Page 68 of A Love to Remember
“Lucky?” She pushed at his chest and eyed him suspiciously. “You are not angry?”
“Do I look angry?” He kissed her again, smiling like a cat that’d discovered a pail of cream. “No, I’m not angry.” Then his smile faded. “But I will regret until the day I die the fact that you were afraid to tell me such wonderful news. I will grovel for as long as you want me to. It should have been the happiest moment in our relationship, and I took that joy from you. Will you forgive me?”
Didn’t he understand? “But you will have to marry me now, unless—” Her smile died and she shoved out of his arms. “Or do you think you can treat me as you have Faith? That I’ll conveniently marry another, so as not to shame you?”
“What?” His look of confusion irritated her more. “What has Faith got to do with anything? And no, by God, you will not be marrying anyone but me.”
Now she was incensed on Faith’s behalf as well as her own. “How can you ask what Faith has to do with it? She’s the other woman carrying your child.”
For a breath, Philip looked completely blank. Then he burst out laughing. When he laughed so hard he nearly rolled off the bed, her temper got the better of her. She shoved him hard, sending him tumbling to the floor with a crash.
And still the wretched man laughed.
She crawled to the edge and glared down at him. “I don’t think it is at all funny.”
“Oh, Rose.” Philip rolled onto his knees. “My darling, Faith is not carrying my child. I have no idea who the father of her child is—probably one of the customers at the brothel Maxwell saved her from.”
Brothel? Oh, no! Rose sat back, torn between joy and embarrassment. She’d been right when she’d told Faith that Philip was a kind man. She’d been wrong when she’d thought he had betrayed her.
Philip crawled back onto the bed and knelt before her, all laughter silenced. “How could you possibly think I needed any other woman when I had you?” He reached out and cradled her face in his palm. “You. My bright, courageous, flirtatious, warm, sensual,beautifulRose.”
He thought she was courageous. “Probably because you did not wish to marry me,” she said, trying to sound haughty.
“I was a fool.” He gave her that smile, the one that turned her inside out. “An imbecile. A chump.” His smile died. “Once again I’ve made a muck of everything. I was arrogant enough to think that I was solely responsible for Robert’s death. And you were correct that day when you challenged me about Robert. I did not believe I deserved to be happy. I thought that I was benefiting from my brother’s death—a death to which I had in some way contributed. But now I realize I need to find a way to live with that guilt. Being a martyr changes nothing.”
That sounded hopeful. “So what will you do?”
He moved until there was barely an inch separating them. Rose was sure she could hear the steady beating of his heart. “And now I realizewhyRobert did what he did. He died for the love of another. He died because he loved me. It made me realize that, without those we love, life is not worth living. I will serve, protect, and cherish those I love. That is how I can best honor my brother.
“I’m ashamed it took almost losing you to make me understand the truth—that love is all that matters, and the greatest part of ourselves that we can give to another. Even were you not carrying my child, I would beg for your hand in marriage, because I love you more than anything or anyone in this world.”
Then he kissed her.
It started out gentle, but soon turned to want, need, and passion. She tasted his desperation, his regret, but most of all, his love. It was his way of showing her he meant every word.
She put everything she had into the kiss. She hoped it would never end.
And then her stomach growled.
They broke apart laughing.
“I think we should eat,” Philip said. “You’ll need your strength for tonight when I show you just how much I love you.”
She giggled like an excited young girl. “I shall look forward to wearingyouout first.”
He winked and moved off the bed. “Either way I win.”
It was as though they had never been apart. Love flowed between them as comfortable as the silky robe he lifted onto her shoulders. As warm as his smile.
He led her to the small table Wilson had set up in the bedchamber. It was covered with her favorite dishes.
Philip held out a chair for her, waited until she was seated, and then took the one opposite her. “As soon as the snow clears we will head to London. Drake needs to hear the news from us, and we want him with us when we marry by special license.” He smiled across at her—and, to her surprise, proceeded to pour her a cup of tea. “I want my family together.”
Tears pricked behind her eyes. “Thank you. That’s perfect. Drake already loves you as much as I do.”
“I love the boy, too. I shall take a petition to the chancery to have Kirkwood removed as Drake’s legal guardian, and—with your permission—I’d be honored to take on the role.”
“I would like that very much.” She pinched herself. “This seems like a dream. I’m so happy. I love you so much.”
