Page 121 of His Wicked Charm

Con scowled and jammed his hands into his pockets. He began to pace about the room, his long legs eating up the space and making the room seem much smaller than it was. Lilah knew she should probably ease Con’s way and give him an open path to leave, but she couldn’t find it in her to be that gracious or selfless. If Con wanted to leave, let him thrash about for the words to say it.

“Blast it!” He whirled and came back to her. “I didn’t mean to do this.”

“No. Of course not. I don’t blame you, Con.” There. She could manage to be a little selfless. “I knew this day would come.”

“You did?” He looked surprised. “You think I’m rash.” He scowled. “I’m not rash. I make judgments quickly. That doesn’t mean they’re wrong.”

“Con, please, just say it. Get it over with.”

“You’re right. I will.” He went down on one knee beside her chair, startling her. He took her hand, gazing intently into her eyes. “I wanted to show you. I was going to let you realize that I had changed. But I can’t wait that long. I can’t bear it.”

“Changed? Bear what? What are you talking about?” Lilah was utterly at sea now.

“I can’t bear the thought of losing you. I don’t want to be away from you, even for a day. I cannot wait to ask you. Please say you’ll marry me.”

Lilah’s jaw dropped. This was so far removed from anything she had thought he was about to say that she could hardly take it in. “You what?”

“You don’t have to make a decision right now. We can wait. I’ll...I’ll move over to Carmoor if you’d rather. But tell me you’ll think about it. Tell me you’ll give me a chance to prove it to you.”

“Prove what? Con, I don’t understand.”

“Prove that I can be...well, normal, I suppose. I won’t hurt your reputation. I won’t cause any scandal. I’ve been thinking. I’ve decided to give up the agency.”

“What?” Lilah stared.

“I’ll hand it over to Tom. He does a great deal of the work anyway. We’ll get a house in London, if you like, and, um, I’ll go to parties and...all that.”

“Are you serious?” Lilah reached out, cupping his face with her hands. “You want to marry me?”

“Yes.” He sighed. “Lilah, I’m not joking. I promise you. I’m not teasing. I’m quite capable of being serious. And steady.”

“You would really do that for me?” Tears clogged her throat. “Why?”

“Why?” Now it was Con who stared. “Because I love you, that’s why. I want to spend my life with you.”

“Oh, Con!” Lilah leaned forward and kissed him gently. “I wouldn’t ask you to change.” She kissed him again. “I don’t want you to change. I love you exactly as you are.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I never disliked you. Indeed, I think it frightened me that I liked you so much. Against all logic, all expectations, you were the man I wanted. I tried to dislike you. I wanted to. But I could never succeed. I think... Maybe I was searching for a man to suit another woman, a woman I tried very hard to be. But that’s not the woman I am, and for me, you are the right man.”

Con wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck and kissed her more thoroughly. Leaning his forehead against her, he whispered, “I was so scared. When Vesta slammed that door shut, I thought I had lost you forever. I knew if I didn’t have you, I had nothing.” He kissed her again, then sat back on his heel. “Then you’ll marry me?”

Lilah smiled into his eyes, her thumb softly tracing his cheekbone. “I should say no. I fear madness must run in my family.”

“Then you’ll fit right in. Welcome to the Mad Morelands.”

“There’s just one condition,” Lilah told him.

“What is that?” He stood up, pulling her up with him.

“You should keep your agency. Make Tom your partner if you like. But I’d never ask you to give up your investigations.”

“I’m not sure I want them anymore,” Con admitted. “They would take me away from you.”

“Ah, but I intend to go with you.”

Con laughed. “In that case, I shall most certainly keep it.”