Page 96 of In Want of a Wife
Rafe peeked up, that warm crooked smile returning as soon as his eyes spotted the night sky she had slowly been painting onto the ceiling. “No pressure then.” He stepped closer. “I’m not sure where to begin.”
“At the beginning is usually best.”
“So logical.”
Lily shrugged. Her body ached to be wrapped in his arms. She had dreamt of this moment enough, certain he was well on his way across the world. She never expected he would be well on his way toward her, in her office, in the seminary she was to become headmistress of. And all because she decided to rescue herself and answer a marriage advertisement after being jilted at the altar one too many times.
“Retired?”
“I’m the proud partner of R & L Shipping. I thought it best to take a chance to claim the life I wanted. Nothing is guaranteed to us. I couldn’t re-enlist knowing I would…” He swallowed. “I didn’t wish to leave you behind.”
“I don’t understand. I thought I was clear at Cliffstone.”
“You were, and you were right to be furious with me. I onlymeant to distract Henry enough that I could make a decision for myself. I never thought that decision would lead me to you. And I certainly never thought it would bring you harm. Lily, you are everything to me. I am in London to make something of myself, to prove to myself I can be my own man.”
Thank goodness the desk was there to prop her up. Lily was certain her knees had grown weak. She brushed her hair back.
“I brought something today that belongs to you.” He held up his hand, then dashed out into the hall before returning with the familiar case.
“I sold that.”
He held her mother’s telescope out for her. “I couldn’t sleep until it was yours again.”
Her eyes burned. Oh, she hated crying. She wouldn’t do that. Lily clutched it to her chest and tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. “Thank you.”
He inched closer, his hazel eyes pinning her there against the desk. It would be a nearly impossible task to flee if she wished.
Though she didn’t.
“I love you, Lily. And I’m sorry I couldn’t trust you and allow you to love me. I didn’t wish to see you hurt. We’ve been apart, but I can’t breathe. I barely sleep and I ache to touch you. I came here to deliver your telescope and only that… but?—”
She waited, and he sucked in a deep breath. Lily reached her hand out. His fine wool jacket was soft beneath her fingers. He looked the part of a gentleman through and through, and he was standing in front of her, apologizing.
But if he had stormed into this room and kissed her, it would have worked just as well. Loving Rafe Davies was all-consuming, and she was ready to hand her heart over, for the good and bad parts of love.
Rafe edged closer and placed his hands on her hips, then quickly lifted her up onto the top of the desk.
“I love you,” she whispered.
He bent down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead as she leaned forward and rested her body against his. His heart drummed againsthis chest, and she closed her eyes, inhaling the familiar bay rum cologne. She traced her hand upward, up the warm skin of his neck, to slide back into his black, curly hair.
When she tilted her head back to gaze up at him, she was struck by his hazel eyes and the earnest love that awaited her there.
“I came here only to return that telescope, but I have something else I must ask.” He kissed her cheeks, then the top of her nose. “Lily, will you be my wife? And think hard about your answer because I have a special license. You will walk down an aisle, and I will be waiting eagerly. And you will leave with me as your husband, and I won’t ever leave you again.”
She slipped her fingers into his vest beneath his jacket, discovering the slip of paper tucked against his heart for safe keeping.
A smile played on her lips. “I was rather good at being a jilted bride.”
“Be my bride, love. Always.”
She cupped his cheeks and drew his mouth down to hers, whispering, “Yes” before kissing him well and good, and for some time.
One kiss would never be enough. But Rafe was hers, and they had a lifetime now.
CHAPTER 17
August1823
