The duke laughed again and he, too, got up, joining her in the center of the clearing. He put his hand against her cheek, and Charlotte was too overwhelmed with emotion to step away.
“Only yesterday I discovered something. Two of my investments have made significant dividends. Not one, but two, Charlotte! I’ve made a small fortune. I have enough to refill the coffers, pay off the debts, and I will have a significant amount left over.
But yes, the house is still in a state of disrepair because coming to see you was ultimately more important than anything in the house. Do you see now, Charlotte? I never was after your inheritance, and now I most certainly am not.”
“Congratulations on your success,” was all she could think to say, for as she stood there, staring up into his eyes, she could feel herself falling in love all over again.
Alexander smiled softly. “I don’t consider that success,” he said. “Not unless I have you by my side. You have to believe me, Charlotte. I love you more than anything in the world. I really, truly do. You can confront your aunt or ask Arthur. You could even approach Lucille if you truly wanted to. I know she would tell you the truth now.”
“Arthur?” Charlotte’s brow furrowed as it all began to make sense. When she looked at Alexander again, herexpression had turned to one of delight. “Arthur!” She giggled. “It must be true because he was the one who brought me here.”
“And he’s a very trustworthy man,” Alexander said with an eyebrow raised. “He wouldn’t do such a thing unless he knew with absolutely certainty that it was correct. So do you believe me now?”
Charlotte bit her lip as looked into his eyes. She’d missed this, simply being with him and looking at him. The nerves in the pit of her stomach turned to excitement and hope, and she nodded.
“Do you really, truly love me? More than anything?”
“More than I love anything in the world. More than roast guinea fowl. More than sugar plums. More than life itself!”
Charlotte giggled again. All her worries and concerns melted away. The only thing left was love and perhaps a pinch of sadness that it took this misdirect to bring them together again.
“That’s good,” she said. “Because I love you more than anything, too. More than books, even, and that’s saying something!”
Alexander raised his eyebrows. “More than books, you say? Now that really is something. I love you more than… hmmm, let’s see… than the heavens and the earth.”
“And I love you more than the smell of sweet flowers on a dewy morning.”
Alexander laughed and reached forward to cup her cheek. “I love you so much that I want to make love to you over and over.”
Charlotte’s giggling died away, replaced instead by a heaviness that entwined with desire. Passion throbbed within her. “Then perhaps you ought to,” she said in her sultry voice. “Just to prove yourself honest, I mean. Otherwise, how could I ever possibly believe you?”
Alexander glanced around, just as he had that day on the bank of the lake, then he cupped Charlotte’s other cheek, bringing her face to his.
Chapter 33
“So what do we do next?” Alexander asked as he did up the buttons on his tailcoat.
Charlotte had already righted herself, looking as she had just stepped out from the dressing room rather than up from a tussle on the ground. She approached the horses and began to untie their reins.
“We go back to the house, of course, and tell everyone our happy news.”
Alexander joined her, slipping an arm around her waist and planting a soft kiss on the side of her head. She tilted her head up and smiled at him.
“Aren’t you angry at your aunt? Surely you want to see her punished somehow.”
“I’m angry at her actions, yes,” Charlotte said. She placed her foot in the stirrup and hitched herself up. Alexander followed suit, once again marveling at this woman’s unconventionality. “But I haven’t yet decided what to do about it. Come along. If we hurry, we should get back at around the same time as Arthur.”
Alexander watched as she took off between the trees, confident in her movement. Even after he had taken his pleasure, seeing the curve in her back and the way her body rose and fell in the saddle set his manhood twitching with desire.
How different everything felt to just a few hours earlier. The world had color again. The world was alive, and Alexander no longer felt like he was being crushed beneath the weight of sadness. With a satisfied sigh, he clicked his heels and took off after his fiancée.
“Is this what life is going to be like once we’re married?” Alexander asked as he caught up to her. “You charging forward and me chasing?”
Charlotte turned and pouted. “We can take it in turns to charge forward if you like, but I won’t stand for stagnation. There are so many exciting and wonderful things in the world—and I want to try each and every one of them at least once!”
Alexander chuckled. “And that is exactly why I fell in love with you in the first place. Your bravery. And that’s not to mention your refusal to behave as you should.”
Charlotte tutted. “There is noshouldother than how one truly is. I will never be anormallady of theton.”
