Page 89 of The Duke of Daring (The Untouchables)
Her two friends stood on either side of her, but he barely registered them. She lowered her head, and her gaze found his just before he came to a stop in front of her.
He worked to catch his breath but decided he didn’t need to. She made his heart race and his chest constrict, and he prayed he felt that way for the rest of their—hopefully, very long—lives.
“Andrew.”
“Lucy.” He cupped her face, eager to kiss her, heedless of anyone who might see. “If you tell me to go, I will, but I want to stay. With you. Forever.”
She reached under his arms and clutched his back. “Kiss me.”
He claimed her mouth and kissed her fiercely. That she kissed him back with equal fervor heated his body and fired his soul. He pulled his lips from hers but didn’t move away. “I love you, Lucy. I was an idiot.”
“Yes, you were. But I understand why.”
Now he pulled back and looked at her in wonder. “You do?”
She nodded. “I think so. You’re still deeply wounded by your family’s death. And,I think, you’re scared to allow yourself to love anyone.”
He stared at her in wonder. “How is it you understand me so completely?”
“Because for a long time I felt the same way. I was afraid I’d marry someone like my father, so I thought it was best to not marry at all.” She touched his face, her gloved fingers running over his temples and caressing his jaw. “I was so afraid you’d gone up in the balloon. Why didn’t you?”
“I didn’t need to. I wanted to fly—for my brother—but I think he’d understand that I want you more. I’ve spent over half my life running from ghosts and protecting myself from a hurt that you can’t really escape. Loving someone is accepting that you might lose them. I don’t ever want to lose you, Lucy, but that’s a risk I have to take.”
She smiled at him, her eyes full of love. At least he thought they were full of love. She hadn’t said it. “I’m so glad. I came here to convince you that you should. I’m so glad that you realized you love me. You’ve made my task so much easier. In fact, you’ve saved me from it entirely.”
“Does that mean you love me too?”
She laughed, and the sound was a glorious balm to his wounded soul. “Could you doubt it? I think I started falling in love with you the minute you took me to shoot at Manton’s. How could I not? You’ve always treated me with respect and admiration. No one, especially no man, has ever made me feel so special. So cherished. Of course I love you. With all my heart.”
He kissed her again, holding her close against him.
“The crowd is starting to look,” one of her friends—if he had to guess, he’d wager it was Miss Breckenridge—said urgently.
Reluctantly, he pulled away from Lucy, but he snatched her hand in his, bringing it to his lips. “Does this mean you’ll marry me?”
“As soon as possible.”
“I don’t know if I can get a special license, but I’ll do my best.”
She looked at him confidently. “You’re the Duke of Daring. No one expects you to have a conventional wedding.”
He chuckled. “No, I suppose they don’t. But does anyone really call me that besides you three?”
She exchanged looks with her friends, both of whom were smiling, even Miss Breckenridge. “Probably not.”
“Actually, I’m fairly certain Nora does,” Miss Knox said. She looked at Andrew. “The Duchess of Kendal. She’s our mentor. Of sorts.”
“I see.” He saw that the crowd was beginning to dissipate. “Shall we go?”
Lucy took his arm, her eyes shining. “Yes. Let’s go on our next adventure.”
He put his hand over hers and squeezed her fingers. “I can’t wait.”
Epilogue
Lucy eyed the target, her farthest yet, and steadied her arm before she squeezed the trigger. The ball fired and hit the target square, knocking the block off the post to the ground. She yelped with glee, turning to Andrew, who was grinning at her work.
“You are incredible,” he said, shaking his head. “My turn.”
