Page 123 of Rakes & Reticules
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Once Cecelia was safely ensconcedin Mrs. Fitzherbert’s butler’s care, Fitz and Patience finally relaxed from the ordeals of the evening. As the carriage pulled away from Stein House, suddenly Fitz did not know what to do with himself. His leg bounced up and down, as he sat staring at the woman he loved. She was breathtaking, with the moonlight casting its glow on her through the small carriage window.
He should have rejoiced in his freedom and in having the papers safely in his possession at last, but he could not find it in himself to celebrate.
“I’m glad it’s finally over,” she said, running her hands through her hair.
Fitz moved to sit beside her, wanting her close if this was to be the last time they were together. “How are you doing? I know learning about your grandmother’s involvement wasn’t easy, but to see how Reeves treated Cecelia and her unborn child. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling.”
Taking her gloved hand in his, Fitz squeezed, pulling her closer so that she was cradled in his arms.
“I am sad for Cecelia and I want to help her and her child, but I never was in fear of being in her position,” she said looking at him with deep brown eyes. “I never felt an inkling of attraction toward Mr. Reeves. My grandmother convinced me that you felt nothing for me. I went into the garden that night, missing you more than I ever imagined missing anyone.”
Fitz listened, wanting to know everything that happened five years earlier. He wished that he had stayed and fought for them. But he had been young and insecure.
“When Mr. Reeves found me in the gardens, I believed he was offering marriage, and I declined him. It was then he informed me that he would never marry a girl like me.” She swallowed; her eyes boring into Fitz’s.
“Like you?” he asked, not understanding. To him she was perfect and any man would want her for a bride.
“A woman of African descent.” She shook her head, closing her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, fire gleamed. “He followed me into the garden and made it perfectly clear that he wanted me to be his mistress. I refused him.”
Fury took over Fitz and he wanted nothing more than to go and punch Reeves once more. “If I ever see him again, I’ll kill him.”
“No, you will not. He’s no longer in our lives.” She pressed her forehead against his, looking into his eyes. “I was leaving Brighton, Fitz. Mrs. Fitzherbert had arranged a position for me at a girl’s school in Yorkshire.”
The little hope that he had sank. He couldn’t lose her again, not after tonight. Fitz would go wherever she wanted him. There was no possible way he could walk away from her, from them.
From this all-encompassing love he felt five years ago…the love he still felt.
“Was?” He couldn’t help but notice the past tense of her sentence.
Years ago, when he left Brighton in the middle of night with nothing but a broken heart, he had thought a future with Patience impossible, but now with her in his arms, it felt inevitable.
He wanted to fall to his knees and beg her to stay with him this time. Being back with her again had been the best hours of his life, and in truth he did not want it to end.
Patience pressed her hand against his chest. “I still want to teach and open my own school for girls. That will never change. Can you accept a working wife?” she asked him, leaning in, her sweet breath cascading over his face.
Dear God, was he dreaming?
“It will be my honor to have a wife who works.” He leaned in kissing the tip of her nose. “You are most fortunate as I have an entire estate with acres of land just waiting for a school to be built.”
“What?” She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body closer to his. “Truly, Fitz? You would allow me to build my school on your estate?”
“I will allow you anything as long as I can have you forever,” he said, unable to contain the complete joy coursing through his veins. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my countess?”
She raised her head in thought, before she looked at him, a breathtaking smile on her face.
“Yes,” she answered simply before she pressed her lips to his.
Ravishing her mouth, he pulled her onto his lap, his happiness overflowing. After everything they had been through, she was finally going to be his wife.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the residence where he was staying with Stonelake, a crème-colored town house.
She was going to be his wife. Fitz wouldn’t walk away this time. He couldn’t, not now, not ever again.
“Let me prove to you that I still love you.” He deepened the kiss, swirling, tasting, savoring every moment of it. As he broke away, his hand moved to her chin, stroking gently as he peered into deep brown eyes, that reminded him of home. “Prove that I’ve never stopped loving you.”
“I never stopped loving you either. I thought I had but seeing you again, and being with you awakened parts of me I thought died five years ago.” She tightened her arms around his neck, taking his mouth in a searing kiss, again.
