Page 117 of Sense and Suitability
Another laugh shook free from her. “Simon, this—how is this even possible?”
“It’s quite simple.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to an intimate timbre. “If you don’t marry me, my family may revolt and lock me out of Ravenscross for the rest of my life. Believe me, Lottie and even Will are not to be underestimated.”
The slightest crook in his grin pulled her attention to his lips, and her throat went dry. When her eyes met his again, his expression had shifted, the teasing giving way to something deeper, rawer.
He breached the distance between them and slid one palm across her cheek, the pad of his thumb trailing over her lips. “Will you let me love you for all the days of our lives, Emmeline Lockhart?”
The heat building in her eyes liquified, and in one swift movement, he captured her mouth with his. She melted against him as his arms pulled her nearer, encapsulating her. Oh, she’d dreamed of another kiss. Another opportunity to relish the feel of his lips against hers.
And this time, she was ready—ready to embrace the moment and all that came with it. Her hand fisted the front of his coat while the other ventured upward, tracing the firm plane of his chest to the strong line of his jaw. His breath caught as her fingers brushed the curve of his ear, and a deliciously deep sound escaped him when her hand slid into the soft waves of his hair.
No fantasy could compare to this—the reality of his lips, his strength, his scent. The romance of paper and ink, no matter how eloquent, held no candle to the fiery truth of him.
He broke the kiss first, his forehead resting gently against hers as their breaths mingled in the air.
It was all too... much.
Her fingers trailed from his hair to his cheek. A smile she’d kept locked away for too long finally bloomed, accompanied by a quiet, almost disbelieving chuckle. “What happened to change things? I’m still an author, and your aunt...”
“She’s reevaluated her priorities and found them misdirected.” He brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. “And once I was free to act, I went directly to your father. Not only did he give his blessing, but he also supplied explicit directions to the Spencers’ house. I must say, he was remarkably efficient.”
A laugh bubbled up from her, lighter than she’d felt in weeks. “Efficient, was he?”
“Indeed. As we shall have to be as well, given the need for frugality. But if you’re willing—”
“I’m willing,” she interrupted, rocking up on tiptoe to touch her lips to his. “Happily willing.”
Her brief touch must not have been enough for him, for his arms pulled her in once again to indulge in another lingering taste of her lips. Her hold on his coat likely prolonged the delightful embrace longer than he’d originally intended, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“And Simon,” she began, her fingers smoothing over the fabric of his lapel, as his mouth breathed another kiss against her temple. “I do have some funds of my own, other than my dowry. It’s not much compared to an estate, but it may help.”
His lips took a gentle detour to her cheek, then her ear. “Do you?”
Her eyes flickered closed at the blissful caresses, his whisper so close to her neck, it shot a fire of tingles over her skin. She’d never known such delightful flutterings. Her fingers fisted his coat again, more to stay upright than anything else. She waded through her blurry thoughts to rediscover what she’d said. “Yes,” she breathed, as his lips found her jawline. “I... I have almost three thousand pounds in the funds.”
He jerked back, his eyes wide. “Did you say you have three thousand pounds in the funds?”
“And I’m assured of more with a fourth book,” she admitted, her uncertain smile gaining more confidence in the light of his appreciation. Perhaps three thousand proved impressive, even for a viscount? “And continued royalties from the first three.”
“Three thousand...” He gave his head a shake before reexamining her. “Why on earth didn’t you mention this sooner?”
“Because to reveal the funds, I would have had to reveal my writing. Without assurance of a future with you, I... I never thought of them as a solution.”
“It’s extraordinary, Emme. What a testament to your brilliance.” His palms rose to cradle her shoulders and his expression sobered. “But we can’t use that money for Ravenscross. It’s yours, and I want it to remain yours. You earned it.”
“But if itismine,” she countered, her own hint of mischief curving her smile, “then I may do with it as I please. And I chooseus. If Ravenscross is to become my home, then I want to be a part of its restoration.”
His laughter was warm as he rested his forehead against hers once more. “You have been reforming Ravenscross—and me—long before tonight.”
“Then let us finish the work together.” She tugged on his coat, drawing him closer. “As man and wife?”
“My new favorite phrase,” he murmured, capturing her lips again, lingering with caresses both gentle and searching.Heaven and earth, she loved him!
As they began the walk back to the house, her hand tucked securely in his, he glanced at her, his lips curving into a crooked grin. “I feel as though we’ve come full circle.”
“Do you?”
“Indeed. I had intended to propose to you in a garden two years ago.” He waved toward the space of flowers and hedgerows. “And now, you’ve proposed to me in one.”
