Page 88 of Love, the Duke
A hushed chuckle passed her lips. “And I wasn’t what you expected.”
“We were both surprised,” he agreed.
Ophelia nodded. “It may not have been clear when I first went to see you, but I trusted you with my deepest secret.”
He leaned away from her and gave her a mock expression of disbelief. “You could have told me that at the time.”
“I thought I did.” She gave him a mock frown.
“I can’t be expected to remember everything you said that night. It was very difficult for me, being attracted to a lady in men’s clothing.”
“I thought gentlemen liked for ladies to be mysterious at times.”
“Not that mysterious, my darling, but I’m so glad you came to me.” He slid his hand around her neck to cup her nape. “I didn’t want to marry you until I loved you and I loved you the first time I saw you.”
Ophelia hugged him. “You did not. You didn’t even like me that first night. You railed at me and raised your voice to me.”
“Did I?” he questioned with a twinkle in his eyes. “I don’t remember.”
“You know you did.”
“I’m mending my ways. Besides, I stand by my belief that my true feelings were skewed only because you weren’t properly dressed. It didn’t keep me from being attracted to you and finally forcing myself to realize you were the one destined for me even though we were at odds with each other.”
She looked deeply into his eyes. “I believe that too. I love you and don’t want to ever live without you.”
Hurst pulled her into his warm embrace and kissed her with his cool lips and caressed her with his warm hands. “You don’t have to, my love.”
Ophelia thrilled to his touch.
