A Rogue No More - Lana Williams Page 0,89
so clearly should make his investigation easier.”
“But why have it printed?”
“I want people to talk about it. To wonder if his arrest is connected to the story. Perhaps a few rumors as to that effect will circulate. Otherwise, the East India Company might try to keep the entire situation quiet. If he has wronged others on his march to success, mayhap they’ll come forward as well. And mayhap the details will teach others a lesson and keep something like this from happening again.”
“That is a wonderful idea. I hope I had the details correct, though I’m certain Constable McConnelly will discover the truth.”
“We can hope.” He held her gaze, sorrow in his eyes even as he reached for her manuscript. “Annabelle, I never wanted to cancel our contract. I only did so to try to keep you safe.”
Despite his assurance, doubt surfaced. “I can understand if you don’t want to mingle our personal lives with our professional ones.” Her heart squeezed at the idea of trying to keep them separate, but she wondered if that was truly his preference. Especially since he was returning her fair copy to her.
“No. Not at all. I would be honored to work with you. Your talent amazes me, and I defy anyone to believe in you as much as I do.” He reached out one hand to take hers, his fingers winding through hers. “Writing and creativity are part of who you are. And I adore every part of you.”
“But if you feel—”
“Not for a moment.” He shook his head as he set down her manuscript once more. “I don’t think I’ve made it clear how I feel about you, and it’s past time that I did.” He turned over her hand to press a kiss into the palm, sending frissons of awareness running through her. “I will be forever grateful for the night you convinced me to kiss you on the terrace all those months ago. That night shook my world. Then came the day you entered my office, and I realized you were one and the same as the author whose work I couldn’t keep off my mind.”
“Oh, Thomas.” Annabelle didn’t think her heart had ever felt so full. The well of emotion threatened to spill over.
“Hearing Sir Alexander threaten that you might be the next murder victim is something I never want to experience again. I’m sorry I caused you pain when I told you I was cancelling our contract. But I didn’t know how else to keep you safe. I know how much your stories mean to you, as they should. You are so talented. I only wish I could tell the world that I’m marrying A. Golden.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle, despite the seriousness in his eyes.
“I love you with all that I am,” he said. Her breath caught at his declaration, but before she could respond, he dropped to one knee before her. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? I promise to cherish you always and forever.”
Blinking back tears as she pressed a hand to her mouth, she nodded. “Yes. Yes, Thomas. I would be honored to marry you. I love you as well.” She eased forward to kiss him as her heart spun.
He returned to his seat beside her and drew her into his arms. “I asked your father for your hand, but I never asked you. That was an oversight on my part.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I didn’t think marriage was in my future. After all, what man would want a wife interested in writing? I often keep ridiculous hours and my thoughts are on my story. I worried you’d prefer I stop, or I’d lose interest in writing if I married.” She straightened to look into his eyes. “But you made me wonder if it might be possible to have everything I want.”
“I’m starting to believe that as well.” Then he glanced away. “The question is whether you are comfortable with my editing your story.” He released her to open the pages, revealing the detailed notes he’d taken. “I have only a few thoughts to strengthen it, but I would never want anything to come between us, including business. If you’d prefer to find another publisher, I understand.” He paused to look her in the eye. “But I promise you that you’ll never have a bigger admirer of your work than me, regardless of who publishes your books.”
“I trust you, and I would love to work with you.”
“Excellent.