was finding it hard to catch her breath. Driscoll stood on the other side of the imposing, large wooden door.
Would he turn from her in anger? In disgust? Might he tell her she was no longer employed by The Rose Room? Would he insist she return to Randolph with a warning to him to treat her better?
Stiffening her spine, she took a deep breath and stepped through the door the footman opened. Diana, Lord Huntington, Dante and Driscoll ceased their conversation and turned at her entrance. She had to tamp down the urge to flee.
Driscoll walked up to her and took her hands in his. “Are you feeling well, my love?”
She stared into his eyes. Anger?
No. Disgust?
No. Concern?
Yes. Love?
Frighteningly so. She licked her dry lips. “Yes. I am well. Thank you.” She turned to Lord Huntington, Diana, and Dante. “I can’t express how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me. I cannot. . .” She stopped, her throat working as she tried to control the tears that threatened to embarrass her.
Diana stood and motioned to her husband and Dante. “I think it is time for us to retire. Dante, if you wish we have a room readied for you.”
Dante shook his head. “Thank you, Diana. You are gracious as always. However, I think there is still time for me to stop by The Rose Room.” He walked to Amelia. “Welcome back, Miss Pence. ’Twas an interesting night.”
She grinned. “Thank you.”
The three left the room, closing the door softly behind them. Amelia began to study her feet encased in the soft slippers Diana had provided, not quite sure what to do now that she and Driscoll were alone.
Driscoll placed his finger under her chin and raised her head until she was staring into his eyes. She was still unable to reconcile the emotion she saw there. “Would you care for a drink? Brandy? Sherry? Tea?”
Amelia nodded and ran her palms up and down her arms. “Actually, a brandy sounds very good right now.”
He led her to a settee and walked to the other side of the room and poured two brandies. He turned to face her and leaned against the sideboard, his long legs crossed at the ankles as he swirled the brandies and studied her.
She quelled the desire to squirm at his scrutiny. Pushing himself away from the sideboard, he moved forward and took the space alongside her. He handed her the cut crystal snifter, watching her over the rim of his glass as he drank. She took a sip, the liquid burning all the way to her stomach. She sucked in a deep breath and coughed.
Once she had her breath back, he casually stated, “You are no longer an employee of The Rose Room, Miss Pence.”
“Miss Smythe,” she mumbled. Her shoulders slumped. He was angry with her. Probably all the Rose brothers were.
Driscoll raised his brows at the news of her real name. He removed the glass from her hand and placed it, along with his own on the small table in front of them. “Do you know why you are no longer employed?”
She shook her head, unable to speak. Of course, she could think of many reasons, starting with his anger at the secrets she refused to tell him and ending with requiring him and his brothers to rescue her from the clutches of her horrid stepbrother who they had already banned from the club.
Before she could ask for a reason, he slipped from the settee and rested on one knee in front of her. He took her hands in his and looked directly into her eyes. “Miss Amelia Pence—Smythe, if that is your true name—I would be the happiest of men if you would consent to be my wife.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers, one at a time, while he stared up at her.
Wife?
Oh, good heavens, she was about to cry again. She couldn’t speak, only nod. Driscoll’s grin convinced her he was serious. He pulled her down alongside him on the floor and cupped her face, covering her mouth with his. The passion that exploded in her body would have knocked her to her knees had she been standing.
Driscoll pulled her closer, angling her head so he could take the kiss deeper. His tongue nudged her lips and she gladly opened to him. Their tongues tangled, sweeping, tasting, sucking. Every fear, worry, and rage that had occupied her mind for the past few days vanished like a wisp of