Page 48 of A Fake Courtship with the Duke
Anne scoffed with delighted incredulity as a smile crept across her face.
“Richard,” whispered, shaking her head in gentle disbelief. “I… yes. I do love you. I am madly in love with you. I just never dreamed that you felt the same. I wanted to tell you beforethis evening. I was just so afraid that you wouldn’t return my affections.”
Richard laughed, stepping closer and touching her face again.
“Not only do I return your affections, but I revel in them,” he said. This time, as he projected his voice, it seemed as though it was from joy and delight. “And it doesn’t matter that you didn’t tell me sooner. All that matters is that you’ve told me now, and I’ve told you how I feel. Now, there’s only one matter left to attend to.”
Anne blinked, tilting her head in confusion.
“Oh?” she asked. Her mind was still spinning with the wild events of the evening. She couldn’t imagine what he meant. But despite everything he had just said to her, she never could have expected what he did next.
Richard nodded with another wink. Then, he moved to stand beside, rather than in front of, her, still holding her hand gently as he turned to face her parents and sister.
“I do sincerely apologise for having deceived you,” he said. “And before esteemed members of the ton, I accept full responsibility for any scandal brought upon your name, should such issues arise. I hope you can forgive me, Lord and Lady Huxley.”
Anne watched as her parents exchanged glances. Her mother’s mouth was still open, and the viscount gestured to his own chin to urge her to close it. She did at last in the way of trying to say something to Richard, but it seemed as if words had failed her, as well. The viscount, however, looked at Richard with a stunned gaze. Anne had no idea what he was about to say. She just hoped he wouldn’t be too hard on Richard.
“I must say this is a highly irregular situation,” he said. His words were firm, but his eyes were still filled with confusion.“However, as a gentleman, I feel it is only appropriate to offer forgiveness whenever forgiveness is sought.”
Richard grinned, glancing at Anne before continuing.
“Thank you, my lord,” he said, bowing. “That means the world to me. But what would mean even more would be if you would grant me your blessing to marry Anne.”
It was Anne’s turn to gasp, but it was drowned out by the collective gasp of those standing around them. Anne cast a glance at Richard, her gaze widened in astonishment, her bosom aflutter with such intensity that it could have rivalled a spirited stallion galloping across the countryside. She took a deep breath, looking at her sister, who was covering her mouth with both her hands and staring wide-eyed at the two of them.
The viscountess looked as though she might swoon, but she remained silent as she exchanged an uncertain glance with her husband. Clearly, they had been as stunned by Richard’s confession as Anne had been. Would they grant their blessing? Or would they be so angry that they sent her away to a convent or disowned her?
The viscount looked at Anne as several emotions flashed across his face. But to her surprise, disappointment was no longer one of them. He studied her for a long moment before looking back to Richard, sighing heavily.
“This is a very strange situation,” he said again. “I don’t think I would have believed your love for my daughter, had I not heard it for myself. But I have, and I have heard your affections returned by Anne. Thus, I give you my blessing to marry her whenever you wish.”
Richard’s grin grew so wide that Anne thought it would touch his ears. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he bowed to the viscount again.
“Thank you very much, Lord Huxley,” he said with deep gratitude. “You are a good, honorable, respectable man. I amhumbled, both to become part of your family and for the opportunity to love Anne for the rest of our days.”
To Anne’s surprise, her father bowed in return to Richard, giving him a small but genuine smile. He said nothing, but when he looked at Anne, his smile got a little bigger.
Richard then offered his arm to Anne, looking at her with the love that she had observed in his eyes since he began speaking to her that evening.
“If it would be agreeable to both of you, I would humbly request a private audience with Anne," he expressed. He was addressing her parents once more, but this time, he didn’t take his eyes off Anne.
The viscountess spoke then, the spell of the whirlwind of events finally breaking.
“I will consent to this request,” she said with a tremble in her voice. “But only if her lady’s maid acts as a chaperone.”
Richard smiled, bowing to her as he had her husband moments before and nodded.
“Of course, Lady Huxley,” he said. “I understand perfectly.”
The viscountess nodded, motioning for Martha, who rushed forward through a cluster of people right behind Anne’s parents. With her following behind, Richard led Anne to the same place where Susan and she had been talking before Lord Gray tried to ruin their night. However, once they were well out of sight of everyone else, Martha gave Anne a wink and ducked behind a row of hedges, disappearing from view. Anne blushed, silently thanking her lady’s maid. Then, she smiled shyly at Richard, who took her hand once again.
“Well, I certainly did not expect such an eventful evening,” she said softly. “Did you mean all the things you said? Do you truly love and want to marry me?”
Richard gently pulled her so close that their bodies touched. He cupped her face in his hand and slowly brought his mouth toward hers.
“Does this answer your question?” he asked, his voice husky and filled with an intensity that made Anne’s knees weak. Her heart quickened with anticipation, the moment seeming to move in slow motion. Their lips met just as the sky above them burst into a grand display of fireworks. Richard had meant every word. His kiss left no trace of doubt.
Epilogue
