Part 25 (1/2)

”Dear G.o.d, Mary,” he groaned. ”I want you; I need you; marry me.”

He was more than ready to carry this further, she realized as he pulled her closer, b.u.mping her hip into his groin. But even the thought of what that entailed no longer frightened her. She would always be safe with him. Loved. Honored. Cherished. Yet she still hesitated.

”Are you thinking clearly?” she asked, pulling back to look into his eyes. ”You know I will never fit into your world.”

He was panting, so it took him a moment to find his voice. ”That is the first truly foolish thing I've ever heard you say. You have never failed to meet any challenge you faced. After stopping a team of panicked horses and rescuing me from a killer, holding your own in London drawing rooms will be child's play.”

”Maybe.”

”Definitely. I wasn't going to pressure you,” he admitted. ”But after today, I can no longer be patient. I love you. I want to spend my life with you-and only you. Will you accept my hand in marriage?”

”I love you, James. I would be honored.”

”I will never hurt you,” he promised again. ”If you need time, you can have it, but I would like to wed as soon as possible.”

”So would I.” She reached up to brush the hair from his forehead. ”I realized today that my other fears paled against the fear of losing you. I trust you-for everything. I always have.”

”Thank G.o.d.” He pulled her close for another kiss.

This time it was a tap on the door that pulled them apart.