Page 61 of Healing the Duke's Desires
Summoning all her courage, Emily burst through the door, her heart beating wildly as she faced her father and Alexander. She had only one chance to make things right, to prevent what could be a tragedy for everyone involved.
“Father, please,” she began, her voice quavering with fear as well as determination. “I beg you to hear reason. We can find a way to resolve this without violence.”
Her father turned his attention to her, shocked to see her interrupting in such a manner. “Emily, this is a matter between men,” he urged her, his voice laced with anger. She knew he held mostly Alexander responsible for all of this, but she was to blame, too. She had made her choices, and now, seeing Alexander here, she was determined to accept as much blame as was dealt to him.
“No!” she exclaimed, refusing to be pushed aside again. “I stood obediently while you made choices on my behalf, deciding that I should marry the marquess. I didn’t say a thing. It was again like you said, a matter between men. But I know now that this is wrong. You are determining my future now, just like you were determining my future before, and I refuse to stand aside any longer.”
Her father’s anger was momentarily quelled by this monologue. The truth was that neither of the two men had expected it. Even Emily herself had no idea where this defiance had come from, but it was all honest-to-God truth. She was speaking from the heart, and she refused to be silenced.
“Emily, this is a matter of honor,” her father reminded her.
“No.” Emily refused to acknowledge this explanation again. “It is not about honor. It is about my life, my happiness and my choices. Just like before, I choose Alexander. He has always been my choice, and I will never regret anything I have done out of love for him.”
At that moment, Alexander took a step forward, following Emily’s courageous act, his gaze never wavering as he addressed Emily’s father.
“Lord Ashfordshire, I confess that I have been a fool,” he said. “For far too long, I clung to the memory of my late wife, allowing it to blind me to the happiness that stood right in front of me.” He turned to Emily, his eyes filled with the depth of his feelings. “Emily, you are the love I never knew I was searching for. You’ve shown me what it means to live and love again. My heart beats for you, and I can see my future intertwined with yours.”
Emily was taken aback by what she had just heard. She couldn’t believe her ears. Her mind needed a moment to process everything, to make sure it wasn’t all just a wonderful dream she would wake up from any moment. Still unable to speak, she merely gazed at him lovingly, wondering what she had done to deserve this happiness.
Emily’s father grumbled, clearly torn between his protective instincts and the undeniable sincerity in Alexander’s words.
“I see you for the man you are, Lord Ashfordshire.” Alexander turned his attention to Emily’s father once more.
“A stern but just father, protective of his family’s honor. I have only the deepest respect for you. I know my actions have wronged not only Emily, but your entire family. And I wish to set things right, to do what I was supposed to do from the start after meeting your daughter, but I was too weak to admit my own feelings and act upon them as a true gentleman ought to.”
Emily’s heart felt as if it would burst at the seams. Her father turned to her.
“Emily, if this is truly your heart’s desire, if this man has proven this love and dedication to you in a way that satisfies you, then… I shall give my blessing for your union.”
Emily couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Before she could say anything, her father added, “In light of everything that has happened, the wedding should take place as soon as possible.”
Alexander turned to Emily and replied with a grateful smile. “I see no problem with that.”
Emily returned the smile, overwhelmed by a sudden desire to wrap her arms around him and feel his lips on hers once again, a promise of a future that they could now build together. But this was not the moment for kissing, so she did her best to control her desires.
“In that case, you may come tomorrow, so we can discuss the details.” Lord Ashfordshire hesitated before approaching Alexander and offering him his hand. “Do not think that I have accepted this lightly. But I know my daughter. I can see the love she has for you. Treat her well, and you will win my respect and friendship.”
Alexander took the offered hand and shook it reassuringly. “I will dedicate my life to assuring the happiness and well-being of your daughter, Lord Ashfordshire.”
“Make sure you do so.” The man nodded, then pulled his hand away. “I will leave you for a brief moment, with the door open, so you can apologize to my daughter for the distress you have caused her. After this, I expect you to find your own way out, Your Grace. You shall be welcomed tomorrow at the same time.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Alexander said respectfully, and they both knew what this meant. They were granted a few solitary moments together, something that was usually not permitted. Even Emily was stunned to hear her father would allow this, but the last thing she wanted to do right now was question her good fortune.
Upon those words, Lord Ashfordshire left the drawing room, and Emily locked eyes with Alexander, not knowing where to start.
Chapter 35
Alexander had to do this. He couldn’t control himself. Not even the threat of a duel would have stopped him from wrapping his arms around Emily’s waist and pulling her closer to him. The desire was too great, especially now that he had finally accepted his own emotions instead of continuing to fight them stubbornly, making himself miserable in the process.
In the private sanctum of the drawing room, Alexander and Emily found themselves enveloped in a world of their own, a world where the weight of their trials and the tumultuous emotions that had marked their journey could be set aside, if only for a moment.
Their lips met in a tender, lingering kiss, a soft melody of passion and affection. It was a kiss born of countless stolen glances and unspoken words, a culmination of the love they had kept hidden for far too long.
Emily’s arms wrapped around Alexander, pulling him close, her heart racing as his touch sent shivers down her spine. His hands cradled her face, gentle and loving, as if assuring her that this moment was real, that they were meant to be.
The kiss deepened, an unspoken vow exchanged through the language of their hearts. It was a dance of vulnerability and trust, a silent pledge of love that bloomed in the depths of their souls.
