Page 85 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
“There’s more? You are suddenly very talkative, my lord.”
“Because you are hard to persuade. As for your concerns about fitting in, you will see that for every arrogant diamond who looks down her nose at you, there are a dozen frightened debutantes who will adore you because of your kind heart.”
She appeared to be taking in his words, but he could not tell if she was persuaded or still irritated with him. “Stop fidgeting in the saddle or you’ll fall, Viola.”
“But I want to walk beside you.”
“Why? Because you are ready to admit you love me? Or merely because of appearances?”
She sighed. “You are holding the reins and my bundles while I am seated upon your horse. This sight will have tongues wagging.”
“That may be so, assuming anyone sees us. But if this is your only reason, then I am not letting you off Caligula. I’ll fix any gossip if it proves to be a problem.”
“You are quite highhanded.”
“I know.”
“As for fixing gossip, you may be able to frighten people into keeping quiet, but you cannot stop them from thinking the worst.”
“This is where you are wrong. It is an easy fix.”
“How?”
“You’ll kick me in the head if I tell you what I would do.”
“No, I won’t. Why must you be so irritating about it? Just tell me how you will arrange it.”
“I have already told you and got punched in the nose for it. My intention is to make you my viscountess. Marriage is the remedy. How’s that for being clear?”
She dismounted and came to stand in front of him with her hands on her hips. “Do not say another word about that foolish proposal. You are the reason my sleep was so troubled last night. Every time you open your mouth, you make it worse.”
He grinned. “Not quite the words of love I hoped to hear.”
She rolled her eyes. “Nor will you ever hear them from me. I am your cook, not some fine lady. One of us has to be logical about this situation.”
“I do not see a situation.”
“Youkissedme last night.”
He cast her an affectionate smile. “You kissed me back.”
“This is what has upset me most. I respondedpassionately,” she said with a whispered emphasis on the last word as though it was something sinful. “Dear heaven, what you must think of me.”
She was obviously distressing herself.
He had found her response delightful.
Did she not understand he was completely in love with her?
Irrevocably and eternally.
“Yes, Viola. You are the most sinful, wanton creature I have ever encountered,” he said in obvious jest, but when he glanced at her, she looked to be in agony. “I was merely being sarcastic. I’ve told you before, you are the sweetest thing imaginable. Liking my kisses does not change that.”
“But now, you think you can come to me whenever you want to be kissed. This is not what I am or ever want to be. I will not be yourchippie.”
“My what?” He would have laughed out loud had he not been aware of how much his attentions were upsetting her. “You are my angel, Viola. A rather deaf angel because you refuse to acknowledge what it is I am really offering you. I would not hurt you for the world. How many ways must I say this? I intend to marry you, if you’ll have me.”
“Dear heaven, stop saying this. Can you not see it–”
