She drew back. “Not exactly.”
“I did tell you I wouldn’t indulge fleeting reactions, did I not?”
She nodded.
“How can I stay angry when I know you would have given up your life for me? I know how much that means, beloved. And I think—that is, I hope I know why.”
Her lids dropped down over her eyes. “You cannot think me good anymore. I didn’t kill Willard, but I would have.
“Only in my defense,” he replied. “And I am glad you don’t have that on your conscience.”
She smiled a wobbly smile. “Just because you like my neck?”
He peeled away her collar and placed a kiss just beneath her ear. “Oh, I do.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
He never knew that three little words had the power to dry his throat while simultaneously wetting his eyes.
“Of course, you do,” he quipped, trying to hide how deeply he’d been affected. “Else why would you have lured me into that maze?”
“I’d like to lure you into a maze,” she retorted. “And I’d like to leave you there!”
“I knew you were trouble.” Laughter bubbled up inside his chest. Laughter, profound relief. “I love you, too, you know.”
“I didn’t.” Her voice cracked. “I’d hoped, but I didn’t—”
He pulled back to look at her face. “Say it again.”
“Say what again?” She feigned innocence.
“You know. Tell me you love me and, this time, I promise I will show you just how much that means.”
She grew serious, cupping his face in her hands. “I love you, Augustus Ambrose Merriweather. I love your strength and your honor. I love how you make me feel safe and challenged all at once. I love that you see me—truly see me—and don’t try to change what you see.”
“When…” His throat tightened. He forced out the rest of the words. “When did you know?”
“That I loved you?”
He nodded, gazing down into those eyes he’d feared he’d never see again.
“I don’t know for certain. You left me tongue-tied the evening we first met. Next, there was the heat in the maze. When I saw you coming to me at Almack’s, I felt like that moment would break my life into abeforeandafter, and it did.”
“For me as well,” he murmured.
“Not until this morning, did I realize I couldn’t breathe without knowing you were safe.”
He kissed her softly, lingeringly, gratefully.
“I’ve loved you since you called me a presumptuous ass at Lady Asquith’s table.”
“I never did!”
“Not with words, but with your eyes.” He smiled down. “And I’ve been yours ever since.”
“In that case,” she gripped the back of his neck, “kiss me again, you presumptuous ass.”
*