Page 101 of Irresistible
“I didn’t notice you offering a better solution,” she said defensively. “We were rather under fire.”
His shoulders drooped, which she found to be a puzzling reaction. “That’s it, then? You sought to mitigate the disaster.”
“Of course. What should I have done?”
He smiled faintly as admiration flickered in his gaze. “Precisely that. It was quick thinking on your part. You really would make an excellent spy.”
“I was just thinking the opposite. I really dislike not knowing what will happen as well as all the secrecy. I’d much rather be open and clear about my motives.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Not that you don’t like working for the Foreign Office, but that you prefer honesty and straightforwardness. I have been lacking in both for some time as I’ve been cloaking myself in a variety of roles.” He let go of the chair and straightened. “In my quest to be secretive and to be multiple people, I’ve kept my emotions buried. My father has reminded me that wasn’t always how I used to be. Indeed, my brother, if he were here, would smack me aside the head and tell me to be myself.”
Jess stared at him, amazed at these revelations. “Who is that?”
“A man like my father and my brother. And my cousin. Someone who allows emotion along with reason and deliberation. That is the man I want to be, the man I need to be as viscount and someday as earl. And hopefully as your husband.”
He held up his hand with a slight grimace. “Forgive me, I don’t want to botch this again.” He dropped to his knee, took her hand, and looked up at her with a naked emotion she was afraid to name. “I humbly ask you to be my wife because I love you. There are a thousand other reasons, but that is the most vital: I love you, Jess, and the future will be ever so much more wonderful if I have the honor of sharing it with you.”
A long moment stretched as she let his words settle into her mind and find their home in her soul. “That’s all I wanted,” she whispered. “Your love. I love you too. I refused you because I didn’t think you loved me in return.”
“I was, as you so aptly put it, a blockhead.”
She squeezed his hand. “Yes, but I love you anyway. And you aren’t always a blockhead.”
He chuckled. “I hope not. I shall endeavor not to be.” Uncertainty passed over his features as he hesitated. “Does this mean you accept my proposal?”
“Yes, happily. Now stand up and kiss me.”
He rose, but he didn’t take her into his arms. “There aren’t other reasons for you to decline?” His brow furrowed. “You’ve been so against marriage.”
Jess exhaled. “Yes, but I didn’t give it any real consideration. Not until I pretended to be married and found it so incredibly wonderful. My commitment to spinsterhood was more about spiting my parents instead of fulfilling some dream I harbored for an independent future. I didn’t recognize that until I began to see the benefits of marriage. Not just any marriage, but one with a partner who appreciated and encouraged me. And who showed me the potential of a union between two like-minded souls.”
His gaze searched hers. “Did I do that?”
“I thinkwedid that—without meaning to,” she added with a gentle laugh.
“I would agree with that assessment. But will the life I’m offering, willIbe enough?”
Jess put her hands on his cheeks and looked into his eyes. “Oh, yes. To become your viscountess and live in Scotland—what an adventure that will be. In truth, I would go anywhere you lead.” She recalled Mary’s counsel. “So long as we’re together, even the most mundane will be exciting.”
“I like the sound of that. And I wholly concur.”
“I should like you to reveal yourself to me completely,” she said. When he glanced down at himself and lifted his hands to the buttons of his waistcoat, she laughed. “Not that way, though I would like that too. What I meant was that I want to know all the different people you’ve tried to be. Will you share them all with me?”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
“I’m quite eager to hear about your cousin. Though we barely met, I sense a strong bond between the two of you. Indeed, I find it odd that you didn’t mention him during our time together.”
“I kept everything so separate.” He shook his head. “I shall tell you all about Robbie, my other cousins, and my wonderful aunt and uncle. They own a tavern in Edinburgh’s Old Town. You’ll love it.”
She grinned. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“Now, if I may, I’d like to continue what we started when I arrived.”
“Here I thought we’d finished.”
“Never.” He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. “I hope you won’t mind if I take a more…disciplined approach this time.” He set her on the coverlet and began to disrobe.
Jess whisked off the night rail and cast it behind her. She lay back and spread her arms. “I will try to be patient.”
