The Art of Taming a Rake (Legendary Lovers 4)

“Thank God he failed,” Venetia murmured. “But I am so very sorry about your family, Quinn.”

“As am I.” Remembering the grief he’d felt as a young man, he clenched his jaw. Yet whatever sadness he now felt was overshadowed by the anger that gripped him. “My mother suffered the ultimate betrayal by a man who professed to love her.”

After a moment, Quinn added absently, “I may still try to find the shipwreck. Montreux confirmed the general location where the Zephyr went down. Even though he will likely hang for his crimes against me, I want justice for his victims after all these years, and I would derive greater satisfaction if their murders could be acknowledged. He should pay for what he did to you as well.”

Quinn eyed the bruises at Venetia’s throat and felt his ire rise. “I should have shot him through the heart. I am furious at myself for not figuring out sooner what he intended. When I learned he had taken you, I was terrified.”

Venetia looked away. “I knew you would find me.”

Her trust moved him, as did her spirit, her fearlessness. But he still couldn’t forgive himself. “I am more sorry than I can ever say for what he did to you, Venetia.”

Venetia heard the remorse in Quinn’s voice and knew it was genuine, yet she couldn’t let herself dwell on his feelings.

“Are you in much pain?”

“Not much,” she lied. Her heart ached more than her body did, since her fears and doubts had only built over the past few hours. Misery twisted inside her now, knotting her stomach.

She badly wanted Quinn to hold her, but she wouldn’t let herself ask for comfort. Not when she would only be prolonging the agony of parting. The reminder sent a fresh wave of loneliness and heartache washing through her.

He must have noted her despair, for he leaned forward and reached out to take her hand, enfolding it in his larger one.

She tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn’t allow it. “Please…look at me, Venetia.”

She obeyed unwillingly and found him searching her face. He seemed reluctant to speak, though.

Finally, Quinn cleared his throat. “First I need to correct a grave misunderstanding. Last night when I claimed not to love you, it was a bald-faced lie. I didn’t want Montreux to know how much you meant to me. I couldn’t bear the thought of him harming you. If you had died…”

Briefly Quinn shut his eyes before once more focusing on her intently. “I was scared witless, Venetia, but there was a moment when I could only think of the irony. I had finally found love just when I might lose you.”

Her lungs gave a hard squeeze. When she stared at Quinn speechlessly, his mouth curled in a humorless smile.

“Believe me, loving you was never my intent. I was determined to master my own fate and never again fall in love as I did in my callow youth. But I couldn’t help myself. From the beginning, I saw the great lengths you were willing to go to in order to protect your sister. I wanted that kind of devotion for myself, Venetia. And last night you risked your life to stop Montreux from shooting me.” He paused to let his words sink in. “That is exactly the kind of mate I want for my wife, Venetia. A woman of unquenchable spirit and courage.”

Venetia felt herself tremble. She closed her eyes, hoping this wasn’t a dream, a sheer fantasy.

When she opened them again, Quinn was still watching her earnestly. “I realize that you intend to return to France soon, but I don’t want you to go.”

Still not trusting what she heard, she looked down at their clasped hands, his long, powerful fingers curling around her smaller ones. His gentle touch made her heart ache with longing, as did his next quiet declaration:

“I know I promised you your independence. And if that is what you truly want, I will honor my word. But I want a real marriage with you, Venetia.” He hesitated once more. “If you put your heart in my hands, I swear to cherish it and keep it safe always.”

The words bathed her in desperately needed warmth, and when she looked up again, she saw tenderness and love in Quinn’s expression, along with an anxiety she never expected to see.

His voice dropped to a pleading murmur. “Stay with me and be my wife, Venetia. Let me be your husband.”

Such simple words, such a powerful impact on her heart.

In response, Venetia uttered a small sob and buried her face in her hands.

Voicing an alarmed oath, Quinn stood and pulled down the covers, then scooped her off the bed and sat down in the chair with her on his lap. Cupping her chin, he angled her head so that he could stare into her eyes. He looked dismayed—until he saw that she was smiling through tears she hadn’t realized she was crying.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes…” She drew a shaky breath. “You just caught me by surprise.”

His gaze lingered on her face with an endearing uncertainty. But when she started to speak, he touched his fingers to her lips. “Please, I need to finish. It’s true I wed you for honor’s sake. I expected to have a union of convenience, nothing more. I was so certain I didn’t need anyone, that I would be happy with a solitary existence if you returned to France. I thought I would be content living apart from you, leading separate lives. But my heart will never be content with anyone but you, my darling Venetia.”

Venetia searched his face, hardly daring to acknowledge the joyous racing of her own heart. “I can’t believe you truly love me.”