Silence stood between them like an unwelcome intruder as she waited for his response.
Struggling to make sense of the situation, he closed his eyes and breathed a heavy sigh. “Is that why you started removing your nightdress?”
She nodded. “I wanted to give you my body as a pledge. But I’ve offended you with my wanton behavior.”
Is that what she thought? He’d hardly been offended in his dreams. But this was reality, and she was an innocent. He knotted the linens around his waist, then crouched before her. “Oh, Honoria. Nothing could be further from the truth. I want you more than you imagine. But I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret.”
Her gaze snapped to his. “My only regret is I didn’t offer myself to you eight years ago.”
Brushing his fingertips over her cheek, he gave her a rueful smile. “That would have been more of a mistake than this is.”
“Mistake?Why?”
“Because I wouldn’t have been able to resist you then.”
The pain in her eyes lanced at his heart.
“You said you wanted me, yet you’re able to resist.”
“I’m not a boy any longer. I’ve learned to control my appetites.”
“Oh.” The exclamation, no more than a whisper, gut punched him. “Is it because I’m . . . inexperienced and will disappoint you?”
“You could never disappoint me. But I might disappoint you.” A weak smile tugged his lips. “I’m also inexperienced.”
She blinked. “What? I presumed . . .”
“That because I’m a man, I’ve had sexual encounters?” He shook his head.
“Never?” she whispered.
“Oh, I’ve been tempted. I’m human, after all. But I never could bring myself to be with someone I didn’t love. If complete fidelity is expected of a woman, why not from a man as well? It never seemed quite fair to me.”
Slow realization bloomed on her face. “You only wish to be with your bride.”
“Yes.”
“Then let that be me.”
“And if your father objects?”
“My whole life I’ve tried to please my parents. To be the daughter they expected me to be. Sacrificed my own happiness. As hard as it would be, for once I’m choosing what I want, even if that means I could lose my family.”
Unbidden, his gaze darted to the untied ribbons of her nightrail. “And this has something to do with you coming to me in the middle of the night?”
Lifting her chin, she straightened her shoulders, her gaze direct. “Exactly. I’m here to prove my love to you in no uncertain terms. To give myself to you in pledge.”
Lord, she was serious. “You realize that once done, what you’re suggesting can’t be undone.”
“Well, of course. That’s the point. You did say you wanted me to choose you. To come to you of my own free will.”
“So you would compromise us both?” He wanted to laugh at the absurdity, but there was nothing humorous about what she proposed.
Those determined shoulders slumped. “I didn’t think of it that way.I only wanted to prove my love to you. To give you something I could only give once.”
He gathered her hands in his. “Then marry me, Honoria. I promise I will do whatever I can to win your father over. I’ve come to learn how important family is, especially when it’s too late to do anything about it.”
She threw herself into his arms, peppering his face with kisses.