Page 103 of The Moonstone Pirate
She nodded. “The butterfly clips are beautiful.”
“So are you, Imogen. Yes, we make a good team.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the cheek. “But you know I am not going to make any serious commitment to you before my assignment is put to rest.”
She bowed her head and nodded, no doubt to hide her disappointment. “Yes, of course. Just know that I shall be waiting for you when that day comes. There is no one else for me, Draco. You call me a butterfly, but my heart does not flit from beau to beau. It belongs to you alone and always will.”
He groaned. “Imogen, don’t start this conversation now.”
“Why not?” She caressed his injured arm, careful to avoid the area of the stitches. “After today’s scare, I should think it is more important than ever to be truthful with each other. Anything can happen to us at any time. I am not even talking of the dangers of your assignment. Accidents happen, and they can come upon us out of nowhere and completely innocently. Why must things be left unsaid between us? Oh, you are an earl and must be careful about everything you say and do. Truly, I understand.”
He took hold of her hand. “I know you do, Imogen.”
“Which is why I will not press you, but I hope you will reconsider. Words of love should not be left unsaid. This is why I am going to tell you how I feel. It is important for you to know.”
He gave her hand a light squeeze. “Imogen, I know how you feel about me.”
She shook her head. “But I still would like to say it to you.”
“You are a little angel. I feel every ounce of your sincerity and sweetness every time I see you. I know you love—”
“No! I must say it to you first! Don’t say it for me.”
He grinned because she appeared so determined. If this was so important to her, then so be it. He knew her feelings because she was incapable of hiding anything from him. This was Imogen, all in with her heart, and ready to expose it even though it might be crushed.
He would never hurt her. How could he possibly be so cruel to his butterfly?
“All right, then—say it.”
She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I love you, Draco. I feel such joy whenever I am around you. I need to tell you this because…because if things do not go right tomorrow, then I don’t want you ever to wonder about whether I had feelings for you.”
He struggled not to laugh. Every blessed thing his little butterfly felt for him shone in her expressive face.
To his surprise, it felt remarkably good to hear the words spill from her lips.
“So, Draco…if there is something you wish to say to me, then now is a good time to get it off your chest.”
“Imogen, you are worried about the Irishman. But I assure you, he is not going to hurt me. Let’s look at your horse sketches before your family interrupts us.”
“That’s it?” The books were by her side, and she looked so sad as she reached for one. “Never mind the sketches. I just told you that I am in love with you. Do you not care?”
“Of course I care. But you did not need to tell me anything because I never doubted how you felt. The truth was always there in your smile and the glow in your eyes. What would you do if I said the same to you?”
“Be happy.”
“And what if tomorrow I did not make it through this assignment, Imogen? You would be shattered. You would spend the rest of your days as a spinster surrounded by cats, your heart pledged to a fading memory of the man who once told you that he loved you.”
“Draco! It would be a memory ofyou. Is that not significant?”
“No, and I do not want you to live out your days in a house full of cats.” He shook his head and sighed. “I know how you think. Your heart has room for only one man. Do not make me that man yet. If things go badly at any point in this assignment, you need to move on and find your happiness.”
She looked so forlorn, she made his heart ache. “Without you, Draco?”
“Yes, without me.” He groaned and closed his eyes a moment. “I am exhausted and do not want to be worrying about you.”
She inhaled lightly. “You must never worry about me. My family will always look after me. I’m sorry I said anything to you. I thought it was the right moment. But I can see I have only added to your troubles. You are going to tell me that you are fine, but I can see you are hurting. Will you please take some of the laudanum Dr. Hewitt gave you?”
“No, it will just leave me foggy.” He glanced toward the house. “I think I hear your aunt and uncle returning with their little boys.”
“Those little stomping elephants, you mean?” Her eyes warmed despite her obvious disappointment.
