Page 34 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Chapter Thirty

“Blyth, I love you!” Orlando announced as he marched into her parlor.

She nearly jumped at his announcement, startled by his tone, then shocked when she realized what he had just said.

There was also a determined air about him. Forceful and commanding as if he were prepared for war. She had seen that look often enough, just never on Orlando before.

“Have you been drinking?” she finally asked.

“One brandy, that is all.”

She had seen him drink more than that in an evening and remain quite sober.

He loved her.

Orlando loved her.

While she was thrilled and happy to know that she was not alone in her emotions, the announcement was unlike him.

“I love you and I want you to be my wife,” he proclaimed. “I am tired of hiding and sneaking in and out of the back door.”

She blinked at him. Was this his idea of a marriage proposal? She wasn’t certain if she was offended or not.

“You will either be my wife, share my home and my bed or we will share nothing at all.”

“Instead of a request, you are giving me an ultimatum?” Oh, she would have liked to have told Orlando that she loved him to, but he just informed her that it was all or nothing without even the hint of a discussion.

Did he already see her as his property? If so, then he could go hang.

“You wish to marry me,” she said calmly so that she was clear in what she thought she understood.

“Yes, I do.”

“You never mentioned the possibility to me before.”

“Because…Because I knew that you would not have me.”

If he expected a rejection, why had he asked?

Except, he hadn’t. Orlando had marched in here and informed her how things would be and that was what angered her. She had thought him better.

His shoulders dropped and Orlando blew out a sigh. “I have been in love with you for the longest time and wanted to ask you before now, but you have held so tight to your independence and freedom, that I feared you would reject me out of hand.”

At least he was explaining which was a great improvement over his informing her of what was to be.

“I do not want to lose you. I want to spend the rest of my days with you by my side, but I can no longer go on in the manner in which we have. We will either be together married or not together at all.”

Her heart ached that he believed there was no other choice, and perhaps she had already sensed that in him.

It was then that she took in his entire appearance. His black hair was mussed as if he’d been pushing his fingers through it or hadn’t bothered to brush it this morning. His cravat was askew and he grey eyes were dull with worry and concern…longing.

“Did you spend a good amount of time rehearsing before you arrived to deliver your proclamation?”

It did not matter what was at the heart of the matter, or in his heart, he had informed her what was to be and he knew how much she resented her opinion not being considered.

Orlando blew out a sigh as he took on a defeated stance, quite the opposite of how he had entered.

“Let me begin again,” he said as he joined her on the settee.

Blythe scooted away. She had hoped to have smelled alcohol on his breath which would have explained this odd behavior and maybe she could have forgiven him, but she didn’t even get a hint of the brandy he claimed to have drunk.

“I do not believe that is necessary.”

“Yes, it is.” He gently grasped her hand in his. She would have pulled away, but there was no force in his action.

“Very well.”

“I am afraid of losing you,” he stated but this time he spoke more gently. “I love you more than I thought it was possible to love another soul. My heart beats for you and I do not want to hide my love for you any longer.”

He pushed his fingers through his dark hair again.

She had never seen him so discombobulated, and some of her anger eased as humor took its place.

“I was all prepared to come here on bended knee and ask you to be my wife, but the more I thought about how adamant you have been about your freedom and independence, I grew panicked and thus botched my proposal.”

She placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggle.

Yes, she had been insulted and angry, but as he explained, Blythe began to understand and now she knew what an uncertain and panicked Orlando was like, and if he hadn’t been ordering her about, she would have found it most endearing.

“I can assure you that nothing will change. You can continue to do as you wish. You can manage Athena’s Salon four nights a week.

You can sleep there and I will join you or wait for you to leave and escort you home so that you are safe.

You can choose to go into Society or become a recluse again.

None of that matters to me. What does is that you are with me, as my wife, and that the whole world knows. ”

Tears sprang to her eyes at his heartfelt declaration.

He truly did love her as she loved him.

“You would deny me nothing?” she asked just to make certain and she was curious as to his response.

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Unless you wish to break the law. I would advise against it, but I would not stop you.”

“But that is what I planned on doing next, when I got tired of being wicked.”

“Oh, do not ever tire of being wicked. That is, unless you are going to reject me because I do not think I could stand the idea of you being wicked with anyone else.”

“I do not think it would be nearly as much fun.” Nor could she imagine wanting anyone else.

“I can promise that it would not be,” he teased before growing serious. “Blythe, I need for there to be more than simply lovers. I love you and I hope that someday you might love me in return.”

“Oh, Orlando,” she sighed. “Do you not already know that I am deeply in love with you?”

“How could I when you have never told me?” he countered with a grin.

“Nor did you tell me, until today. I feared I was alone in my emotion.”

“Yet, you will not be my wife, why?”

“Perhaps it is because you have not actually asked me. You just stood there and told me how it would be.”

Orlando pinched the bridge of his nose. “I am a bloody fool.”

“I do not believe I can argue against you, dear.”

“Yes, well that was bluster and panic and fear.” He shook his head. “Then you will be my wife?”

“Are you actually asking me this time?”

“I will do this right.” He then dropped to a knee before her and lifted her hand. “Lady Blythe, you won my heart and I love you to the depths of my soul. Would you please consent to be my wife?”

Her smile widened and she leaned in and placed a palm against his cheek. “Nothing would make me happier, Dr. Valentine.” And then she kissed him.

He returned it with much more passion then brought her to the floor with him, and after a quick glance to make certain the door was closed, he went about showing her just how much he needed her.

When they were finished and lay panting, Blythe upon him, he smiled.

“Please, do not ever stop being wicked, my dear.”