Page 39

“And when you suggested another opera, I was relieved.” She took a breath, her pulse fluttering. “I have been trying to decide what that means, but I think I have known.”

Dominic remained still, watching her, his dark, intent eyes fixed on her. He tightened his hand around hers almost imperceptibly. Amelia felt her heart beat harder, pounding against her ribs. There was no graceful retreat from the truth now, and she found she no longer wanted one. The words rose in her, simple and bright. “I love you.”

His fingers closed around hers, tight and warm. For a moment, he said nothing. She saw his expression change, surprise giving way to a warmth so open that her eyes stung, her vision blurring with unshed tears. Then he lifted her hand and pressed it against his chest, over his heart, where it beat strong and fast beneath her palm. “I love you too,” he said, his voice rough with feeling.

She laughed softly, a wet, shaky sound she couldn't help. “You might have said so sooner.”

“I was following your rules.”

“Too well, it seems…” She smiled. “Some rules are meant to be broken.”

“Yes.” His smile gentled, crinkling the corners of his eyes. “I am grateful that we are breaking them now.”

Amelia covered her mouth for a moment, laughing despite the tears that had begun to escape and slide warm down her cheeks. Dominic brushed one away with his thumb, his touch so tender that it made her chest ache. “I mean it,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “I love you. I want a future with you, and I would like to discover what sort of future you wish to have with me.”

She leaned into his hand and closed her eyes. It was the right question. He had asked it often enough in smaller ways that she recognized it now, even with so much depending upon her answer, and a deep, quiet peace settled over her.

“I want you to call tomorrow,” she said, opening her eyes. “And I want you to continue calling. I want the letters and the walks and the evenings when we disagree about something ridiculous.”

“I excel at ridiculous…”

“I have no doubt.” She smiled, then steadied herself, drawing a breath that shook only slightly. “I should also like to marry you.”

Dominic stared at her, his lips parting. The astonishment was so complete that she almost laughed again, the sight of it bright and endearing. “Have I become too ambitious?”

“No.” He sat upright, gathering her hands between his, his grip warm and a little unsteady. “No, Amelia. You have merely reached the question before I managed to ask it.”

“I do prefer to win,” she said, her eyes dancing through her tears.

His laugh broke softly, half joy and half disbelief, and he drew her into his arms. Amelia held him close, feeling his cheek against her hair and the warmth of his hand spread wide and sure on her back. She pressed her face into his shoulder and breathed him in, sandalwood and warm skin, and let the happiness fill her until it overflowed. When he eased away, his eyes were bright, and she thought they were not entirely dry. “Will you permit me to ask properly tomorrow?” he asked.

“When you call upon me in the afternoon?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “With every possible appearance of respectability.”

“I should like that.” She touched his cheek, her thumb tracing the line of his cheekbone. “But you already know the answer.”

“I shall enjoy hearing it again,” he said.

She kissed him slowly, without needing to hide how much she loved him, pouring that feeling into it. When they parted, she remained close, smiling against his mouth, her heart light and full. “You must understand that I intend to keep my opinions.”

His smile turned familiar and wicked, warming his whole face. “I should be disappointed if you ceased.”

Amelia laughed, then settled against him again, her cheek resting against his chest. The mantel clock ticked quietly behind her, a soft, steady sound. She had spent so much time deciding how to end their evenings that she had scarcely considered that one day she might wish to let one continue.

Tonight, she could choose that too. “Stay,” she said.

Dominic’s hand paused upon her back, his fingers going still against her spine. “Until you wish me to leave?”

She lifted her head and met his steady, clear gaze. “Until morning.”

He searched her face, giving her time to reconsider, his eyes tender and watchful. Amelia did not need it. She held his gaze and let him see the certainty there. “I should like to wake beside you,” she added, her voice soft. “We have discovered that there is rather more between us than we expected. I do not wish to send you away.”

His smile came slowly, spreading across his face like sunrise. “Then I shall stay.”

She rested her head against his shoulder, content now to let the hour advance. Tomorrow he would return as her suitor. Soon, she hoped, he would become her husband. They would have conversations and make arrangements, and Charlotte would undoubtedly become impossible. The thought made her smile into his skin. Amelia looked forward to it all. Beside her, Dominic drew the coverlet over them and kissed her hair, his lips warm and lingering. She closed her eyes, held his hand comfortably, and let morning come.

Epilogue