Page 47 of Dared By a Lyon
Ashlyn blinked back fresh tears as she shook her head. “Poor Elizabeth. And I’m sure there is a lot more to the story.”
“Yes, I’m certain there is. And she will tell you all—I invited Miss Vickers and her parents to stay here for a visit before they return to London.”
“Oh, that is very kind of you…”
“Your cousin, your aunt, and your uncle love you very much. And they expressed their deep regret about what you were forced into doing,” he said.
“Even so, I-I should have told you.” Ashlyn looked down at her tightly clasped hands in her lap for a moment, then raised her head and regarded him with such sadness that all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and hug her close. “I am truly sorry for lying to you, my lord,” she continued. “And to your dear mother, and sweet Caro, and everyone in your household, who have been nothing but kind to me since I stumbled onto your doorstep.”
Gabriel nodded. “I apologize as well. For not being the man that you felt you could trust to tell everything.”
“No! You are. You are the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. That is why I lo—” Her hand flew to her mouth again, and she blushed prettily.
“What were you about to say?” he said as he gently took her hand from her mouth and placed a quick kiss on her palm. “Any more truths you want to tell me?” he asked, his voice soft and patient.
“I have feelings for you,” she blurted. “I didn’t mean to let them develop, but I couldn’t stop them. I…I love you, but it’s too late for us…and you won’t want a physician’s daughter. There’s no money, no title…”
He grinned and squeezed her hand, placing it over his heart. “I know you love me. You were drugged last night when I helped you back to your room. You might have told me the wrong name when we met, but I know you haven’t been lying about who you are inside, and how you feel. I’m not a fool. I can tell when awoman has feelings for me. I didn’t know how to tell you how I feel, but I think I fell in love with you the night you arrived in the storm, asking for help for the three of you.”
“You d-did?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Let’s start over. How about we start with this?” He pulled her close and tenderly covered her lips with his. Their mouths parted, and their tongues met in a sensual swirl, exploring and dancing. His hands wandered over her, lightly touching her face and tracing her jawline as he kissed her. “I love you, Miss Ashlyn March.”
He got down on his knee and held her hand as he gazed into her eyes. “I want to make you my countess, if you’ll have me.”
The door to the house flew open, and his mother came out, stepping aside as Caro and her constant companion, Biscuit, ran out.
Caro ran up to them, tears streaming down her cheeks as she grabbed Ashlyn’s hand. “P-please don’t l-let M-Miss Vickers leave, Uncle. I l-love her…” she said in a raspy voice.
Shocked, Ashlyn, Gabriel, and his mother gaped at Caro. Even Biscuit cocked his head to the side and gave a little bark of surprise.
Realizing that she had just spoken aloud, Caro looked as shocked as they were.
“My child, you spoke!” Lady Ravensthorpe said in a choked voice, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“I think I-I d-did,” Caro said with a nod. “I did s-speak, didn’t I?”
“Yes, you did, my sweet girl,” Ashlyn said, hugging her.
“You’re c-crying, M-Miss Vickers. P-please d-don’t cry.” Caro placed her small hand on Ashlyn’s cheek.
“Aarf,” Biscuit barked, obviously wanting to echo Caro’s statement.
Gabriel blinked back tears, unable to grasp how momentous this was. His niece was talking again.
“I’ll try to stop crying,” Aslyn said. “But they are happy tears. And please call me Ashlyn. That is my real name. Ashlyn March.”
“Instead of M-Miss V-Vickers?” Caro asked.
“Yes. I hope that’s all right with you, Caro,” Ashlyn said. “I am so very sorry for not telling you my real name.”
“That’s just s-silly. B-but I l-like your name, Ash-lyn March,” the child said.
“Oh, thank you, my sweet girl,” Ashlyn said, hugging her again.
“You m-make me s-so happy. M-mama told me to trust you, and now I just w-want us to be together. P-please s-stay.” Caro turned to Gabriel, who reached out to caress his niece’s cheek. “I’ll still learn the sign language, if you want.”
Everyone laughed.
