“No?” Carolyn’s breath caught as Lord Franks leaned closer, his hand stretching out to take hers. “You mean to say that Miss Swift….?”
“Miss Swift was to be my bride, yes,” he answered, when she could not quite bring herself to finish the sentence. “But I felt nothing particular for her. I was fond of her, perhaps, but that was all. And that in itself is nothing compared to what I have in my heart presently, Carolyn.” His voice had deepened a touch, his hands now holding both of hers tightly. “There has been so much confusion and trouble these last few days but I confess to you now that through it all, my heart has clung to you. It has built up such an affection that I must presume this to be a deep and abiding love for you, Carolyn. I have never experienced such a thing before and yet it has taken such a hold of me that I cannot bear to be without you.”
Carolyn looked into his eyes and saw the love that he spoke of resting in his expression. Her heart swelled and she let out a small, joyous laugh that had her entire countenance practically glowing with happiness.
“Your heart speaks to mine,” she told him, seeing how his lips curved, how his eyes began to rove across her features. “You gave me your trust, Lord Franks, but in doing so, I fear that you have stolen my heart. I do not think it will ever return to me and the truth is,
that I do not wish it to do so.” She moved a little closer, her fingers pressing his. “Lord Franks, you are the only gentleman I have ever known who both knows and values the person that I am,” she said, honestly. “And I have seen the way that you press forward, refusing to give in, unwilling to do anything other than chase the conclusion until you have it captured. Your dedication, your courage and your strength are truly to be admired.” Pulling her hand from his, she reached up to press her hand against his face. “And I cannot help but love you.”
“Then you will marry me, will you not?” The words came from him in a burst, as though he had been waiting for her to finish, desperate to ask her the most profound of questions. There was a slight look of astonishment in his eyes, which was then replaced by a look of desperate longing, which she could not help but satisfy.
“I will,” she told him, leaning forward to press her lips to his in what was their very first kiss.