Page 106
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” He caught another tear with his thumb and wiped it away. “So, tell me now. Will you marry me?”
“I’m…I’m afraid.” Her lower lip trembled.
“Of what, my love?”
“That you’ll change your mind. That you’re saying all this because you pity me.” She shook her head. “That I’ll wake up and realize this was naught but a dream.”
“I won’t change my mind, and I don’t pity you. I admire you. I’m in awe of you. You’re so strong, so wonderful, so good. Too good for me. But I am selfish, and I want you for myself anyway.” He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her swiftly, tasting the salt of her tears and Phee, his sweet Phee, an elixir he could never have enough of. “And this isn’t a dream. We’re both real. All too real. I can demonstrate if you’d like.”
She made a sound that was half laugh, half sob. “Do you mean it? Do you really love me?”
“How could I not?” He cupped her face, letting everything he felt for her show in his countenance. “Of course I love you. Never doubt that.”
She nodded, new tears falling. “I love you too.”
He froze, elation and fear battling in his chest, which seemed to have suddenly swelled to thrice its size. “Again, please. Say it again.”
Her gray-green eyes softened. “I love you, Apollo. A-and I have a confession to make. I lied. I knew it was you at the house party from the start. You are the only man I want, now and forever.”
Relief swept over him as he lowered his forehead to hers, so powerful and potent that his knees trembled for a moment. “Your answer, if you please. Will you marry me, Phee?”
“Yes.” Another small laugh fell from her lips, her breath gusting warmly over him. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He kissed her again, a swift meeting of mouths, hard and quick. But it was perfection, that kiss.
It was the first kiss of the rest of their lives.
CHAPTER 22
Bitsy and Henry barked, rushing toward Ophelia’s guests with matching canine enthusiasm.
“Your Face!”
Ophelia suppressed a laugh at her daughter’s equally delighted and very undignified squeal as Apollo and Aphrodite entered the drawing room, bending down to pat the dogs who had greeted them.
“Well, I can see that I am decidedly de trop,” Aphrodite drawled as Catherine raced toward Apollo and threw her arms around his legs.
“Auntie Goose,” Catherine added, grinning whilst still strangling poor Apollo’s long legs.
“You see what you’ve started?” Aphrodite demanded of Apollo.
He just laughed in delight, giving Catherine a fond pat on the head. “Hullo to you too, poppet.”
They made an adorable vignette, and Ophelia wished she could capture them thus in a picture. Perhaps for their wedding day, she decided as she took in how dashing Apollo looked. His dark hair was brushed back from his handsome face, and he appeared utterly at ease, his dimples and charm in full force.
Reggie, still at her side, was predictably a bit more restrained in his greeting, although he, too, was quite fond of Apollo.
Her son sketched a bow. “Your Grace. It is good to see you again.”
“I trust you have been staying out of trouble for your mama,” Apollo said with a wink. “You are the man of the household and must set a good example for all, you know.”
“Of course, Your Grace,” Reggie answered, standing straighter.
Her heart was filled with so much joy, more than she had ever imagined possible. Watching her children with the man she loved—knowing he loved her and them both—never failed to make tears of happiness spring to her eyes.
It felt like a dream.
