“You see, I’ve come to a decision about us.” She dropped her gaze to their clasped hands. “Actually, I’ve come to a decision about me and what I see for my future.”
“Oh?” Worry settled over him at the seriousness of her tone.
“I’ve allowed the events of the past few months to change my view of myself. To limit what I thought was possible.” Her lashes swept up, and her eyes met his, their depths shining with determination. “I was looking through a distorted pane of glass. Nothing was clear. But you and Caroline and even Aberland and Margaret as well as Mary and Sarah have helped me realize the truth. That I deserve a happy life. Being tossed in the brothel was an unfortunate occurrence that happened to me. But it’s how I move forward from that point on that matters, along with the choices I make.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what matters.” Pride filled him as he lifted her hand to press a kiss on her knuckles. “Your fortitude is to be applauded.”
She smiled. “I’m so pleased you agree. Because I choose you for my future, Daniel. I love you.”
His heart overflowed at her words. “That is perfect since I love you more than I can possibly say.” He brushed a finger along her cheek. “Does this mean you’ll be my wife?”
“Yes. Please. I would be honored to call you husband. And I want to share the news with everyone.”
“As do I. Immediately.” He kissed her again, love and desire tangling inside him when she wrapped her arms around his neck. Nothing had ever felt so good.
“Where were you?” she asked when he drew back. “I was worried.”
He hesitated, not wanting to ruin the moment by speaking of Finch. But she’d want to know. “Finch has been arrested.”
Her eyes widened, her body stiffening. Then her gaze swept over him as if to make certain he was all right. “What happened?” Her brow wrinkled with concern as she reached out a finger to touch his neck. “You were cut!”
“Nothing serious.”
“Are you certain?”
“Truly,” he reached to take her hand, “it’s nothing.”
“Thank heaven.”
He kissed the palm of her hand, lingering there, still unable to believe she was with him, let alone in his bed.
“What happened with Finch?”
“He was at one of his brothels when I encountered him.”
“Daniel,” she said on a gasp. “Why would you do something so dangerous?”
“Because he had to be stopped.”
Beatrice nodded slowly. “Yes, he did. Thank you for the terrible risk you took. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know he can’t do it anymore. You are my hero. Not only did you save me, but Mary and Sarah, and who knows how many others.”
A well of emotion rose within Daniel. The night had brought what he’d longed for—to do something that mattered. To know he was capable of handling himself in a situation where his life depended on it. But returning home to where Beatrice waited was what truly counted.
With a smile, he kissed her, pouring all he felt into the moment. His tongue sought hers, desire building until he pulled her onto his lap.
The feel of her soft body against his, her slim curves so perfect, had his passion flaring. He wanted to touch her everywhere, all at once, yet wanted this to last forever. He settled for somewhere in between, his hands lowering to the swell of her hips, then to her narrow waist before moving up to linger at the lower edge of her breasts.
She arched against his touch, her bottom pressing deliciously against his manhood even as her breast grazed his hand. Unable to resist the invitation, he caressed the soft mound.
The clothes between them were suddenly unbearable. Did he dare hope her presence in his bedchamber meant she was ready to begin their life together?
“You are beautiful,” he whispered as he kissed her neck, his fingers seeking the neckline of her gown. “I want you so much.”
“I want you as well.” She shifted back to look at him, her hand finding the opening of his shirt where her fingers caressed his bare flesh. “I want to be with you. To begin our life together. Now.”
He lifted her in his arms and stood. “There is nothing I would like more than to make you mine.”
DESIRE SPIRALED THROUGH Beatrice, sending liquid longing throughout her entire being. Never in a thousand years had she dreamed this moment possible when she’d first woken in Daniel’s guest chamber.
To think this tall, strong, courageous man loved her made her heart sing with joy. She wanted to show him how much he meant to her, how much she wanted him. Passion weighted her limbs as she wrapped her hands behind his neck and kissed him. Need pulsed through her body, wiping away the embarrassment she’d felt when he’d first woken her.
This was love.
She sighed as he turned to set her on the bed then straightened to remove his shirt. The sight of his broad shoulders and bare chest had her drawing a deep breath. The sculpted muscles and the dark, wiry hair that narrowed to a fine line and disappeared into his breeches were a feast for her eyes. She could hardly wait to touch him again.
Rather than remove his trousers, he bent close to reach behind her neck. “May I?”
“Please.” She lifted and felt a faint tug that suggested he’d undone one of the two ribbons that held her muslin gown in place. That wasn’t enough. She rolled to her side, and as if he read her mind, he untied the second one near her waist.
She reached up to loosen the drawstring neckline herself, her movements slowing as she realized how closely he watched her. Her breasts tightened with desire at the glittering passion clearly visible in the golden depths of his eyes.
“You are so lovely,” he whispered as he trailed a finger along
