Lover Be Mine (Legendary Lovers 2)

For a time silence reigned as they watched the splashing waterfall and the resultant ripples on the shining surface of the pool. The sun glimmered down, golden and warm, lending a tranquility that had been missing in most of their previous encounters.

Finally Jack took the plunge himself. “Will you do me the honor of giving me your hand in marriage, Sophie?”

Looking torn, she averted her gaze and stared down into her wineglass, but at least she hadn’t refused him outright.

Setting aside both their glasses, he took her hand and brought her palm to his lips. He intended to win her agreement to wed him before the afternoon was over. “You know I will make you a far better husband than Dunmore,” he began.

“That isn’t the issue. We have discussed this before, Jack. I don’t want to devastate my parents by marrying you, especially when your heart isn’t in it.”

“But we’ll be a good match, even without love between us.”

“I cannot let you sacrifice your freedom for me.”

“It won’t be a sacrifice. I will likely marry at some point, and I will never find anyone I want more than you. I want you for my wife, Sophie.”

She searched his face as she wavered in indecision. “What does your family say?”

His lips curved as he recalled the ladies’ enthusiasm. “They are more than eager to welcome you into the Wilde fold.”

“Even your cousin, Lord Traherne?”

Jack gave a dismissive shrug. “Quinn is not as convinced as the others that we are fated to be lovers.”

But even Quinn had eventually tempered his objections with a surprising admission during their final exchange yesterday. “The thing is, Jack, you can never get rid of us. We will always be your family, no matter if you become a pompous prince and live halfway across Europe. But none of us wants you to go.”

Jack had experienced a curious tightness in his chest, knowing that he had his family’s undying support.

“You will fit into our throng admirably,” he told Sophie now.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Instinct. And observation as well. I witnessed the welcome Ash’s new wife received.”

Maura had fit into the Wilde clan as if she’d always belonged. Jack felt almost as if he had gained a new sister. He had no doubt Sophie would complement their ranks just as well.

“If my mother were here, I know she would have approved of my choice of brides.”

That startled Sophie a little. “Why do you think so?”

“You have her same strength.”

His mother had been a rebel, determined to follow her own dreams—albeit with the financial fortune to live as she chose. While perhaps not as independent or wealthy as Lady Clara had been, Sophie was a rebel in her own way. He just had to convince her.

“You have my mother’s smile, did you know?”

“Do I?”

Jack had only recently realized that interesting truth. He remembered the warmth of that enchanting smile from when he was quite young. Perhaps that was why he’d felt a remarkable familiarity with Sophie from the very beginning.

There were significant differences, of course. His mother had lived a life of scandal; he didn’t want scandal or shame for Sophie. His mother had given her life for love; he couldn’t bear to think of that fate for Sophie. But it was tempting to think he could have the same kind of passionate love his mother had known.

“Come here, sweeting,” he murmured, spreading his legs to make room for Sophie in his embrace.

She obeyed without speaking. Drawing her back against his chest, Jack rested his chin on the crown of her head and breathed deeply of her fragrance. They sat there like that, gazing at the pool with its spritely waterfall. Holding her this way, in the sheltering circle of his arms, he was conscious of a deep radiating pleasure.

Sophie belonged in his arms; his conviction was stronger than ever. Somehow he would make her acknowledge that irrevocable bond between them.

After a time, he reached up to unpin the intricate knot of hair coiled at her nape, smoothing the tresses that fell around her shoulders. He left the crown of flowers as he combed his fingers through the luminous curls.