Page 22 of A Wallflower's Folly
She stood tall, her shoulder’s squared and gaze burning into his. “Then you will leave at once.”
“Not before you know that I love you.”
Disbelief filled her gaze. “No,” she whispered, the word floating through the space between them.
“Yes,” William said as he strolled toward her with slow, cautious steps. “I have loved you for some time now. I thought you knew. Believed I could win your heart as well. When I realized that all I was doing was making you miserable, I decided to set you free.”
Her chin quivered as though she were fighting tears. “How am I to know if you are being truthful?”
He closed the distance between them. His chest mere inches from hers. “Look at me, Olivia. I’m a mess. I have not been right since the kiss we shared. You are all I think about…all I want. I love you.”
A tear broke free and rolled down her cheek.
William took her hands in his and hoped that she could see the sincerity and love in his eyes as he stared deep into her gaze. “I want to marry you, Olivia. Not because my sister’s need a mother figure. Not because you are convenient. But because you are the keeper of my heart.” He brushed a tear from her rosy cheek. “Forget about the betrothal. Let us start anew…right here, right now.”
Her eyes drifted closed, and his heart nearly seized to beat before she gave a small nod. Encouraged, he continued. “Lady Olivia Montague, I love you. Make me the luckiest man in the world by doing me the honor of becoming my wife.”
“I…” her voice trailed off.
William gave her hands an encouraging squeeze. “You don’t have to answer right now.” Crestfallen, he exhaled. “Let me take you home.”
“No.” She shook her head.
“If you decide not to marry me, I will honor your wish.” He started to let go of her hands, but she tightened her grip, holding him.
“Say it again.” The gold flecks in her eyes sparkled.
“Marry me, Olivia.”
She smirked. “Not that. Say the other thing.”
William rubbed his thumbs over her hands. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The truth of her statement radiated from her and William’s heart soared. He pulled her into his arms, capturing her lips, pouring his soul into the kiss. Breathless, he pulled back enough to meet her eyes and asked, “Will you do me the honor of becoming my duchess?”
Olivia beamed up at him, her lips pulled into a radiant smile. “Yes, my love.” She pulled his mouth back to hers for a soul-shattering kiss.
It was as though she absorbed him as their tongues swirled together, and mouths slanted over one an others. William could no longer tell where he ended, and she began, nor did he care. All that mattered was Olivia. His love for her and her love for him. He prayed they would spend the rest of their lives as connected souls, deeply in love.
He pushed the loose tendrils of her silken hair from her cheek as he gazed at her, half in awe and half in admiration. “You have made me the happiest man in all of Christendom.”
“Not yet, I haven’t.” She gave a saucy grin. “Take me home before we miss our wedding.”
“Your wish is my command.” He scooped her into his arms then laughed at the little squeal she emitted.
“In that case,” she angled her chin, bringing her lips close to his. “I command you to kiss me.”
William had never been so happy to obey.
