I pushed back from my chair so quickly it nearly toppled over behind me. After steadying it, I hastily folded the letter in half without finishing it. I didn’t need to read the rest. I understood better than ever why she had kept me at arm’s length for so long. And there was no one to blame but myself. I fled the room like it was on fire. My feet skidded across the tiles in my hurry to the library.
I threw open the door once I reached it, the force making it slap against the wall on the other side. Arabella stood from her seat. She was positioned directly in front of the sofa she’d hidden behind the night I had made waves with Mr. Clodwick. The reminder was like a knife in my chest. I hated that I had been the one to hurt her—again.
“Arabella.” My feet came to a halt three paces in front of her. Her hands stilled over the handkerchief she had been wringing. And while her color was perfect, much like the rest of her, I knew she had been fretting. I longed to ease her worries.
“I’m so sorry.” I lifted the letter as a way of explanation. “I would never, ever, knowingly hurt you again. My friends and I were rude and callous. We thought only of making ourselves sound smart. But you must believe that I did not mean what I said that day. I kept your book. Indeed, I still have the copy ofThe Highwayman’s Escapein my room at home. I’ve read it dozens of times.”
“Truly?” her smile trembled, and her eyes flashed with uncertainty.
I shuffled forward another step or two. “I hope you write many more stories to come, and it would be an honor to read every word.”
She bit her lip. “This isn’t your way of convincing me to marry you, is it?”
“I hope to do plenty of convincing, Arabella, but I do not speak lightly when I tell you that your words are brilliant. I unknowingly borrowed two of your books from your father. They were fantastic—not just the mechanics, but the creativity is superb.”
Arabella gave a disbelieving laugh. “And Father didn’t tell you to say that?”
I hated that she thought so little of writing and that I had been the reason. “Your father did not tell me who authored the books. I only discovered it was you when I saw the handwriting on your letter. Myopinion means nothing, but I tell you this not as your friend but as a critic. There will be a bidding war over who gets the rights to your work, should you choose to publish.”
Her wavering smile suddenly burst into a wide grin as bright as the sun debuting in the sky. “You exaggerate worse now than you did as a child.”
“I would not exaggerate about something so dear to your heart—especially to someone so dear to mine.” I closed the gap between us with two long strides. As soon as my arms opened, she threw herself into them with a half-laugh, half-sob. I would hold her until every last fear that I had inflicted upon her disappeared forever. Dipping my head, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m so, so sorry. How can I make it up to you?”
She lifted her bright blue eyes to meet mine, the color gleaming with a sheen of unshed tears. Her smile, however, brimmed with happiness. “You’re doing a fair job of it right now.”
“I think I can do much better than this.” My lips fell naturally to hers, as if they belonged there. Her sweet fragrance soothed and invigorated my soul. The feel of her hands cradling my face breathtaking and wonderful. Her hands traveled down my neck and around my back. Everywhere her fingers touched left a streak of heat, sending fire through my veins.
I kissed her until we were out of breath. “I love you, Miss Arabella Delafield.” I stroked the downy skin of her arm just below her sleeve. “I want to spend all the chapters of my life with you until the very last page. Will you marry me?”
Her eyes danced like two gleaming crystals. “I love you too, Mr. Rowan Ashworth. But the last page of a good story always leaves me sad. I would like to counter your proposal and insist we write an epilogue together too.”
I chuckled. “You shall have it then. One very sweet epilogue, as you command.” I wrapped my arms around her waist, tucking her close to me. “Before we can have any happy ending though, there is something you must understand. I am not marrying you because of our family, or the silly bet with my friends, or any fancy book. I simply want you and only you.”
“I believe you. You’re too stubborn to hold me like this for any other reason.”
I grinned. “You know me well. Is everything right between us then? I don’t want anything left unresolved.”
“I suppose your kiss made up for a few years of grief. You can work on the other years later.”
“Later?” I wrapped one leg behind hers and dipped her back. She squealed with laughter. I bent over her, my lips hovering just above hers. “Why wait?”
She giggled. “By all means, you have my permission to apologize at your leisure.”
I dropped a kiss on the hollow of her neck. The silken skin nearly undid me. I could not believe that this woman would be my wife. “This may take all day.” I pulled her back up and thoroughly kissed her. I figured if someone found us and forced us to marry straightaway, they’d be doing us a favor.
Chapter 30
Arabella
While Rowan met with Papa to finalize our engagement, I rallied Elizabeth from her bed chamber and managed to gather her, Tabitha, John, and Mama in the drawing room.
“Did the letter work?” Tabitha inquired.
“What letter?” Mama asked.
“A love letter to Mr. Ashworth,” Elizabeth explained. “Did he like the part about the painting?” It had been her idea to start my life’s tale at the very beginning.
“The letter was perfect,” I gushed. “Thank you for helping me get it right.”