Page 79 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
When he’d arrived at the library, it was to find Daphne, the object of his thoughts. She’d been engaged in what looked like a fierce argument with Harry about his true intentions. He really appreciated the fact that his friend had taken time from a day that was supposed to be special to him to try and secure Victor’s happiness.
He had to admit he was now indebted to both Harry and Amelia but was not surprised that the little sprite he was in love with refused to believe them. It broke his heart to think that he had made her believe that he didn’t care for her. Everyone deserved love, most especially her.
“What is taking her so long?” he muttered to himself, his heart pounding in his chest.
He had to see her. He had to know that she realized the letters were a testament to his love for her. That somehow, they could convey even a sliver of his adoration for her.
A few more torturously long moments later, the door opened, and Daphne slipped out.
Victor jolted, standing upright, and Daphne gulped as their eyes met.
God, she is so beautiful, he thought to himself. Even through his turmoil, he could not stop himself from admiring her.
“Victor,” Daphne said gently and bit her lip as she scanned the corridor. “Perhaps it’s better we spoke in private.”
Victor nodded and eagerly stepped closer as she opened the door to the library again. He motioned her to enter first. Turmoil or not, he was still a gentleman.
After closing the door behind him, he took a step closer to her.
“Daphne,” he began, causing her to look up at him with her sparkling, emerald eyes. “I want you to know that I meant every word in those letters.”
Daphne’s breathing slowed, her gaze fixed on him.
This was his chance to make it right.Do not make a shambles of it.
“I love you, more than I can ever express in words. More than the words in those letters too.” The words escaped him, his mind racing, eager and impatient to confess everything.
She looked at him, her eyes searching his face for any sign of deceit. He knew all she’d find would be sincerity and raw emotion.
“I… I am uncertain… I do not know what to say, Victor,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
A shiver careened down his spine as she uttered his name. God, how desperate he was to hear it again.
He moved closer to her, taking her hands in his. “You do not have to say anything. Just know that I am here, that I love you, and that I am willing to do whatever it takes to make things right between us.”
“How do I know that you will not leave me again?”
Victor knew the answer to that question deep in his heart. He’d come with the intention of stopping her from marrying Percy, but selfishly, he wanted her for himself even though she was too good for him.
She was braver than him and had been the brave one throughout their arrangement. He knew if he was ever to have a future, there was no other woman he’d want by his side.
“I’d rather die than leave your side ever again,” he answered knowing he’d never spoken truer words.
She looked deeply into his eyes and then a tiny smile formed on her pink lips.
“Sit with me a while then,” she requested and he obliged, sitting beside her on the sofa next to the desk which was teeming with his correspondence.
He tried not to feel surprised when she rested her head on his shoulder and said nothing.
And in that moment, as they sat in the library surrounded by the musty smell of old books, Victor felt a glimmer of hope ignite in his heart.
Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for them to find happiness together after all.
ChapterNineteen
Daphne remained in a perpetual state of delirious happiness while she snuggled up in Victor’s arms. After they had confessed their love and admitted their feelings to one another, she felt as though a huge weight had lifted off her chest, and her heart was able to beat unencumbered once more.
He loved her. The only difference being that, at this point in time, it was no longer pretense.
