Page 64 of A Duke for Adela
She looked up at him, soaking him in and knowing she would never have enough of this wonderful man. “I love you, Ambrose.”
She released a breath and awaited his response, but her words hung heavily between them like an enormously mammoth beast just sucking up all the air.
Indeed, she did not think Ambrose was able to draw a breath.
Had he paled? It was hard to tell in the dimness of the carriage.
The prolonged silence was humiliating.
She released another breath, this one ragged as she struggled to maintain her composure. Why had she opened her big mouth and upset their amiable coexistence? “I am so sorry, I mistook the situation entirely. Seems I am book smart, but utterly stupid about men.”
She paused to sniffle and calm her breath, for how could she now take back those impulsive words? The answer was, she could not. “I thought you would be pleased to know my feelings since you seem determined to marry me despite the fact there is no need.”
“There is a need.”
“No, there never was. I could have ridden out the scandal caused by Lady Felicity Rose’s mischief.”
“And blended into the wallpaper again?”
She nodded.
“No, you could not.” He hauled her onto his lap and kissed her with surprising fervor. “You are no drab thing, Adela. Do you have any idea how brightly you shine?” he said in a husky murmur, still holding her gathered in his arms after ending the kiss. “I hoped you would come to care for me in time.”
She sniffled again and laughed. “Come to care for you? I am in a headlong tumble. I loved you within five minutes of meeting you,” she admitted. “It is possible I loved you before ever meeting you because Ifeltyou in my bones the moment I walked into the Huntsford Academy and browsed the spectacular exhibits and your library. I knew at once the man who created all this had to be someone special. Even though you were furious with me for knocking you over, I could not help thinking you were the handsomest and most extraordinary man alive.”
He kissed again, this time softly on the lips.
She sensed he wanted to say something to her, but he was obviously struggling to find his own words. When none came, she rested her head against his shoulder. Her mind was more at ease now that he had not pushed her out of the carriage or railed at her for daring to embarrass him.
But anger and cruelty were not in his nature.
He was incredibly considerate and would never say anything hurtful to her.
He was also incredibly honest.
This was likely the reason he had remained silent and not responded with anI love youback to her because he was not going lie about his feelings and make her hope for possibilities that could never be at this early stage of their acquaintance. However, he could have said something. Anything. Perhaps gently reminded her it was too soon for them to know their feelings for each other.
It did not matter.
She had put him on the spot, completely caught him by surprise.
To his credit, he seemed to have reconciled himself to her revelation and was being very gentle with her.
Perhaps she ought to have stopped talking, but she could not seem to stop herself. The silence between them, even though his touch was kind and caressing, was unbearable to her. “I know I may appear to be single-minded in my pursuit of Runyon, but that is not so. I am constantly thinking of our wedding plans and forcing myself to believe they are real and not some cruel hoax. You are a king of the swans and I am a common goose who somehow got shoved in among the flock of female swans who adoringly trail you. How can we possibly be a good fit? Me a nobody and you a duke?”
She shook her head and glanced up. “This is why such matches are frowned upon in Society, is it not? Dukes do not marry so far beneath their station, do they? Not that your title has any significance beyond it being a part of who you are. There is so much more to you than merely your title. Oh, stop me from talking. I have said too much…more than enough.”
“Adela, we have arrived.” He pointed out the window toward Mr. Barrow’s office. “We’ll continue this conversation later.”
She nodded.
What was he thinking now? That she had opened her mouth and revealed feelings he hoped never to hear again?
He could not climb out of the carriage fast enough, obviously relieved to have an end to this conversation.
But he tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and surprised her by keeping hold of her hand once they settled beside each other in Mr. Barrow’s office.
Was this not a brazen show of affection on his part?
