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“Yes, well, I have it on good authority that marriage involves great risks for a woman.”
“Mmm.”
He hesitated. “Is that how you see it?”
She stilled in the act of replacing an empty plate in the picnic basket. For some reason it was suddenly very difficult to order her thoughts. Her pulse started to race madly.
“It involves risks for a man as well,” she said cautiously.
“Perhaps, but not quite the same sorts of risks.”
“No, I suppose not.”
There was a short silence.
Tobias cleared his throat. “I have been given the impression lately that our current arrangement may not set the best example for Emeline and Anthony.”
“If they choose to disapprove, that is their problem, not ours.”
“Well, that is certainly one way of looking at the matter.” Tobias drummed his fingers on the blanket. “Anthony mentioned the other day that if you and I shared Number Seven Claremont Lane, he and Emeline could move into my house.”
“Tobias, if you are hinting that we should get married merely for the convenience of Anthony and Emeline, I must tell you-”
“No.” His jaw tightened and his eyes heated. “I am suggesting that we get married for my sake. I had intended to wait until the ship in which I have an investment returns, but I ca
She stared at him, feeling trapped and breathless. She had spent the past few weeks wondering what she would do if he asked her, and now the moment was upon her.
She licked her dry lips and swallowed. “Oh.”
“I do not have a great deal to offer you, but I am not entirely destitute. In addition to the house that I own, I have some other, smaller investments that I have made over the years. The private-inquiry business seems to be getting somewhat more reliable of late, possibly because I now have you for a partner. I ca
“I see.”
“I love you, Lavinia.” He sat up slowly and reached for her hand. “I have come to dread going home to my lonely bed. I want to spend my nights with you. I want to sit by the fire with you on cold winter evenings and read by the light of my new lamp. When I am unable to sleep at three in the morning because I ca
“Tobias.”
“I am asking you to take the risk of marrying me, my love. I swear, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you never regret it.”
She twined her fingers tightly with his. “Tobias, you misunderstand. I think everyone misunderstands. Yes, marriage is a risk for a woman, but I do not fear marriage to you. Rather, I am afraid that you are the one who would regret such a close and unbreakable alliance.”
“How can you even suggest that?”
“I am so very different from your beloved A
His hands enclosed hers. “Heed me well. I loved A
Joy flowed through her, pure and clean and certain as the sun that warmed them.
“Yes. Oh, yes, my love.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth. “And, yes, life has changed me also. Tobias, I must tell you that until I met you, I never dared to dream that love could be this rich and deep and wonderful.”
He smiled and slowly, deliberately, pulled her into his arms. She was intensely aware of the strength in his hands and the certainty in his eyes. The summer day was as perfect and clear and dazzling as an exotic gem lit by fire.
“Does this mean that my offer is accepted?” he asked, lowering his mouth to hers.
“With all my heart.”
In the instant before he kissed her, she had a fleeting memory of her conversation with the old man on the park bench.
Some dreams are worth the risk required to make them real.