He stared at her in disbelief. “A week ago, you couldn’t stand the sight of me.”
“Well, now I can’t go on without you. If you’re intent on self-sacrifice, be self-sacrificing by my side. I’m not the easiest person in the world.” She yielded the very last of her own pride. “Lover or wife, I don’t care which. As long as we stay together.”
A familiar mulish expression settled on his features. “No. I want to marry you.”
More relief rose to choke her. She caught his intense, dark face between her hands and met eyes still brimming with uncertainty. “Then don’t consign us both to a lonely life, just because you sometimes get the shakes.”
He studied her. “Helena, I’m trying to do the right thing.”
She dredged up a smile. “Then make an honest woman of me. Really, Lord West, have you no scruples?”
Reluctant amusement tugged at his lips. “More than I ever realized. But you seem to have talked me out of most of them.”
Closing her eyes, she sent a thankful prayer heavenward. She was terrifyingly aware of how close she’d come to losing him. “Really?”
“Really.” The clumsy eagerness in his kiss showed as nothing else could that he was hers at last.
By the time he raised his head, she was befuddled and happy and shaking. Sniffing, she fumbled for a handkerchief in the satin reticule tied to her wrist.
“My dear Lady Crewe—” With difficulty, West shifted out of her arms and dropped to one knee before her.
Immediately she forgot what she was looking for. “Get up, West. That stone’s too cold for you.”
Despite her efforts to avoid him, he caught her hands. “Don’t tell me you’re going to be a nagging wife.”
“Probably.” She tried to break free. “I’ll take the romantic proposal as read.”
“No, you won’t.”
“For a decrepit ruin, you’re very highhanded,” she grumbled.
“You had your chance to run, and you didn’t take it.” His tight grip contradicted the humor. “My dear Lady Crewe—”
“You don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do. Now be quiet and listen, curse you.” His voice lowered to a velvety sincerity that made her tremble. “My dear Lady Crewe, I’ve long admired your beauty and kindness.” He ignored her soft snort. “You are everything a man could want in a lifelong partner. I’ll count myself the most fortunate of men if you accept me as your husband.”
“I will,” she said quickly.
“There’s more.”
She leaned down and kissed him. She’d expected resistance, but his mouth was eager. When she raised her head, her heart overflowed with happiness. “I don’t need pretty words.”
“Yes, you do.” He raised her hands to his lips. “Helena, I’m not the perfect choice.” He ignored the emphatic shake of her head, disagreeing with him. “Life will send us challenges. But you’re the bravest and best woman I know, and I swear I’ll cherish you until the day I die.”
Oh, dear. A lump settled in Helena’s throat, and moisture turned her vision misty. She should have found that handkerchief while she had the chance.
“Maybe I do need pretty words after all.” She curled her fingers around his and struggled for the answer he deserved. “West, I pledge myself to you. I’ll be proud to be your wife. Nobody has ever made me as happy as you have today.”
This time the kiss lasted much longer, and ended in the two of them entwined on the narrow bench. West no longer objected to her crowding him.
When he tucked her under his chin, she’d never felt so safe in her life. “The others will be pleased that we’ve made up our difficulties.”
Helena gave a gurgle of laughter. “I have a suspicion they already know. My fellow Dashing Widows have an uncanny ability to sniff out a wedding in the wind.”
“Now the Dashing Widows will all be cherished wives.” Despite the wedding breakfast, he seemed content to linger in the shadowy porch. “Will you miss your wild ways, my darling?”
“My dear Lord West, how very wrong you are.” She raised her head to meet his glowing eyes. “My dashing days have only just begun.”