Page 158 of The Scandal You Started
Kelly smiled without judgement and tapped Rayna’s midsection. “’Cause you can feel it here.” Then she tapped her forehead. “And think about it here.” Kelly pointed at her heart. “And it doesn’t make this hurt. Because love should never be painful. It might feel foreign and new, but it should make you feel safe and cared for and…”
“Full,” Rayna finished when Kelly couldn’t seem to find the right word.
Realisation drifted across her friend’s expression, and she nodded ever so slightly. “Yeah.”
Kelly had described exactly what happened inside Rayna because of Dominic. So if that was what love was, then maybe Rayna did…
She loved Dominic.
It didn’t feel like a revelation—anahamoment, or sudden burst of giddiness, or a bolt of shock that she’d fallen in love. There was no agonising understanding, or some missing puzzle piece falling into place and making everything click, or even a regretful need to voice it to him.
It was just a blanket of acceptance of what she’d felt but hadn’t known the name of.
It was an“Oh…so it was love all this time.”
But underneath that blanket was worry.
Because if she loved him, how could she justify making him leave so much for her?
Later that night, back at the farmhouse, Rayna was tucked against Dominic’s chest in bed when she asked, “Are you sure you want to give up being marquess?”
His fingers paused, combing through her hair. “What do you mean?”
She moved her head onto the pillow, to meet the shine of his eyes in the dark room. “If you start a life here with me, it’s not always going to be easy to go back to your time and live as the Marquess of Norland. Are you okay with that? Are you sure you’re genuinely fine with handing most of it over to your family to live for you?”
Her gaze darted searchingly between his as if she might be able to discern any doubt from him. But all she sensed was a smile as he cupped her jaw in his big, gentle hand.
“Yes, I am, darling. Truly,” he said. “I have told you Solomon already manages the books. He has done so since he turned eighteen. It is something he enjoys and insists I leave to him, which I do, because I do not enjoy it. I have solicitors I trust, and my tenants would not miss me. Candreas and Art are also aware of my investments, and both have a knack for it, especially Art.” The bedsheets rustled as he shifted. “Maybe I would miss my horses, but I trust that the stablemaster and Candreas would continue breeding and racing them as I had always planned.
“I may be marquess, my love, but I have always delegated my tasks so that I was never burdened with them all. Because had I had a choice over the matter, I would not have inherited the title for decades. I would have lived my life freely as I had wanted to. But Father passed away, and I was thrust into the role far sooner than I had ever expected. Nevertheless, I did my best because that is what I knew I had to do.
“But coming to the future and meeting you?” He traced his thumb under the curve of her lips. “It gave me my choice andfreedom back. You showed me a life I had never imagined living, but it is all I think about now.
“I know I cannot abandon my duty entirely, nor do I wish to. But I want this life with you, Rayna. I want you. I love you. My choice isyou.”
Her heart swelled even as guilt lassoed around her gut. “What about your family?”
“Do you not wish to visit them with me?”
“What? No. I do,” she quickly said.
“Then there is no issue. I will think of them dearly when I am apart from them, and when we are able to, you and I shall visit. That is more than enough for me.”
Guiding her to rest her cheek against his chest, Dominic then kissed her hair.
“Now rest, my love,” he whispered. “We will think on everything else tomorrow.”
Chapter 46
Dominic
“It’s a shame the time went by so quickly, but it was absolutely lovely working with you on this project, Dominic,” Cassie said as she shook Dominic’s hand after he handed over his staff badge to Maleeka at the museum reception desk the next day.
“Likewise,” Dominic said with a genuine smile. “I am very grateful I had this opportunity.”
Cassie then put her hand on Rayna’s arm. “And don’t forget about my job offer, missy.”
Rayna returned Cassie’s playful smile. “I won’t.”
