seemed to be having difficulty getting the words out.She didn’t blame him. Her own throat was clogged with emotion.
He rubbed his chin, and his smile was delightfully shy. “I’d like to redo our vows to each other. I know it hasn’t been long since our wedding, but I want to marry you properly, and to give you the day you always dreamed of. I want to do things right.”
Emma’s soul sang, and her hands trembled as she turned and placed them in his. Neither of them were walking now, although she wasn’t sure when they’d stopped.
“I’ve… I’ve never heard of doing something like that,” she admitted.
He laughed. “Nor have I. Perhaps it’s a madcap thing to do, but it makes me sad that you were robbed of your dream wedding—that we both were—and I want to fix that.”
Her smile wobbled. “Then yes, I will gladly redo our vows. I know that it will be even better than my dreams. Even if theton—and my mother—are scandalized.”
“I’ll do my best to make that so.” He spoke with conviction. “And as for theton, they don’t matter to me. Not like you do.”
“You don’t have to try, my love,” she told him. “It will already be perfect because you’ll be waiting for me at the end of the aisle.”
CHAPTER 28
London,
