Page 87 of Love, the Duke
“I remember being furious when Maman said I was too old to go with him anymore, and that I must behave as a lady at all times.”
His gaze slowly whispered down her face. “When you are with me you don’t have to act as a lady at all times. It’s permissible to just be yourself.”
“Then perhaps we can go for a swim later.” She reached over and kissed his cheek.
“That was another of my surprises.” He answered her kiss with one to her, but it was on her lips and deeper and longer as they settled more comfortably onto the blanket.
“I haven’t been swimming in many years. Do you think I will remember how?”
“Doesn’t matter. I won’t leave your side either way.”
“I like your surprises, Hurst.”
“Winston saved my life before teaching me to swim. Unlike you, I jumped right into the water, not realizing how deep it was or how little I knew about keeping myself afloat.”
Her brows drew together in concern. “I’m glad he was there to help you. And he might have been the one who saved your life, but to him you were always his hero.”
“Me?” He glanced out over the water. “No. I didn’t do anything for him but teach him how to jump over a fence. He was the one who helped me to realize I didn’t have to turn out like my father.”
“You were his friend and gave him many happy memories. I know you moved on to others when you moved away, but Winston never did. He took his work for the church seriously and never allowed anything or anyone to distract him from it. I suppose we never know how we influence other people or what others see in us, but I think perhaps because he saw that you were a very fine lad, he knew you must be a good man.”
Hurst caressed her cheek. “And I’m sure he has many good friends where he is now.”
“I think so too.” She smiled. “How did you know to bring me fishing if you didn’t know I knew how to fish? Was teaching me going to be one of your surprises?”
“No,” he answered. “The fishing is for me.”
“Oh,” she said quietly, allowing a curious expression to settle over her features.
“Do you remember telling me to embrace my past rather than trying to erase it from my memory?”
She nodded.
“That’s what I am doing today. As I said, my father and I didn’t come out to Hurstbourne often, but one of the first things we’d always do was grab the fishing poles and come here. We never caught a lot of fish or even a big one. We laughed, talked, and always had a good time. He didn’t drink when we were here. His uncle didn’t want him to, and I liked that. When we were here, I loved him the most and felt he loved me. That’s a good memory and I wanted to share it with you.” Hurst picked up her hand and kissed it.
“I’m so glad you did. I love sharing all of your life,” she whispered.
“You helped me realize that watching debtors take everything we owned, a woman stealing from his pockets, and my own guilt of taking money to help us survive were never as bad as the good was good. Does that make sense?”
“Of course.” She squeezed his hand in hers as she held it against her heart. “I’m glad you realize that now.”
“So am I, my love.”
“I have something for you.” He reached into the basket and pulled out a small package of yellow silk held together with a black ribbon.
“What is this?”
“Another surprise. Something I wanted you to have.”
She quickly untied the ribbon, and it fell away from the wrapping. There were three dainty handkerchiefs folded so that she could see a small bee had been embroidered in the corner of each one.
“These are lovely, Hurst. Thank you.”
“I wanted you to have something to remind you of our wedding day, that you are mine, you can trust me, and I will always protect you.”
“Yes. I believe that. I think I’ve always known it in my heart and the reason I came to London looking for you.”
“But I wasn’t what you expected.”
