Page 16 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
He let her hand go and her warm feeling dissipated. He ran his fingers through his hair and uttered, “I don’t know why. I just know I need to make you mine.”
His admission of those feelings was a start. Listening to him talk about his father told her one thing. He wasn’t marrying her for money. If he wanted her money, he would not have shared these confidences, because he had honorably warned her that his heart, at this point in time, was not his to give. Could she risk her heart in return? The reward if he came to love her would be worth the risk.
“Then yes, I will agree to accompany you to the Valentine’s Day ball.”
“You understand what that will signal to all there? That you are seriously considering my suit?”
“I do. So don’t let me down. I want a chance to see if the feelings I have for you are real. I want the chance to see if you could ever open your heart to me. So, don’t take this honor I have bestowed for granted. Or I will never marry you.”
Once again, he took her hand in his and pressed his lips to her knuckles. A flare of heat swept through her body, and she wished those lips would kiss her. When she let her eyes travel to meet his, she blushed. He understood her want to be kissed, and he reveled in his power until she added, “There is one other condition.” His eyes narrowed. “Every day you will share one confidence with me.” At his raised eyebrow, she continued. “You will share with me something personal about your past, or something you are looking forward to in the future. I want to know you better before I tie my life up with yours.”
He nodded slowly. “That sounds reasonable. But I want you to return the favor.”
She smiled. “I can do that.”
“Good. I’ve already shared tonight. Now it’s your turn.” Without letting her reply, he asked, “Were you ever serious about letting Fencourt court you this season?”
She inwardly smiled. He was jealous. Jealousy was a mixed emotion. It could be born from many causes, one of which was tender feelings, not just ownership. She doubted Devlin wanted to own her. It wasn’t in his nature. So, her heart did a jig in her chest because his jealousy was most likely from genuine feelings for her.
“No. He is far too young to know his mind on marriage. Besides, I like him, but he does not stir me as much as a simple smile from you does.” She was rewarded for her honesty. Devlin’s eyes flamed with heat and his gaze fell to her lips. Who wanted to kiss whom now?
“I’ll collect you tomorrow night. I shall have Rosemary and Mother with me as a chaperon.” Before she could reply, Hawthorne was standing to take his leave. Devlin joined him and she could not hear what was discussed, but the two men shook hands.
She smiled over at Rosemary, but her friend only had eyes for Hawthorne. She hoped the young man wouldn’t hurt Rosemary. Then it suddenly occurred to her that perhaps her friend thought that about Dharma and her brother.
Why was love such a risk? Probably because a love lost leads to pain, and because it involved trust, and trust was fragile. So easily broken and so difficult to restore.
Did she trust Devlin? The man perhaps, but his heart no.
Philippa took Devlin’s chair. “That seemed quite the conversation.”
“Marriage is a serious business.”
“Should it be?” At Dharma’s blank look, Philippa continued. “I knew I wanted to marry your brother the moment I met him. One smile and he owned my heart.”
“A smile can hide many faults.”
She laughed. “So true. Your brother’s annoying habit of finishing sentences for everyone.” Then her smile faded. “He might have owned my heart, but I made sure we would suit each other before I married him. I’m not foolish, and neither are you. I like that you’re taking your time. Seeing how society views this arrangement. But ultimately, if the relationship is right for you, nothing else should matter. Not what Tobin thinks, not what Devlin thinks, and certainly not what society thinks.”
“It will be what I think.”
Philippa nodded. “Good. Now it’s time we took our leave. We have the Valentine’s Ball tomorrow and it will be a very late night. You’ll want to look and feel your best to face theton.”
“How did you know I was going with Devlin?”
“What else would you two be talking about so earnestly?”
“You don’t think it’s too rash?”
“No. I think it’s sensible. You’ll learn if you can love him enough to forgo society’s adoration, which I’m pretty sure you’ll lose by marrying him.”
“Tobin has made that perfectly clear.”
“You still seemed troubled by that.”
She shook her head. “Not at all. It’s just sad that Devlin will spend his life looking for answers that perhaps are not there.”
Philippa leaned forward and took her hand. “Then you’ll have to give him something else to focus on. Love, children, a home.”
