Page 34 of The Duke I Wished For
For several minutes, they didn’t say a word. Instead, she enjoyed the feel of his large hand clasping her waist, his strength as he took purposeful strides about the dance floor, and the intimate air that seemed to surround them.
She drew in a deep breath, hoping to preserve this moment when his voice cut through her hesitation. “It’s all right if you don’t wish to wed me.”
She gasped, surprise making her lips part. “What?”
“I mean, I’ll be disappointed, but if you don’t wish to be my wife, I would always respect your choices.”
“Is that what you think?” She’d just kissed him. Her first ever. How could he think that she didn’t want him? But then again, she hadn’t actually talked about much of anything…other than embroidery.
Silly girl, she chastised herself.
“I’ve spoken of marriage twice.” His features tightened, the skin around his eyes growing pained and tight. “And you’ve not answered…yet.”
“Oh. I haven’t. I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head. “It’s all right. There is more I need to say anyway, but I just wanted you to know before I begin that I’ll understand no matter what you choose.”
She tried to reply but she was just so… How did this man do it? Just when she thought he might not be any more perfect, he proved her wrong. “Blake.”
He shook his head. “Clarissa told me that I needed to share all sorts of things. And I’ve done a poor job of saying most of them.”
Daffodil knew that she needed to be the one to share her feelings, but curiosity got the better of her for a moment. “What did she tell you to say?”
“Well,” he smiled then, looking so painfully handsome that she could barely breathe. “She told me to tell you you’re pretty, for starters.”
“Accomplished,” she laughed.
“And to share that I liked your company, as does she. A great deal, in fact.”
Daffodil felt her heart rise into her throat. “I like your company too.” They were building toward some confession and fear filled her once again. This was her chance to be strong for him, and she needed to take that opportunity. She snapped her shoulders straighter, holding his gaze. “I like your company too, Blake. In fact, I more than like it.”
He slowed his steps, looking down at her curiously. “Do you?”
“I do,” she answered, drawing in a fortifying gulp of air.
“Then why didn’t you want your mother to see us together?” He sounded hurt and she gasped to think that she’d wounded him in some way.
“Because…” She squeezed his biceps. “I’d never let my mother force your hand. If you wish to marry me, then that is one thing, but I’d never allow you to fall prey to my mother’s scheming.”
First surprise and then warmth filled his eyes. “That is most thoughtful of you.”
She took a long deep breath. “There’s more.”
“Is there?” But his eyes now danced with amusement as he stared down at her.
“There is.” Her fingers dug into his muscles as though his strength would seep into her if only she held tightly enough.
“Tell me.”
They were still dancing but they must have been moving at half the speed of the other dancers. Her teeth caught her lip as she looked up at him. “I greatly appreciated your proposal.”
Some of his mirth disappeared. “It wasn’t my finest work, though, I must confess. I’m not the best with feelings and expressing them. I’ve never had to before.”
That took her by surprise. “But you were married.”
Blake slowly shook his head. “I was. To a very good woman who had excellent embroidery skills.”
She winced. Yes. His first wife had lovely stitching, the sort Daffodil would never have, not if she practiced all of her lifetime. “Did she have a wonderful dowry and perfect connections?”
