Page 43 of Lily and the Duke
It would be arrogant on Gabriel’s part to think that missing him might be part of the reason for these changes in Lily. It was far more likely to be because she had spent so many hours this past week in the company of the grieving Stapleton family.
Nevertheless, he was frowning his concern as he stepped down from his carriage directly in front of her.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Lily was so startled at the suddenness of Gabriel’s appearance in front of her that she came to a halt before falling back a step. “Gabriel…? I mean, Your Grace—Gabriel!” The second gasp of his name was made as he took a firm grasp of the tops of her arms so that he could claim her lips with his own.
Lily was so stunned, and she had ached to be with him again for so long, that she kissed him back.
Only to come to her senses seconds later when she realized they were standing outside on the street in broad daylight where anyone might see them.
She tilted her head back at the same time as she placed her hands against Gabriel’s chest and attempted to push away from him. Attempted, because Gabriel remained unmoving and as steady as a rock.
Lily glanced about them self-consciously before hissing, “Someone might see us.”
“Let them.”
“But—”
“Let them all see,” he dismissed again. “Lily, contrary to what you might believe, I am not ashamed of, nor do I have any wish to hide, my…feelings for you.”
“I— But—”
“There are no buts to that statement,” he assured.
“Why are you here?” Lily kept her gaze lowered as she attempted to change the subject to something she found less confusing. “Have you come to tell me the earl’s secretary has been found?”
“Found and arrested,” he stated with satisfaction. “But that is not the reason I have sought you out today.”
“No?”
“No. Darling Lily.” He held both her hands in his own. “When I offered you more a week ago, I do not believe I made myself clear. With your permission, I should like to do so now.”
It had been the most miserable week of Lily’s existence, knowing she would never spend another moment alone with Gabriel. Never be kissed by him. Made love to by him.
She was almost afraid to hope what he was going to say next. “You have my permission.”
He nodded his satisfaction. “Lily, you are the most beautiful, intelligent, kind, and passionate woman it has ever been my good fortune to know, and I am deeply sorry if I ever allowed you to think or believe I felt or thought otherwise.”
Her smile was shaky. “I think we might both be guilty of having done that.”
He eyed her hopefully. “We are?”
Lily took her courage in her hands and continued. “I, in turn, believe you to be the most handsome, intelligent, kind, and passionate gentleman it has ever been my good fortune to know, and I am deeply sorry if I allowed you to think I ever thought otherwise.”
“I love you, Lily,” he told her forcefully. “All of you. Every single part of you. I know I will continue to love you until the day I die. This past week without you has been hell on earth.”
Tears blurred her vision. “I love you in the same way, and this past week has been so horrible. I have always loved you, Gabriel,” she added shyly.
“Always?”
She nodded. “I fell in love with you the night of the ball when Chloe was introduced into Society. You, and the love I have always known I felt for you, are the reasons I knew I would never be able to love another man.”
“Dear God…!” He shuddered. “If I had not overheard you all talking that day— If I had not kissed you or made my scandalous suggestion— I cannot believe how close we came to missing each other!” He released a shaky breath before falling to one knee in front of her, unconcerned with the dampness of the cobbled road beneath. “Lily, you are already the greatest love of my life, but the ‘more’ I wished to offer you, to plead with you to agree to accept, is to consent to becoming my duchess.”
Lily was overwhelmed to see this haughty gentleman down on one knee in front of herin the middle of the wet street, proposing marriage to her. She had never dreamed… Never dared to hope…
“Please, Lily,” he encouraged gruffly.
