Page 88 of Ravishing Camille

“I should have told you more about what I wanted to do and why.”

She arched her brows, in total agreement. “Indeed.”

“I wanted to settle all my issues and come to you a whole man.”

She liked his sentiment. “You were always a whole man to me.”

He gave a harsh laugh and threw his head back to consider the ceiling. “I can be too organized.”

“A good foil for me.”

“Oh, yes. You, my darling, are too impetuous. You need me.”

She nodded. “I always have. But only now may I have you as I should.”

“I hope you will. Have me that is.”

She frowned. He needed to ask her. Ask her! “Why should I? How can I?”

He came so close she could inhale the application of his cologne and revel in the obvious attraction his body exhibited. “I sent cables to Victor and to Lee Macfarlane. Victor wants me to come to Brighton next week. Ada has false contractions and he dare not leave her. Lee Macfarlane confirms he and Brianna return to Paris on the tenth. I go to Liverpool for my father’s negotiations on the thirteenth. I’ve rented a house in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. But if you want to live here, I will do it.”

This was why she and he were a proper match. He, the planner. She, the spontaneous one. “My. You have been busy.”

“Very. I’ve spoken with the American ambassador and the British, too.”

She didn’t understand that. “Was that necessary?”

“Indeed. Neither you nor I can marry in France without certificates from them both.”

“I see.” She bit her lower lip and fiddled with the button of his frock coat. “And that marriage?” He had to ask, and if not, she had other options.

He stilled her hands. “Look at me. I am a good man. Too used to taking care of details, all my business before I enjoy myself. I am not impulsive. But measured. Too measured. Too contemplative. I want to change. Will change.”

“And how has this to do with marriage?”

He raised her hands and kissed her fingertips. “May I now proclaim what I should have days ago?”

“That would be wise.”

“I love you.” He strode right up to her. The light in his eyes was electric and she’d remember him thus until the end of time. “I love you.”

She liked those words. Raising her chin, she curled her shoulders like an ingenue infatuated with a new beau. “You do.”

He snorted. “You knew?”

She rolled a shoulder. “How could I not?”

“So then why are you mad at me?”

She really was angry now. “Continue as you were, sir. Or we will stand here all night!”

“Can I kiss you first?”

“No.”

He sighed and looked at the ceiling again.

She had a good idea what he was taken with up there, but this was no time to discussbas reliefsculpture. “You were telling me why you are here.”