Page 74 of Bargaining for the Barrister
He reluctantly nodded. “The details will be arranged when we return to Rothbrier Hall.”
Logan blew out his breath. “Isa? Is this what you want?”
She looked up at Paul. “I had hoped, but I am a little caught off guard.”
“You shouldn’t be,” Paul said, barely holding back his grin. “You told me if I touched you again, you’d force me to marry you.”
His mother began coughing. Oh yes. She was still in the room. Ian looked as if he were seeing a stranger in Paul’s clothes.
“I won’t force you, Paul,” Louisa said, breaking the awkward silence. “You know I could never do that.”
Logan inched forward in his seat. “I will if you don’t.”
“As you both should,” Paul said. Louisa hadn’t accepted him yet, but he wasn’t giving up. “Especially since I have every intention to keep kissing her.” Before Mr. Cox could leap from his seat and box him, Paul quickly added, “In lieu of congratulations, I must ask you to receive my thanks instead. I needed your interference, as meddlesome as it was. For otherwise, I might have missed the greatest blessing of my life.”
Louisa dipped her head, and he could only hope it was with tears of joy. “But, please, I must beg caution in any future matchmaking attempts. Too much could have gone wrong, and your mistakes could have been irreversible. I cannot let my friends be subjected to anything that could harm them.”
His mother put her handkerchief to her eyes. “I promise, son. We will be more careful.”
Lady Kellen nodded. “I do as well.”
“Don’t look at me,” Logan said. “I want nothing to do with the business.”
Ian huffed. “You’re not the only one.”
Ian was well on his way to accepting Paul and Louisa together, but Paul knew it would take him time to prepare himself for them to take such a step. He glanced at Louisa, and his confidence wavered. He’d been so sure after their kiss that she wouldn’t refuse him, but now... “Louisa, I would like to speak with you privately for a moment.”
“I cannot allow that!” her brother said, jumping to his feet.
Paul stepped forward, standing eye to eye with Logan. “Remember, I am the one who stopped Mr. Turner from taking advantage of your sister and sent away Mr. Davies, who has earned a reputation on Bow Street. I think she is safer with me than she is with you.” He hadn’t meant to sound so defensive, so harsh, but Louisa was to be his wife, if she would have him, and he did not take that responsibility lightly.
Logan growled and drew back his fist.
Louisa dove for her brother’s arm. “It’s all right, Logan.” She gave Paul a confused glance but gently pushed Logan back toward his seat.
Paul took her hand before she could change her mind, relishing the feel of her again, and tugged her toward the door. He hadn’t planned any of this, so he looked both ways down the corridor, wondering where to get a quiet moment with her. Outside? They’d just left several servants tending to the horses, and he didn’t want to give them a show. In the other direction was the dining room and the music room beyond that.
He pulled her past the dining room, deciding on the less-frequented music room. The matchmaking mamas had little use for it now. Once he and Louisa entered, he closed the door behind him and turned to face her. His bravery had quickly petered out, so he hoped she would go easy on him.
Instead of happiness in her eyes, he was greeted by wariness.
“Louisa.” He picked up her other hand. “About those swimming lessons.”
Chapter 31
Louisa gaped. She’d hoped forhim to say he wanted to be married of his own will, but she hadn’t expected to discuss swimming lessons again.
A nervous smile played on his lips. “Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind about me.”
She frowned. “Are you qualified?” Swimming wasn’t exactly her objective.
“As a husband? Or as an instructor of swimming? I fear it’s too late on both counts for you to change your mind.”
“I hardly know what to think. You said—”
“I know what I said. A lot of foolish platitudes, that’s what. The only thing I know for certain is that I can hardly fathom wanting anything more than I want you. You fill me with a determination to make this work, to come to peace with my past as I want you to do with your own.” He studied her as if waiting for her to forgive him—to accept him. He squeezed her hands. “I love you, Louisa. I’ve been ignoring my heart for some time, but after the pond, I cannot do it anymore. I can’t let you leave here without a promise to return.”
Her heart beat loudly in her chest. “You love me?”
