When her gaze focused on his again, it was filled with determination. “I will go to London with my aunt, as planned.”
He pulled back slowly. “All right.”
“I’ve realized that you’ve made a valid point.”
He swallowed past a thick knot. “I have.”
She blinked at him and then rolled her eyes when understanding dawned. “Not that point, silly.”
He felt a smile attempting to form. No one in his entire life had ever called him silly.
She shifted, wrapping her arms about his neck and making herself comfortable in his arms. Making herself at home.
Oh blast it all. His heart nearly melted in his chest at the thought.
“I merely meant that you will not be convinced that you are the one I truly want until I have at least met other gentlemen and entertained more...suitable suitors.”
He gave a little grunt of rueful amusement. “Suitable suitors?”
She shrugged. “That’s how you think of these hypothetical young men, is it not?”
He arched his brows, trying to be as logical about this as she was being. Trying not to feel murderous rage at the thought of any other suitors in her life. “So you will go to London and...” He cleared his throat. Curse it. This wasn’t what he wanted. Not at all.
Her hands moved over his neck and shoulders, soothing his newly tense muscles as she gave him a comforting smile. “Don’t fret, Caleb.”
“I don’t fret,” he grumbled.
She ignored that. “I do not plan on seriously entertaining any young man’s suit.” Her gaze met his and it was filled with intensity. “My feelings for you are not at all superficial, and my nature is far from fickle.”
He nodded, temporarily struck dumb by her sincerity.
“But...” She let out a sigh that made her sound far older than her years. “No amount of me telling you this will prove to you that I have no regrets for falling in love with you.”
His whole body responded to those words and he pulled her in close, claiming her lips as though he could brand her with a kiss. He pulled back. “Say it again.”
Her smile was slow this time. Slow and sweet. “I love you, Caleb. I love you more than you will ever know.”
His heart was in serious danger. He’d never known just how vulnerable a man could be. Just how defenseless and weak. All it took was being loved by the woman of his heart.
She smoothed her hands over his shoulders. “If going to London will make you happy, then I shall go.” She tilted her head to the side. “Besides, it is too late to change plans. Aunt Lucinda may not be warm or even kind, but I suspect she is lonely. I don't wish to leave her without a companion.”
Of course she didn’t. His Abigail would never walk away from anyone in need. Even a crotchety old aunt. “So, you will go then,” he said, torn between relief that he was doing the right thing in letting her go, and terror that she might leave and never come back. He dropped his gaze to the space between them.
“But I will come back.” Abigail leaned forward until she was resting fully against him, her warmth cutting through the fabric between them to heat him all the way through. She tilted her head so she could catch his gaze. “And, Caleb, when I return...I fully expect you to marry me.”
He grinned. The feel of such a smile hurt his cheeks but he couldn’t have stopped it if he’d tried. She sounded so certain, and he so desperately wanted to believe her.
Marriage. A family. A home. That was everything he wanted, but there was only one woman who could give him that. Only one person in this world who’d ever made him feel as though it was possible. As though, maybe, just maybe...well, he might not deserve it, but it still could be his.
He lifted his hands so he could bury his fingers in her thick blonde hair, cradling her head so she was looking up at him. So she could see all the love that he could never again hide. “Abigail, if you still feel the same when you get back, you'll be stuck with me for eternity. I won’t let you out of my sight again. So take your time, my love. Make sure you know your heart.” He leaned down to kiss her softly. “For if you still love me when you return, I plan to make you mine. Because heaven knows, I am already yours.”
Chapter 15
Three months had never felt so dreadfully long.
“Are you certain you wish to go back so soon after your sister arrives tomorrow?” Aunt Lucinda hovered near the doorway to Abigail’s room, and Abigail smiled over at the older woman who’d become...well, if not a friend, then at least a beloved aunt.
After months of living together, attending soirees and balls together, her aunt, she’d realized, was not nearly as cold as she seemed.
Lonely, yes. But not cold.
“I do appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Aunt Lucinda. And Rebecca will be even more grateful, of that I am certain.”
Her aunt made a harrumph noise. “Well, at least your sister will give the gentlemen of London a fair chance.”
Abigail dipped her head to hide her smile. She’d never tried to hide her feelings for Caleb from her aunt. Even if she would have attempted it, she suspected her aunt would have sussed it out long ago thanks to the unceasing correspondence.
She reached now for the bundle of letters that she’d kept by her bedside these past few months. The mere sight of Caleb’s slanted scrawl made her giddy with excitement for her journey home.
She’d promised him she’d keep her options open and give London her very best effort, and she had. She’d danced with every young gentleman who’d asked. She’d entertained every visitor. She’d made small talk and laughed and
