Page 137 of Heartbreaker of the Ton
He saw two little peaks beneath the material of her gown.
His manhood stirred at the prospect of their sweetness, and, unable to conquer his raw need, he dipped his head and brushed his lips against the soft skin at the top of her breasts. She drew in a sharp breath, lifting her breasts, and his senses were beset by the sharp scent of her need.
Then he caught her hand and withdrew. Disappointment flashed in her expression, and he lifted her hand to his lips.
Dare he hope that, despite the hurt he’d caused her, she still wanted him—still loved him?
He placed a kiss on each of her knuckles, then lowered himself to the floor. He closed his eyes momentarily, uttering a silent prayer to the Almighty, the one prayer—over and above all the prayers he’d uttered while alone at night—where his life depended upon the answer.
But it was not the Almighty’s answer he depended on.
It washers.
He lifted his gaze and summoned his courage to ask for the one thing in the world he desired above all else.
“Etty,” he whispered, “I know I am not worthy, but I ask it anyway. I love you—I believe I loved you from that first moment I saw you in my church, illuminated by the light, cradling your son in your arms. Will you make me the happiest of men and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“You can’t,” she said quietly.
He clung to her hand and closed his eyes as his gut twisted with shame and loss. “Forgive me,” he whispered.
She shook her head. “You can’t want to marryme.”
He opened his eyes and met her gaze. She had every right to doubt his worth—but to doubthers?
“Would you want to marry a woman who has sinned?” she asked, moisture in her eyes. “A woman who committed a spiteful, selfish act on one of the purest souls who ever lived? A woman who offered her body like a commodity in an attempt to secure the hand of a duke? A whore—a woman who bore his bastard then hid herself away as if her innocent child were a dirty secret? A woman who ran from her troubles no matter whom she’d hurt?”
She caught her breath, then shook her head. “Who would want to marry such a woman?”
“Iwould,” he said, lifting her hand to his lips. “I want a woman who was driven to act out of desperation by the cruel world in which we live—a mortal woman who has spent her lifeatoning for her actions. A loving mother to the sweetest little boy in the world, to whom I want nothing more than to be a father. A woman who survived in a world ruled by men. A woman who fought for the rights and safety of others—others whom no other living soul would fight to protect.”
He kissed her knuckles again. “That is the woman I want to marry. A woman who thought nothing of her own life when she placed it at risk to save another. A woman I fell completely and utterly in love with.”
The moisture in her eyes spilled over, and a tear splashed onto her hand. He brushed it away.
“Andrew…”
“Never again say that you are unworthy,” he said. “In the eyes of those who love you, you are the most treasured soul in the world.”
She took his hand and placed it on her breast, and his manhood hardened at the sensation of her stiff little peak poking insistently against his palm through the muslin of her gown.
She was his for the taking.
A knock came on the door, and the footman appeared. Andrew leaped to his feet, his cheeks warming, while Etty’s blush deepened.
“Oh, forgive me, Miss Howard,” the footman said. “Supper will be ready in an hour, and Lady Arabella wanted to know if Lord Radham would be joining the other guests. I can have your maid bring a tray up to you, miss.”
“Thank you,” Andrew said. “If it is not too improper, I’d like to take my supper here, with my…”
He glanced at Etty, uttering a silent plea. The clear blue depths of her eyes were filled with love.
A love he did not deserve, but would gladly cherish for the rest of his life.
She took both his hands in hers. “Simon,” she said, “please be so kind as to tell Lady Arabella that I will be taking supper in my chamber with…my betrothed.”
My betrothed.
The footman’s eyes widened, then he bowed and exited the chamber.
