“Weak!” Dane exclaimed stepping forward to offer his assistance, but she dismissed him with a wave of the hand. “It has taken him the best part of three weeks to accomplish something he would normally achieve in an afternoon. Under the circumstances, I believe Marie has been exceptional in her attempt to defy him.” He glanced towards the end of the bed and said, “May I sit?”
Sophie nodded reluctantly, for to be in such close proximity would only cause more pain and disappointment. She took another sip of tea and placed the cup back on the table. “What did you mean when you said you would develop a stoop living here?”
“Exactly that,” he replied. Examining the bed, he added, “Perhaps I should spend an equal amount of time lying down. This bed is rather on the narrow side, but it shouldn’t be a problem. I am sure you —”
“You cannot stay here,” Sophie interrupted, overcome with a wave of panic. “We cannot continue as before.” Although there was nothing she desired more.
Dane smiled. “I know that,” he said softly, his warm brown eyes melting her heart. “But I am not leaving, not now, not ever.”
Sophie wanted to throw her arms around him, to draw him down, to feel the weight of his body, to plead with him to keep his vow. But she held her resolve. “And do I not have a say in the matter?” she said coolly.
Dane searched her face and his gaze came to rest on her mouth. “If that beautiful mouth of yours would just speak the truth. If those sumptuous lips would convey what was in your heart instead of what is muddling around in your head, then I would gladly listen to what you have to say.”
He was still staring at her mouth and she moistened her lips. “I have told you, told you in my letter. I want to be left alone, left to live independently and away from —”
Dane leaned forward and placed his finger on her lips to silence her. “No, you don’t,” he whispered. “Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid to be yourself with me. I know what you want, what you desire. I know what you need because you live inside me.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Our lives are entwined whether you wish it or not.”
Sophie placed a trembling hand on his arm. “Do you not think I know that? Do you not think I feel it too?” she cried allowing her emotions to run free. “But you must think of your responsibilities. You have not worked all these years to be saddled with a hothead. I am wild, impetuous, and untamed and would probably cause you no end of embarrassment.”
Dane gave a frustrated sigh. “Sophie, there is no woman in this world I admire and respect more than you. You were willing to sacrifice yourself for your family. What man could ask for more from a wife? What child could ask for more from a mother? He leaned forward again, this time to wipe a tear from her cheek. “I love you. I have loved you from the moment I pulled you down from your horse. I have loved parrying words with you in my study, loved the look of wonder on your face at Rockingham Pool. I particularly love your passion for secluded carriage rides.”
His words enveloped her like a warm blanket on a cold winter’s night. “It’s because I love you, so very much,” she cried, “that I cannot let you make such a sacrifice. There is no dowry. I have nothing to offer —”
“I do not need money, Sophie,” he laughed incredulously. “Dudley and I, we were sensible enough to invest our earnings in order to provide a yearly income. I shall never need to think about money again. Besides, if you care anything for the welfare of little Mary Hodges and the rest of my tenants, you have to marry me.”
Sophie raised a brow and smiled coyly. “Oh and why is that?”
“Because without you, I am afraid I may resort to buying diamond-encrusted watches or be forced to start a collection of rare snuff boxes, all in the hope of dulling the pain.” He shuffled forward and cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the outline of her lips. “I cannot live without you. I am even prepared to write to Bertram and offer him the running of Westlands. If you’ll let me stay here with you.”
Her heart skipped a few beats and a lump formed in her throat. He would sacrifice everything he had ever worked for, everything he had achieved, for her. She could not live without this man and he could not live without her. Somehow she would make it work.
“There will only ever be one Mr. Shandy at Westlands,” she replied, “and it will not be your second cousin Bertram.”
He took her hand in his. “Say you’ll be my wife?” Too impatient to wait for her answer, he pulled her up into his arms and kissed her deeply. “Marry me.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll marry you.”
Amidst breathless kisses, the words I love you passed back and forth between them until Dane suddenly stopped. “Wait there,” he said rushing out of the door. He returned with the red velvet pouch. “It was to be a wedding present, but I can’t wait.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “Is it my mother’s necklace?”
“No,” he corrected. “It’s your necklace.” He removed it from the pouch and held it out to her. “Here let me put it on. I have spent a whole month dreaming of you wearing this.”
“I can’t wear it with this dowdy old dress,” Sophie exclaimed, gesturing towards the brown muslin.
Dane cast a lascivious smirk. “My thoughts exactly,” he drawled. He gestured to the bed behind them. “And I believe we have some catching up to do.”
Epilogue
Eighteen months later
Sebastian opened his eyes, stretched and turned to drape his arm over his wife’s warm body — except the bed was empty. Assuming she had gone to the nursery, he yawned as he pulled the coverlet up around his shoulders and drifted back off to sleep. Indeed, it was some time before he was woken by his valet, walking jauntily into the room with a breakfast tray.
Sebastian propped himself up on his elbows and glanced at Claude with some amusement. “I take it Mrs. Bernard is in a good mood this morning?” he asked. Although looking at Claude’s happy disposition, he knew the answer to his question.
“She is still talking about Lord Delmont’s personal compliment regarding the smooth running of the garden party,” Claude answered, placing the tray on the bed next to Sebastian without so much as a glimmer of discontent. “I fear we shall all be hearing about it for months.”
He should invite Delmont more often, Sebastian thought with a chuckle as he glanced down at the tray, his stomach rumbling in desperation at the delicious sight of sliced ham and eggs. “And what good deed have I performed to deserve such a treat?”