“Yes, sweetheart,” Heath answered.
She cocked her head, considering him. “I doubt I will ever want to escape you, my dearest Heath. And I don’t want to sail anywhere without you. But thank you.”
“You are quite welcome. Now…” he said, changing the subject, “where would you like to go first? I suggest we take our wedding trip to the Mediterranean. We can visit your mother in Brittany, if you like.”
“Oh, Heath, I would love that. I have always wanted to see France. And Italy and Spain-”
“Whatever my beautiful bride desires,” he said gallantly.
His lips lowered to hers to bestow a lingering kiss. Lily sighed in delight at the heart-soaring thrill his tender gesture gave her.
“So we are agreed?” Heath asked when he allowed her up for air. “We will marry on Saturday. We can hold the wedding on board the Zephyr and have a man of the cloth perform the ceremony.”
“Saturday should serve well enough. It will allow us time to call Roslyn back from her wedding trip with Arden. I don’t think she will object, since they didn’t intend to leave Kent until next week. I want my sisters to attend my wedding, Heath. And Winifred and Tess. And Fanny, of course. And Fleur and Chantel.”
“Of course, since they played such a large role in bringing us together. And I would like Eleanor there as well.”
Lily’s gaze sought his. “As long as she relinquishes any claim to you, she is welcome.”
One corner of Heath’s beautiful mouth quirked upward. “There was never any question of my marrying her. You have no reason to be jealous, although I admit to being gratified. I think you could become fast friends with Eleanor if you gave her the chance.”
“I like Lady Eleanor exceedingly well now, but I was ready to run her through when I thought you meant for her to take my place.”
“No one could ever take your place, my enchanting virago.”
“Good,” Lily said firmly. “For I have absolutely no intention of sharing you.”
Heath gave her a considering look. “I trust I have no reason to be jealous of your friend Eddowes?”
“Basil?” Lily almost laughed. “Not in the least. Basil is like a brother to me. Besides, he is head over heels in love with Fanny.”
“I suspected something of the sort when he kept risking a pummeling in order to save her.”
“I do hope they are able to solve their difficulties and find happiness together,” Lily said softly.
“Is that so?” Heath asked in a voice laced with amusement. “Pray don’t tell me that you intend to turn matchmaker, angel.”
She felt her cheeks coloring. “At least now I can understand Winifred’s compulsion to bring couples together.”
Heath chuckled. “I would say you have been transformed as much as I have.”
“More so.”
Exhaling a dreamy sigh, Lily leaned her head on his shoulder. Love had changed her, very much for the better, she believed. The protective shell around her heart had melted, all because of Heath’s relentless, unwavering pursuit of her. He had steadily chipped away at her defenses until she had no choice but to surrender.
And now the love she felt for him was powerful and irrefutable.
No one could be as fortunate as she, Lily thought, wordlessly raising her mouth to his. She had the love of an amazing man, and the promise of a remarkable future together.
Just as silently, Heath favored her with the kind of soul-deep kiss she had grown addicted to. His enchanting mouth possessed hers thoroughly, making her feel the dizzy rush of desire and need she only knew with him.
When she reached up blindly to untie his cravat, though, Heath stayed her hand. “What do you think you are doing, sweetheart?”
“I want to make love to you,” she said huskily. “I thought to give you a wedding gift. Myself.”
He held her hand away. “That is a gift I will treasure always, but I won’t accept it until we are irrevocably married.”
“Heath,” she began, her tone exasperated and imploring at the same time.