Page 70 of The Duke Meets His Match

Her words brought an air of unease into their conversation, and Susan decidedit was best to get right to the point. She twisted the ruby ring again. “George,” she said, “whatyouwere wanting was freedom—from Prinny and from unwantedobligations. So what you pursued was a betrothal that would—”

“No,” he interrupted. “Not a betrothal. A marriage.”

“Areason,”she said, continuing, “to avoid the Prince Regent’s trap. And now you have that freedom. I was merely a device to achieve that end.” She slid the ring from her finger and looked at it. The ruby glowed with deep-red hues, looking nearly alive as the carriage wound its way through the streets to LadyWalmsley’s, and the light from the carriage windows struck it from varyingangles. The stone reminded her of her own heart right now, alive again after so long a time. “Now that you are free, it is only right and fitting that I release you from the betrothal. You are completely free.” She handed him the ring.

He took it from her and studied it just as she had done. “My clever Susan,” he said at last. “You think you know whatI wanted, and I will concede that you are partly correct. Iwantedto be free of Prinny. Iwantedto be able to choose my own wife.

“When I was confronted by him less than a fortnight ago—it seems like eons now—I had but the merest moment to give him the name of my bride. And the name that came to me was Susan Jennings.” He took her hand in his and kissed it. “And I believe what you described earlier is the truth: that my heart recognized what it wanted before it could articulate it, when I only saw an impertinent woman.”

“Harpy, you mean,” Susan said with a wry smile.

“True.” He chuckled. “But back then, I was His Loftiness, wasn’t I? I hope I am not quite that in your eyes anymore.”

He drew Susan even closer and wrapped his arm about her shoulders, and she pressed against him, savoring the feel of him, the rise and fall of his breathing, and immersed herself in her love for him.

“My dear, clever Susan,” he said. “I have been aware of my need to marry for years now and have spent a good deal of time looking for the woman who couldbe not onlyaduchess, butmyduchess. I believe my heart recognized that womanbefore I could see her clearly for myself. And so, although we have known each other but a short time, I am completely certain thatyouaremyduchess.”

“Oh, George,” Susan said on a sigh.

“When I proposed to you the first time, I made the arrogant assumption that you would consider yourself grateful to receive such an offer. My dearest Susan, this is not the time or place I ever envisioned myself proposing—a carriage ride certainly lacks the pomp and decorum such an occasion should warrant—and yet, in a way, that makes it themostappropriate place of all, utterly without pretense, for I do not wish another moment to go by without asking you if you will agree to be my wife—freely, of your own choosing.”

“Oh, George,” she repeated, laying her hand on his cheek. “I have not heldon to girlish romantic dreams—they shattered for me years earlier. I came tothe conclusion that such would not be my lot in life. But I have watched those dearest to me experience love, so I know it exists. And I have discovered, quite unexpectedly, that I love you, that my heart recognized what it longed for when my mind would not accept it.”

“You love me?” George asked.

“You aren’t content having heard my declaration already?” Susan asked. “You must hear it again? Very well. I love—”

“I love you too,” he said, interrupting her. “Is it not strange? Despite our short acquaintance, which should seem problematic, I have no qualms whatsoever about expressing my ardent feelings to you and marrying you—if you will have me, that is. Will you?”

“I will,” she said. “And gladly. I’m usually so practical, and this seems wildly impractical. And yet, I am absolutely confident in my answer.”

“You don’t need a day to mull it over? You have needed a day twice before, you know,” he teased, a twinkle in his eye.

The Duke of Aylesham had a twinkle in his eye—and Susan loved him all the more for it. “Not at all,” she replied. “I accept your proposal wholeheartedly.”

“Then allow me,” he said. He slid the ruby ring back on her finger. “There. That looks much better. I know how much you want to have your family presentfor the wedding, and I will honor your desires in this matter, although mypreference would be to carry on as planned and marry this Monday.”

“Oh, George,” Susan said and then paused. “I keep saying that, don’t I?”

“Yes, you do,” he said. “You know, I never have liked my given name. But as everyone has always referred to me by my titles, it has never been a problem.”

“Would you prefer—” Susan said.

“In fact,” he continued, shifting on the seat a bit so they could nestle together more comfortably. “I think you are the only person who has ever used it. But when you say it, it feels right.”

“Oh, George,” she said again.

“Oh, Susan,” he replied with a teasing grin, then his lips descended to hers, and she wrapped her arms around him and held him close and savored his lips and the fact that he was truly hers. The carriage gently rocked to and fro as it reached Lady Walmsley’s house and came to a halt.

“Oh,George,” she murmured.

No more words needed to be spoken.

***

A warning knock from Bentley on the roof of the carriage alerted George, and he raised his head to see what was going on.

“What’s happening?” Susan murmured as she straightened up.

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