A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,105
it your way.” A mere second later, she found herself beneath him. He brushed his nose against hers. “My darling Kat, will you marry me? Live the rest of your days with me?”
“Don’t be silly. There’s no need to even consider it. Besides, I don’t expect or want a proposal.” Her acting abilities were phenomenal if she did say so herself, even if her heart raced as if trying to outrun the lie she’d said aloud.
He cradled her cheeks in his hands. But a coolness, almost reprimanding in nature, flashed in his eyes. “I’m serious.” He moved one hand until he cupped her jaw, ensuring she’d not turn from him as he spoke. “I know you said you don’t want to marry again. I’m asking you to reconsider that decision.”
She blinked, then slightly nodded. “I know.”
“You’re too precious to me. More than anything, I want you as my wife.”
Her heart tumbled in her chest. It was everything she’d ever hoped for but couldn’t have.
“Don’t ask me,” she whispered, then pulled away from him to sit up. She wrapped a sheet around her body, then crawled off him, still clutching the sheet. She began to look for her clothing.
“It’s a little late for modesty, don’t you think?” he said.
“Perhaps I’m cold.” She bent down and picked up her chemise and stays.
“Then come back into my arms and let me warm you,” he replied, the seduction in his words unmistakable. “Why don’t you want to marry me?”
Her insides melted at the deepness in his voice. “It’s not that I don’t want to, but I can’t.” Her voice was so low, she didn’t know if he could hear her.
She slipped her chemise over her head. Thankfully, her stays could be worn with the lace in the front.
In a flash of movement, he stood before her, stark naked. Adonis would look like an ordinary man next to Christian. He towered above her with his perfect body, save the scar, a badge of honor. She looked her fill, hoping to remember every inch of his beauty and his grace.
“Don’t look at me like that, or we’ll be back in bed in a trice.” Christian gently placed his hands on her shoulders and held her still with their gazes locked. “Why can’t you?”
Her throat burned as tears flooded her eyes. An ache deep in her chest surged with every heartbeat.
He gently pulled her into his arms. “You can tell me.”
Her cheek rested against the strong beat of his heart. She needed to borrow some of that strength. It was exhausting to keep it all inside. This was the time to tell him the truth. If she trusted him with her body, she could trust him with her secrets. “I’m not who you think I am.”
“Come. Sit with me.” After donning his breeches, he sat on the edge of the bed then pulled her onto his lap.
The breadth and size of his body was something she didn’t know if she’d ever get used to. As her tears fell, he brought her closer and slowly rubbed one hand up and down her spine. The tenderness and comfort he offered made the tears fall faster. If she shared everything that had happened, he’d understand why he couldn’t marry her.
“I have no idea who my father is.” She forced her gaze to his.
He leaned slightly forward and kissed her on the brow. “Is that why you think you can’t marry me?”
She didn’t trust herself to speak without another rash of tears falling so she nodded.
He tilted her chin until their gazes met. “I don’t care. I only care about you.”
“I’m a bastard.”
* * *
Christian tried to contain his shock, but he must have divulged too much by the crushed look on her face. “Sweetheart, help me understand. You told me your father was lost at sea.”
“It was a lie.” Katherine’s voice was so low, it sounded like she was speaking inside a barrel. “Only Willa and Helen know the truth. I didn’t even tell Meri.” She released a shuddered breath. “My mother … was my everything.”
“She taught you well, Kat. I’m so happy you had her in your life.”
She smiled a sad smile through her tears. “I wonder if you will feel that way after I finish. My mother would be proud of my acting abilities because … she was a professional actress. Her stage name was Elise Fontaine. She was a woman who loved me dearly and sacrificed so much for me. She took acting jobs that others cringed