my uncle’s, I used to sneak into the nursery and talk to Vanessa and listen to her babble. It felt . . . familiar. I could almost pretend I was home. I suppose the nursemaid felt sorry for me, because she told no one and tolerated my visits.”
Beatrice ignored the quick stab of jealousy in her heart. “That’s why you wanted to keep Vanessa from being hurt by that announcement.”
He nodded. “And that’s why she and I could never marry. In many respects, she’s as much a sister to me as Gwyn. More, in fact, since I only really knew Gwyn until she was six, and I’ve known Vanessa her whole life.”
“But your aunt didn’t care that neither of you wanted to marry each other.”
“No. Since my uncle never succeeded in gaining all the property they wanted from me, the next best thing for her was to have me wed Vanessa and thus have her become a duchess with access to all the wealth of the dukedom anyway.”
Beatrice stared up at him. “So how did you resolve the matter without making it look publicly as if you’d changed your mind about marrying Vanessa?”
“Before I tell you that, I need to ask you something.” He halted in the middle of the path to glance around. “And here seems an excellent place to do it.”
She followed his gaze to the huge log where they’d first kissed, and her pulse jumped.
He took her hands. “My previous proposals of marriage left much to be desired, so I’m going to try again.” His tone turned solemn. “Dearest Beatrice, I cannot live without you. I’m in love with you. Please do me the honor of making you my bride.”
She would swear her heart stopped. “You . . . you love me?”
His eyes sparkled. “More than life, sweetheart. I’ve been afraid to love for so long that I didn’t recognize the feeling until I was in the middle of it. Then I panicked a bit. Loving someone means risking heartbreak. And I’ve always feared heartbreak more than anything.”
“With good reason, I suppose, given how your wretched aunt and uncle treated you.” She covered his hands with hers. “But without risk, there’s no reward. Surely a man famous for shrewd dealings like yourself can see that.”
“It took me a while, but yes, I see it now. I see you now, more perfectly than ever.”
She couldn’t breathe for fear this moment would vanish. “And what do you see?”
“The only woman who can match me word for word and deed for deed. The only woman who understands what it’s like to lose family at a young age and yet has managed not to be damaged by it. And certainly the only woman I ever want to share a bed with.” He brushed a kiss to her lips. “For as long as we both shall live.”
That vow was enough to have her pulling him back for a more thorough kiss, which went on quite a while.
Then he broke it off to ask, in his usual peremptory tone, “Well? What’s your answer, minx?”
The scoundrel was so sure of her. She would cure him of that. Touching a finger to her chin, she said coyly, “I don’t know. I still haven’t had my debut. It’s possible I might find a better husband there.”
“No,” he said firmly. “I won’t allow it.”
“The debut? Or my finding a better husband?”
His eyes gleamed at her. “You can have all the debuts you want. But you accepted my marriage proposal once, and I will hold you to it.”
“That’s not a very persuasive argument,” she teased.
“Perhaps not. But this is.”
He kissed her again, only this time he also hoisted her up and carried her over to the ancient oak trunk where they’d kissed the first time.
“Your Grace!” she cried in mock disapproval. “Do you mean to ravish me?”
“If you don’t ravish me first,” he said roughly. “I won’t mind if that’s your preference.”
“Women can’t ravish.” They couldn’t, could they?
“Of course they can.” Setting her down by the fallen tree, he sat down on it and tugged her toward him.
“Grey!” she cried, thoroughly scandalized now that she realized he was serious about the ravishment. “It’s one thing to kiss in public, but to do that . . . What if someone comes by?”
“When have we ever seen anyone come by on this path?” He arranged her cloak back over her shoulders until only the tie at the top showed in front. “Sheridan and the constable are sure to take the