Page 115 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
Ellen sniffed. “He was young. He didn’t mean—”
“Mother!” Leo said, also standing. “I did a reprehensible thing. To my shame, there’s nothing I can do except apologize.” He looked at Louisa sincerely. “And I deeply apologize, Louisa. I did not see how my actions would someday affect you. Can you forgive me?”
Louisa stood, embarrassed that her reputation was out in the open before her family. But everyone—except Ellen, who sulked—regarded her with compassion and understanding.
And it was enough. She looked at Leo, who still watched her with anguish. “I forgive you, Leo. We’ve all been young and foolish before.”
“Foolish?” Simon said, still focusing his anger at his brother. “He cost you so much.”
Leo looked away.
“But I know the truth now,” Louisa said, “and I will be the better for it. Some things hurt worse than others. I will go on.”
Simon took a deep breath, and she regretted her words immediately. She hadn’t mean to hurt him—or maybe she had. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“You have nothing to apologize for, my dear.” Lady Wade still reclined across her chaise lounge, looking unperturbed. “I am disappointed in Leo, it is true. But he was incorrect when he said that he could only apologize. In fact, he can make everything right again. Leo can marry you, Louisa, and restore your reputation.”
As gasps echoed around them, Louisa and Leo stared at each other in shock. Her thoughts were awhirl as, for just a moment, she actually considered it. But how could she possibly remain close to Simon, loving him as she did, and not have him? She didn’t love Leo. She’d be imposing a chasm between the brothers that might never be crossed.
Simon seemed frozen in the center of the drawing room. She couldn’t read his expression, but he didn’t protest. Did he think she would actually marry his brother? Why wasn’t he saying anything?
But Leo’s shoulders were back, his head lifted, and he was beginning to look resolute. As if he were considering the crazy idea.
Ellen recognized his expression and raised both hands in panic. “Leo, you didn’t tell anyone that you kissed her. You never lied; you don’t have to do this.”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Be quiet, Mother.”
In his own dark world, Simon could feel people all around him, but in many ways, he was alone. The thought of Louisa marrying someone else—marrying Leo—seemed incomprehensible. Simon was in love with her.
But didn’t she deserve happiness? Wouldn’t she be better off with a normal marriage to a sighted man?
Someone gently squeezed his arm, and for a moment, he didn’t know who it was. Then he remembered Georgie, who’d been sitting beside him. Was she trying to give him strength to accept what he couldn’t change?
Or strength to take his life back? How could Louisa be happier with Leo than with him?
“Louisa, you can’t be considering this,” he said suddenly, forcefully. “You are not marrying anyone but me.”
He heard whispers and murmurs and gasps, and his mother trying to speak, but being hushed.
What was Louisa’s reaction? God, if only he could see her. Did she think he was proposing out of collective family guilt?
“Louisa, come here,” he said.
He smelled the sultry scent of her a moment before her skirts swished against his legs. He let his cane drop, oriented himself by running his hands up her trembling arms, then cupping her face.
He felt her tears, wet against his fingers, and a great relief went through him. “I love you, Louisa. I’ve never met anyone with your compassion and your gift for helping people. I’d still be in my own private hell of a cave but for you. I’m done living my life by what other people think. My love isn’t about gratitude. It’s very selfish and demanding and will only be appeased if you never leave my side again.”
Her cheeks lifted in a smile and she put her hands on his waist. “I love you, Simon, and I would be proud to be your wife. You see inside me where others only see what they want to see. You make me feel so precious and loved.”
“Not damn near enough, and that will end right now.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her. She responded with the unabashed passion he so loved about her.
A man cleared his throat. “This is a lovely display,” Leo said dryly, “but you’re making a mockery of my grief, Simon.”
Louisa laughed against Simon’s lips and broke the kiss, though he wouldn’t let her leave his embrace.
“Leo,” she said, “I can see very well how relieved you are.”
Suddenly they were surrounded by people wishing them well, by laughter and pats on the back and kisses from Louisa’s happy sisters. Georgie hugged him about the neck so hard he had to pry her away to breathe. His grandmother, sounding like she might be crying, announced that the house party had turned into an engagement celebration.
