Page 68 of Lady Waldrey’s Gardening Almanac for Cultivating Scandal (Love from London #3)

“I’ve been a coward for too long. Though for me, perhaps life is just long stretches of cowardice broken by moments of courage.

I’m trying to string those moments closer together.

I’m trying not to go so long between moments of bold rightness.

I know I’m probably not making much sense, but I want you to know that I’m sorry.

I was sorry the instant I said those things about Jacqueline—maybe even before I said them—and not just because of how you reacted. ”

James opened his mouth as if to interrupt, but Candace held up a hand.

“I’ve already gone to the baroness, told her the truth of what I said, and apologized.

But I didn’t just wrong her that night—I wronged myself, and you, too.

So I’m sorry, James. And I know that even if you do forgive me, you probably can’t look at me the way you used to.

I accept that, but I thought you should know that I love you.

My greatest heartbreak this year wasn’t Shelbourne, not by a mile.

It was those words you spoke to me that night in the driveway—the truth of them.

I don’t deserve you, but that doesn’t keep me from loving you, doesn’t keep me from wanting you anyway?—”

He stopped her tirade in the most effective and pleasant manner possible—by abruptly taking her in his arms and putting his lips firmly to hers, muffling whatever words came next.

She sagged against him. A line of warmth grew where they pressed together—two sodden individuals come together in search of something much greater than the warmth of their proximity.

“I never stopped loving you—not for a moment.” He murmured the words, pressing fervent kisses to her jaw.

“In my mind, our attachment was never ended. I was angry. Jealous over what I thought was your reaction to Shelbourne’s engagement.

I should have calmed down before I spoke such things. I am sorry, too. ”

“There’s no need for you to be sorry. The fault lies with me.”

He shook his head. “I’ve replayed that night in my mind a thousand times, and each repetition sunk me lower. The cruelty those women showed to you...and I just sat there.”

“You tried?—”

“I should have tried harder . I should have stooped to rudeness, if that’s what it took. So much of what I said to you that night equally applied to me. Perhaps I also care too much for what people think, if I wasn’t willing to do anything to stop them.”

She shook her head. “No, James. You were right. They owe me nothing, and I shouldn’t have allowed their words to bait me into cruelty to a friend.”

He cradled her face in his large hands and smiled. “I can see that neither of us will be dissuaded from blaming ourselves, but I hope you hear me when I tell you that I’ve regretted the things I said to you ever since I left that night.”

“They were true,” she insisted. “They needed to be said. I needed to hear them.”

“Even so, I shouldn’t have spoken important words in anger. It made things terrible for both of us. I’ll endeavor not to do so again in the future.”

“And I will do my best never to let the opinions of small-minded people affect me so greatly.”

“Very well—we both agree that it’s entirely our own fault, and we won’t repeat the experience.” He grinned down at her, his expression suddenly lighter. “I spoke with your brother at the house.”

A thrill rousted in her stomach; a smile lilted her lips. “About the terrible weather, no doubt.”

“Among other things.” He shifted to one knee before her, her hand in his.

“That’s a very abrupt turn,” she chided, breathlessly.

James smiled at her, and she couldn’t help returning it. He reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small leather pouch, took her hand, then tipped the contents into her palm.

She gasped. The ring was a pleasant weight that had already been warmed by his chest. It was a gold band that lifted in the center to form the petals of a rose, which surrounded a perfect round diamond set in the center.

“Candace, I love you for the light you bring into every room. I love you for your stubbornness, your intelligence, your loyalty. I love you for the resilience you’ve shown, for the friendship you’ve offered me, for the kindness you show my son.

I hope that you can find half the joy in me that I’ve found in you.

Will you please be my wife? Will you please marry me and stay close to my heart always? ”

She was nearly choked by her own happiness. “Of course I will.”

He grinned and slid the ring onto her finger. Candace couldn’t help but hold up her hand to examine it there. The ring was everything she hadn’t realized she wanted. It sparkled, even in the dim light within the rotunda.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it almost as much as I love you.”

He laughed. “Good. I designed it myself.”

“Did you?” Her eyes flew from the ring to meet his. “It’s perfect, James.”

“I’m pleased to hear it.” And he did look pleased—smug, even.

Candace laughed at his expression. “So my brother gave his approval, then?”

“After I bullied him into it, he had to agree. I’m a duke, my dear, and he’s only a marquess.”

She shook her head at his purposeful hubris. “And when are we to be married?”

“As soon as this rain lets up, I should think.”

“And what shall we do until then?”

He gave a impudent grin before lowering his lips to hers and murmuring, “I have an idea.”