‘You did what? Oh, Alaric! You’d make a wonderful king. You mightn’t be able to see it but I can. And I’m not the only one. The—’
He silenced her with a finger on her lips, telling himself soon he’d feel their soft caress with his mouth.
‘It’s all right, Tamsin. I didn’t do it because I feared to take the throne.’ That was well and truly behind him, though it warmed him to have her as such a passionate advocate. Hope flared again and excitement sizzled in his bloodstream.
‘I discovered the king is obligated to marry a princess from Ardissia. I’d have to take on the throne and a ready-made wife. When it came to the crunch I couldn’t do it. I’d accept the kingship and all its responsibilities but I can’t marry another woman. Not when I love you.’
‘You did that for me? You hardly know me!’
‘I know you, Tamsin. I know the real you.’
He’d never known a lovelier woman.
He looked down into her stunned face. Her hair was loose around her shoulders. Her intelligent eyes were bright, her skin glowed and the delicate curve of her cheek made him want to stroke her till she purred. She wore a fitted russet suit he’d never seen before. It skimmed her curves in a way that made his hormones rev into high gear.
‘You’ve bought new clothes.’ He frowned. He wasn’t sure he wanted her looking good for anyone but him.
‘You really abdicated?’ She cut across him, staring as if she’d never seen him before. ‘But that’s…’
Her lips curved in a tremulous smile that snared his heart all over again and sent heat scudding through every tense muscle. ‘I can’t believe you gave up a crown for me.’
‘In the end it wasn’t the crown I objected to.’ He hauled her close with one arm, his pulse racing. ‘It was the bride. I prefer to choose my own.’
Cool palms slid around his neck as she pressed close, her eyes a blaze of molten gold. It was like staring into the sun. Surely she couldn’t look at him like that and not…
He took his courage in his hands.
‘Tamsin, could you forget the past and start again?’
For what seemed an age she stood silent. He held his breath.
‘I don’t want to forget,’ she murmured. ‘You’ve given me so much.’ Her smile warmed every corner of his soul and his pulse tripped into overdrive.
‘Tamsin.’ His voice was so husky he had to clear his throat. ‘Could you live with a man who’s made mistakes? Who still has to learn to how to settle down? A man with a scandalous reputation?’ He lifted her palm to his lips. ‘A man who has occasional nightmares about the past?’
‘I could.’ She looked so solemn, as if making a vow. ‘If you’re sure?’
The doubt in her eyes made him vow to prove to her, daily, how much she meant to him. ‘Never more so, my love.’
‘A scandalous reputation sounds intriguing.’ Her expression grew tender. ‘And as for nightmares…they’ll pass with time and help.’
She leaned up on tiptoe, her mouth brushing his in the lightest of kisses.
‘I love you, Alaric. I fell for you the night we met. I still can’t believe—’
He slanted his mouth over hers, relief and triumph and love overwhelming him.
She was his! He’d silence the last of her doubts. He’d devote his life to making her happy.
Much later, when the flare of passion threatened to roar out of control, Alaric stepped away.
‘What are you doing? Alaric! Your leg!’
Ignoring the pain he finally managed to settle on his good knee. He held her hand tight in his, their fingers threaded together.
‘I’m proposing. I want to do this right.’
‘Oh.’
She looked stunned. He’d finally found a way to silence her. But she confounded him by dropping to the floor in front of him.
‘Yes,’ she said, her voice breathless.
‘I haven’t asked you yet.’ He couldn’t prevent the grin that split his face. Joy welled in an unstoppable flood.
‘I’m saving time. You have to get off that knee.’
‘In that case…’ He pulled her off balance as he toppled back onto the thick carpet. She sprawled over him and his unruly body stirred.
‘Alaric!’ Tamsin gasped as he pulled her down hard over his groin. ‘We can’t. We shouldn’t. You’re just out of hospital!’
‘We can. We will.’ He kissed her soft lips and sighed his pleasure. ‘You can spend your life reforming me.’
‘Never. I love you just the way you are.’
She kissed him and Alaric silently gave thanks. In Tamsin he’d found the one perfect woman to make his life complete. He’d found love.