Page 122 of An Unwanted Spinster for the Duke

“To talk.”

“Why can’t we do it here?”

“Please.”

Marianne seemed to take that into consideration. Then, she nodded. But she didn’t look too convinced.

Minutes later, Dominic knocked on her door.

“Come in,” she called.

It was hard to gauge what she felt, but he knew that he must enter and see it through. He shut the door behind him carefully.He scanned the room, thinking about how much he missed this. Missedher.

Dominic wanted more than anything to hold and kiss Marianne, but he stopped a few feet away from her. He simply stood and waited. He promised himself that he would be patient.

“I’ve never been more afraid of anything,” he admitted, “than I am of this conversation.”

“Oh. Good,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “You should be.”

“I know I deserve that.”

He had not expected her to make it easier, but she simply sat in front of her vanity. Waiting. And yes,shedeserved everything. Him begging. And that was what he did.

He sank to his knees before her, even as she protested awkwardly. It was like confessing in a chapel about a myriad of sins.

“Marianne, I am sorry,” he began, his voice shaky.

He had never spoken like this. Even at his most quiet, he was confident.

Not now. Not with her.

“I dismissed your feelings, made you feel little more than a prisoner. Because of my words and actions, you thought that all of us men are like your father. When you left, I didn’t seek you right away. Instead, I drowned my sorrows in brandy and terrible company.”

Her arms loosened. Still, she said nothing. Her eyes glittered with what might be unshed tears, but even the furious could cry from anger.

“I was blind and arrogant,” he continued. “I thought I knew what was best for you. If I kept you by my side, you wouldn’t have had to suffer at Linpool’s hands. I failed you.”

“Yes, you did,” she uttered.

They were three simple words, and yet he nodded in acceptance. They were thetruth.

“I thought of many ways to say sorry, but none of them felt enough. I will say it over and over if need be, and will spend the rest of my life making things right, if you’d let me,” he promised.

The sound of the clock ticking became louder and louder. It filled the space between them and seemed to stretch on forever.

“I was terrified when I heard you order me to stay inside the house. It reminded me of Father. I didn’t say I would be gallivanting in faraway places. I only wanted you to be with me, since you wanted to protect me, as you said.”

“I will keep you close to me, Marianne. Always. If you’ll let me. My fears blinded me. I meant well, but I was harsh. I am sorry.”

“What would you do to prove that you’re sorry?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

“Anything,” he said fervently, still kneeling.

“Even giving up meat?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He blinked.

“No more roast beef, lamb with rosemary glaze, or duck confit. None of those. I know you love those dishes. Nothing.”