She tried to move away—she was practically plastered against his chest—but his arm was firmly wrapped around her, and he made no move to release her.
She didn’t try very hard. His body was so warm and so comforting.
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
He took a deep breath. “I made a dreadful mull of things this morning.”
“This morning?” She couldn’t think for a moment. So much had happened.
“When I asked you to marry me.”
“Oh, that.” It felt like an age had passed since then.
“Yes, ‘that,’ ” he repeated dryly. “I was an ass, a fool, a self-centered, oblivious, brainless clod when I spoke to you that way. I was swimming in guilt, you see—not thinking about you at all, but only about myself and how I’d ruined you. I couldn’t even look you in the eye.”
“I noticed.” She swallowed. She hadn’t expected this, not at all. “But I think you should know that I don’t feel ruined in the slightest. I chose what we did last night—or have you forgotten? It was my responsibility.” It was always the woman’s fault.
“Nonsense. It was entirely mutual. And except for any consequences we might face, I don’t regret it for a minute. It was a glorious experience and one I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”
Did he really mean it?Treasure for the rest of his life? Consequences we might face?
He placed a finger beneath her chin and gently tilted her face up. “You really are exhausted, aren’t you? I should undoubtedly leave you in peace and let you go up to bed, but I can’t, I just can’t.” He gave her a rueful smile.“Besides, with you too tired to argue, I have a better chance of getting through the speech I’ve been rehearsing all week.”
She stared up at him, bewildered.Speech?
“I’ve wanted to say this ever since I walked out of the room this morning, even before that—last night—and I cannot let another night pass without telling you.”
“Telling me what?”
He gazed down at her for a long moment and sighed. “See, that’s the problem. I gaze into your glorious eyes, and every coherent thought I ever had vanishes. It was quite a good speech, too.”
She had no idea what he was talking about. “What speech? Speech about what?” For a moment all she could think of was a speech to Parliament. He was a member of the House of Lords, after all. But that made no sense.
He took a deep breath. “No speech. Just, I love you.”
For a moment Izzy couldn’t breathe. “What did you say?” she whispered.
“I love you.” His lips twitched. “There it is, plain and simple, the words I’ve been wanting to say for so long, and failing miserably at it.”
“You love me?”
“Yes.” He took her hand and placed it against his heart. “I love you and I want to marry you—not because I took your virginity, not because I feel obliged nor any other of those stupid things I said this morning. Just, I love you and I’m proud of you, and I cannot imagine a life without you in it.”
Keeping her hand in his, he went down on one knee. “So, Isobel Burton Studley—my lovely Belle—will you please do me the very great honor of bestowing on me your hand in marriage?”
Izzy stared down at him. She couldn’t think of what to say. “But you’re an earl.”
“I know. Why? Is that a problem? You’ll be a countess—if you say yes.”
She tugged on his shoulders and made him stand so she could look him in the eye.
“You’re not doing this because of Pomphret, are you? Or because I’m no longer a virgin? Because you didn’t seduce or me, you know—I wanted it as much as you did.” She couldn’t bear it if this were some kind of gallant gesture.
“I doubt it. But no, none of those is important. I’m asking you for one reason only: I love you and I don’t want to live another day without you in my life.”
At his soft words, Izzy was melting inside. But she had to give him one last chance. “I’m a nobody, Leo. And a bastard. I would hate to be a millstone around your neck.”
