Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,241

have a bad habit of rushing into situations before giving the consequences proper thought. I needn’t tell you, though.”

“No, you don’t.” He lifted her hand to place a kiss on her palm and smiled. “I’ve charged into many situations with little forethought, and more often than not, trusting my instincts has worked in my favor.”

“It never works that way for me.” She withdrew her hand; the worry lines crossing her forehead deepened. “That morning with you I… I reacted. I drew conclusions about who you were, and I thought you needed to be put in your place, but you did nothing wrong. I wanted to punish a different man—or maybe every man in my life that did as he pleased and never suffered for doing whatever he wants. I don’t know. It sounds mad when I say it aloud.”

“You are not mad, and you don’t need to explain.” He understood enough to realize she’d been hurt in the past.

She dropped her gaze to her lap and picked at her skirts. “You don’t deserve to be dragged into a scandal I created or become trapped into marrying me. This is my mess to clean.”

He captured her chin and urged her to look at him. “Will you do something for me, love?”

“Yes, anything.”

“Take a deep breath and clear your mind.”

Her mouth pinched. A flash in her eyes was a reminder of how hot her temper could burn—how passionate she could love.

“If you must blame someone for the announcement,” he said, “blame me. I had an audience with my parents this morning to discuss my future. My father remains unsure about my business venture, but he and my mother gave their full blessing for me to propose to you today.”

She gasped. The butterflies had battering rams now.

“I realize it might seem too fast, but I know you are the one for me.” He tapped the place over his heart. “In here, I have no doubts. You are a good woman who values the wellbeing of her family over her own comfort. I’ve witnessed your generous heart with your cousin, and I know about your sacrifice in marrying Hadley.”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“It was, Bess. My mother shared a close friendship with your Aunt Esther. When she married for love, she was no longer valuable to your grandfather. He couldn’t use her to become more influential or increase his wealth, so he disowned her. Your family sees ladies as commodities.”

She shook her head. “It was different with me. My marriage was meant to break my willful spirit. Father said my reckless behavior made me worthless. He increased my dowry to entice Hadley to take me.”

“Bollocks!” He’d like to punch her father’s teeth from his lying mouth. “The union with Hadley helped garner support for one of your father’s men to win a seat in the House of Commons. You are not worthless, far from it.”

A hint of a smile tweaked her lips. “I never said I believed him. It is an accurate recitation of what he said, but Hadley was honest about the arrangement. He wanted to ensure I wasn’t being coerced into marrying him. After that conversation, I entered into the union willingly.”

“I’m happy you were not broken, Bess. Your spirit is what I love most about you.”

“Do you love me?”

“I haven’t reached that part of my speech yet, but yes, I love you, Bess. I’ve known since our first kiss.” He stood then bowed on one knee. “With every ounce of my heart, I know you are the only woman for me. Will you marry me?”

“Julius—”

“Please, don’t think about it. Just say yes.”

“Are you—?”

“Yes, I am.”

She huffed. “You don’t know what I was going to ask.”

“No questions,” he teased.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake. Am I allowed to make a speech at some point?”

“None needed. I don’t require a bunch of pretty words. Just one, and it starts with the letter Y.” He waggled his eyebrows.

She laughed. “Yes! Are you happy now?”

With an undignified whoop, he bolted from the floor and lifted her in a hug, raining kisses on her face—plump mouth, cheeks, stubborn chin, the tip of her nose. Every lovable part of her. When he lowered her feet to the floor, she held on. Her nails caressed the back of his neck, sliding into his hairline. He closed his eyes to bask in the warm tingles spreading down his back.

“Will you allow me a few more words?” she murmured.

He pressed his lips to her forehead and inhaled the familiar scent of her soap.