Page 66 of Married By Twelfth Night
He nodded, coming toward her with steady, confident steps. “You know, the ones you and I create together.”
She slapped his shoulder when he reached her. “You cannot say such things!”
“I like when you fight me, but I prefer the passion of your kisses.” He wrapped his arms around her, and she fell against him.
“Shh! Someone will hear you.” She expected her mother to rush in at any moment to find them entangled together.
“I hope they do. I plan to marry you, Gracie Steele.”
Her argument died on her lips. “You want to marry me?” Her very soul seemed to light up inside her, bursting with joy.
He stroked the skin along her collarbone. “It isn’t London, but who else would ensure I stay humble all my days?”
“Hang London,” she said. “I am the only one you can trust to care for your ego.”
“Only you.” He kissed her nose. “Then only you for me.”
She rested her hands on his rising chest. “I don’t want you to regret choosing me. My dowry is small and will not go far. This opportunity with your aunt will never come again.”
He smoothed the wisps of hair at her temples. “How could I regret this beautiful woman in my arms? I have been counting down the minutes until I could hold you again.”
“You’ve been thinking about me?” She stared at him in awe. This sought-after man, adored by every woman in the world, had missed her? She could not get used to it.
He dropped another kiss on her mouth. “Constantly.”
See reason, she told herself. Reason! “But your mother . . .”
The surety in his eyes spoke before he did. “She knows and supports us.”
Even if that were true, could her health sustain her support? “And your sister? Will Bridget still have a dowry?”
He paused. “Likely not.”
She shook her head. “Richard, it’s too much.”
“No house with all its splendor and finery could be enjoyable without you in it. Bridget has relinquished her dowry for the honor of having you as a sister. And mother? Her tears over the land have been exchanged for tears of happiness over anticipating having such a prize for a daughter-in-law.”
She could barely hold back the emotion brimming inside her. “And you?”
He seemed to breathe her in. “If my home collapses with not a brick left in place, I will still rejoice if it means you are by my side.”
The happiest of tears teetered over the edge when her cheeks lifted into a small smile. “You’re too wonderful, Richard Graham.”
He wiped at the moisture spilling down her cheeks with the pad of his thumb. “Is that a yes?”
Lifting up on her toes, she placed a chaste kiss on his mouth. “A resounding yes.”
Chapter 30
Before calling hours officiallybegan, Richard stopped by Callis Hall with his family’s old sleigh. With a little sharpening and grease, it would last another few winters, but without the proper storage at their new cottage, it was on the list of items to remain behind at Belside. Even though there was hardly enough snow to warrant using it, he had been unable to resist one last ride. He patted the trusty conveyance before striding inside the house, ready to meet with Grace’s father and request his permission for her hand in marriage.
Mr. Steele met him at his office door and invited him inside. The familiar room eased Richard’s mounting nerves. The night his aunt had come to dine at Callis Hall with him he had previously relayed to Mr. Steele specific details of his financial situation, many of which Mr. Steele had guessed at.
Once they sat down, he added the tale of his aunt’s will, his rejection of it in favor of marrying Grace, and the cottage he had secured for his family.
“I know it is not the ideal setting to marry,” Richard hedged, “but I hope the friendship between our families will carry some weight in your decision. Indeed, I will endeavor to do all I can to see Grace is given every comfort.”
Mr. Steele clasped his hands on his desk and leaned forward in his seat. “I trust you will. This past year or more, you have proven yourselfto be a responsible man. If you had come to me with the details of your aunt’s will and asked for Ruth’s hand, I would have said no. Money is important, but your choice to sacrifice it for my daughter’s happiness shows true character. Granted, I fully expect you to work hard at returning to Belside as quickly as possible.”
