Page 52 of The Truth about the Rogue
“You did?”
“You wrote them all?” Charlotte’s voice was thick with tears, though she smiled as he nodded, putting one hand to her heart. “That is why you were always so angry with me when I did not think too highly of them.”
Lord Kentmore winced, closing his eyes briefly as he stopped only a step or two away from her. “It was my arrogance, I confess. Though, thereafter, I found that my desire to please you was not solely because of my own sense of self-importance. Rather, I wanted you to think well of my work so that you felt happy, contented, delighted, satisfied, or even joyous in whatyou read. It was your happiness and contentment I found myself seeking, rather than thinking of myself – and even that unsettled me!” He took a small step closer to her, his hands going out either side of him as he shook his head. “I have broken your heart, Charlotte, and for that I cannot apologize enough. I have reveled in idiocy, losing myself in confusion, unwilling to give myself up to all that I felt, simply because I did not want to. I did not want to lose the rogue. I did not want to step into a future that was different from the one I had hoped for… and yet, when I finally realized just how much of a fool I had been, you had stepped away from me.”
A knot tied itself in Charlotte’s stomach as she took a deep breath, knowing that there was one question she had to have the answer to.
“That lady who spoke to me–”
“Lady Faustine.”
“Lady Faustine.” Charlotte pressed her lips tightly together for a moment. “Did you share a kiss with her?”
The moment that Lord Kentmore shook his head, Charlotte went weak with relief, dropping her head forward and letting out a prolonged sigh.
“She tried to press her lips to mine.” Lord Kentmore’s voice was low, and when she looked at him, the colors in his eyes seemed to grow all the more intense. “It was at that moment, thatverymoment, that I realized that my heart was changed. Normally, in the past, I would have wrapped my arms around her and reveled in the connection but instead, I felt sick at the thought of doing so. I wanted nothing more to do with her – or with any other – and I confess that I told her as much.” A tiny, rueful smile crept up one side of his mouth. “Then, when you asked me that day in your drawing room if I would be devoted to you, I did not give you a clear answer, though I found myselfdesiring to. I wanted to confess to you the waves of confusion and doubt that I had been captured by.”
“And that is why you came back to the garden,” Charlotte breathed, finding herself moving closer to him without having had any real intention of doing so. “You wanted to speak more with me.”
He nodded.
“And instead, I heard you speaking of me in such an honest way that my heart quite broke. I saw then the pain and the sorrow that I had caused you and, within myself, came that strong determination never to do that again. I went home rather than speak with you and for that, I am truly sorry.” His eyes squeezed closed for a moment. “I should have come closer to you, rather than run. Instead of lingering, I returned home, I sat at my writing desk, and I wrote and wrote and wrote – and then Lord Glenfield came in.” A quiet chuckle came from his lips. “He told me the truth, which I refused to accept at first. Once I saw that he was right, I was determined to find you, to explain everything… only Lady Faustine got to you first.” Reaching out, he took her hand in his and Charlotte moved closer still, not resisting him for even a moment. “I cannot tell you how sorry I am over all that I have done and all that you have had to endure.”
Charlotte swallowed hard, smiling gently back at him, aware of the tears that were just behind her eyes.
“You have come to the truth at last,” she whispered, as Lord Kentmore nodded fervently. “I saw the story in your poems, I followed the path that your heart has taken.”
“And it is a path which has led me to you,” he answered, his other hand going to find hers. “I do not deserve to have you beside me, Charlotte. I have known that from the very beginning of our connection, I am not worthy of you, given how beautiful, delightful, and affectionate you are, and how much of a scoundrel I have been.”
“But that does not matter to me,” Charlotte answered quickly, taking her hand from his and boldly, settling it upon his chest. “If you are true in your words, then you have turned your back upon all of that, have you not? You are going to be just as devoted to me as I am to you.”
Lord Kentmore nodded slowly and then, with his free hand, lifted it so that it rested against her cheek. His eyes searched hers, the gold flecks within them transfixing her, just as they had always done.
“I am devoted to you, Charlotte.” There was a quietness about his words, a tenderness which held a firmness with it. “I shall never turn my back on you,never.I will not go back to being a rogue but instead, I shall give you all of myself – my whole heart – and live a life of utter devotion to you.”
A single tear fell from Charlotte’s cheek as she looked back at him, with Lord Kentmore brushing it away gently with his thumb, making her smile softly.
“Kentmore.” Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment, her emotions welling up within her, crying out for her to speak. “My dear Kentmore, I have been torn asunder knowing that my heart has filled itself with an affection for you which I feared would never be returned.” Opening her eyes, she snatched in a breath as Lord Kentmore began to lower his head, a whisper of anticipation climbing up her spine. “I told myself I was a fool for falling in love with a rogue – even if he was to be my husband – but now I can say I am a fool no longer.”
A small hint of a smile danced across his lips.
“You could never be a fool, Charlotte,” he murmured, his other hand tugging away from hers but only then to wrap his arm about her waist so that she was caught up against him. “I am the fool, I assure you, who has been given more than he ever deserved.”
When he lowered his head, Charlotte was ready for him. Her lips met his, her hands slid up around his shoulders, her fingers brushing the hair at the nape of his neck. This kiss, however, was nothing like their first. There was no desperate, furious passion but instead, a sweetness, a tenderness which gently called to her. It was as though he were kissing her for the first time, as though he had never done such a thing before.
“My goodness.” Lord Kentmore breathed softly against her lips, his forehead resting against hers. “I have never kissed a lady that I am in love with before.” Another breath whispered across her cheeks. “My darling, it is more wonderful, more beautiful than anything I have ever experienced.”
Charlotte leaned her head against his shoulder, pulling herself all the more into his embrace, her heart so happy, it was overflowing with sheer joy.
“We have found our path together, it seems,” she murmured, tilting her head up so that his lips came near hers again. “Our love will lead us into a happy future, I am sure of it.”
He kissed her lightly but did not linger.
“As am I. You will marry me, Charlotte?”
Charlotte smiled up at him, marveling at just how wonderful this moment felt.
“Of course I shall… on one condition.”
