Page 88 of Reluctantly Royal

“You are not going to propose to me in a hospital after I had surgery and while I still have to go through treatment. Isn’t it enough that we love each other? Let’s get through this next battle and then see where we are.”

I sat back in my chair with a thump. I couldn’t say I wasn’t chagrined. I’dnever proposed to a woman in my entire life, and to have it rejected by the woman I loved hurt.Merde,it hurt like a son of a bitch.

“Luc, please, don’t look like that. It’s not a no. I swear it’s not a no. It’s just…This whole thing is a lot. Can’t we get through this first, and then if you still want to propose to me after the doctor gives me an all clear, we’ll talk about it then?”

I lookedup from my sulking and saw the fear in Hannah’s eyes. I went back through what she’d just said and realized she wasn’t rejecting me—she was worried I wouldn’t want to be with her, either because of her treatment or something else along the way. There was no way that would happen.

“Okay,mon chou.We’ll do things your way.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. And if at any time you want to proposeto me, just let me know. I already have the ring.”

“You,monsieur,are ridiculous.”

“But you love me, anyway.”

“I do.”

“I love you, too, Hannah Allen.”

“I love you three, Lucien Arthur Beauregard Mathieu Greiner.”

“Wow, you got them all correct on your first try.”

“What can I say? I’m a quick study.”