Page 88 of The Duke of Ice
“Among other things. As Simon aptly said, I’ve been a daft prick.” His mouth tipped into a crooked half smile.
She arched a brow at him, surprised at his sense of humor. “I knew I liked Simon.”
“I’m only sorry it took him to finally make me see sense. You were very patient with me, and I was… I was a coward.”
Hewasa coward, but she understood why. “I’ve been a coward too. I preferred to live in the past, in the only time I was truly happy.”
His answering smile was soft and bright. “That’s not cowardice. That’s self-preservation—and a much better solution than erecting a wall of ice around yourself.” His face darkened, and she tensed. “I know I’m different now. I don’t think I can be the Nick you fell in love with, not anymore. Can you accept me as I am?”
He sounded so unsure, so apprehensive, that the old, familiar cracks in her heart trembled. “No, you aren’t the same Nick, but I love you even more now than I did then.”
“After what I’ve put you through?” He sounded as if he wanted to thrash himself, and she supposed in some ways he had.
“Stunningly, yes,” she said wryly. She touched him tentatively, her hand grazing his great coat over his heart. “We both dealt with loss in our own way. Not that my loss can ever compare to yours.”
He stared into her eyes, every emotion she’d ever wanted to see from him naked in their depths. “We’ve both lost a great deal, especially time. I’d rather not lose another moment.”
“I just need to understand about Diana. Is she all right?”
“I’m assured she is. Though her parents are another story that we can discuss another time. Or never. Whatever you decide.” His smile came back. “That you’re concerned for her welfare only accentuates what a wonderful woman you are.”
“I still need… How do I know you won’t panic and run off again?”
“I can promise you Iwillpanic again, particularly when you end up with child. But I won’t run again. At least not away from you. I point in one direction now, Violet—to you.”
Despite the cold, heat blossomed inside her. Until her brain processed what he’d said first—about children. She withdrew her hand from his chest. “Nick, I can’t give you any children,” she said quietly, her gaze dropping.
He clasped her shoulders, drawing her to look back up at him. “Maybe not. Or maybe you will. I will be happy either way.”
“Oh, Nick.” She stood on her toes and kissed him, but it was brief. The second his frigid nose brushed up against hers, she gasped. “Youhaveto come inside.”
He grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”
She turned and started up the steps. When they were inside, Lavery cast him a disgruntled look while Chalke smiled brightly. They each took Nick’s and Violet’s outerwear, respectively, and left them alone in the hall.
Nick took Violet’s hand. “Thank you for bringing me in out of the cold.”
“Does this mean you aren’t the Duke of Ice anymore?”
“Do you think we could convince people that I’m the Duke of Fire?”
She laughed. “Do you plan to rage at people?”
He shrugged. “I could. Honestly, I don’t care what anyone calls me—only you.”
She threaded her fingers through his. “And what do you prefer?”
“Friend, lover, husband?” He looked at her in question.
“If that’s supposed to be a marriage proposal, you’ll have to do much better than that.” She lifted their hands and held them to her chest as she moved to stand closer to him. “Are you sure you want to take this risk? Anything could happen—to either of us. You know there are no guarantees?”
He caressed her face, smiling down into her eyes. “There is one, actually: I will love you until the end of time.”
She fell into him, her arms encircling his neck. “Well then, how can I refuse?”
Epilogue
August, 1818
