Page 14 of The Duke I Wished For (A Maypole in Mayfair #5)

D affodil tugged on Blake’s hand, urging him down the hall. If they just walked the opposite direction from her mother’s voice, they would surely make their way back into the throng of the party without being discovered.

As far as Daffodil was concerned, this was her way of repaying the duke after he’d saved her from Mr. Benson’s unwanted advances.

Because no one scared her more than her mother. And the countess had her sights set on a duke for a son-in-law.

Which meant that if, after she shared all her feelings with him, he wished to change his mind and not marry her, she’d make certain he had that choice. Her heart twisted at the idea. Watching him turn away from her now would hurt so much, but she’d give him that option.

She’d tell him how she felt and then she’d allow him to decide if he still wished to marry her. She’d be brave…

She thought of that butterfly she’d seen that morning around the maypole. And how she’d wished to be transformed into the winged creature so that she might escape her fate. She’d not run any longer. Nor would she hide.

She’d face whatever came next with her chin high.

They slipped from the hall and into the throng of partygoers, the four-piece orchestra in the corner striking up a waltz.

Blake gave her hand a bit of a tug and she stopped attempting to move through the crowd as she turned back to look at him.

His fingers still tangled in hers, he leaned close. “Shall we dance?”

She turned to him, giving a quick nod. She had so much to say but it might be easier if they were moving, occupied, when she confessed her true feelings.

This time, it was he who tucked her hand into his arm and began to push through the crowd to find an open spot on the dance floor.

He was much better at parting the crowd, and soon they’d found a spot in the center of the floor.

When his hand came to her waist, she found herself looking up into his dark glittering eyes, words failing her as they began to move.

For several minutes, they didn’t say a word. Instead, she enjoyed the feel of his large hand clasping her waist, his strength as he took purposeful strides about the dance floor, and the intimate air that seemed to surround them.

She drew in a deep breath, hoping to preserve this moment when his voice cut through her hesitation. “It’s all right if you don’t wish to wed me.”

She gasped, surprise making her lips part. “What?”

“I mean, I’ll be disappointed, but if you don’t wish to be my wife, I would always respect your choices.”

“Is that what you think?” She’d just kissed him. Her first ever. How could he think that she didn’t want him? But then again, she hadn’t actually talked about much of anything…other than embroidery.

Silly girl , she chastised herself.

“I’ve spoken of marriage twice.” His features tightened, the skin around his eyes growing pained and tight. “And you’ve not answered…yet.”

“Oh. I haven’t. I’m so sorry.”

He shook his head. “It’s all right. There is more I need to say anyway, but I just wanted you to know before I begin that I’ll understand no matter what you choose.”

She tried to reply but she was just so… How did this man do it? Just when she thought he might not be any more perfect, he proved her wrong. “Blake.”

He shook his head. “Clarissa told me that I needed to share all sorts of things. And I’ve done a poor job of saying most of them.”

Daffodil knew that she needed to be the one to share her feelings, but curiosity got the better of her for a moment. “What did she tell you to say?”

“Well,” he smiled then, looking so painfully handsome that she could barely breathe. “She told me to tell you you’re pretty, for starters.”

“Accomplished,” she laughed.

“And to share that I liked your company, as does she. A great deal, in fact.”

Daffodil felt her heart rise into her throat.

“I like your company too.” They were building toward some confession and fear filled her once again.

This was her chance to be strong for him, and she needed to take that opportunity.

She snapped her shoulders straighter, holding his gaze.

“I like your company too, Blake. In fact, I more than like it.”

He slowed his steps, looking down at her curiously. “Do you?”

“I do,” she answered, drawing in a fortifying gulp of air.

“Then why didn’t you want your mother to see us together?” He sounded hurt and she gasped to think that she’d wounded him in some way.

“Because…” She squeezed his biceps. “I’d never let my mother force your hand. If you wish to marry me, then that is one thing, but I’d never allow you to fall prey to my mother’s scheming.”

First surprise and then warmth filled his eyes. “That is most thoughtful of you.”

She took a long deep breath. “There’s more.”

“Is there?” But his eyes now danced with amusement as he stared down at her.

“There is.” Her fingers dug into his muscles as though his strength would seep into her if only she held tightly enough.

“Tell me.”

They were still dancing but they must have been moving at half the speed of the other dancers. Her teeth caught her lip as she looked up at him. “I greatly appreciated your proposal.”

Some of his mirth disappeared. “It wasn’t my finest work, though, I must confess. I’m not the best with feelings and expressing them. I’ve never had to before.”

That took her by surprise. “But you were married.”

Blake slowly shook his head. “I was. To a very good woman who had excellent embroidery skills.”

She winced. Yes. His first wife had lovely stitching, the sort Daffodil would never have, not if she practiced all of her lifetime. “Did she have a wonderful dowry and perfect connections?”

Blake stared down at her then, quiet for several seconds as she waited for her answer. “I suppose she did.”

That hurt. Knowing that his first wife was everything she wasn’t. Still, she needed to finish what she’d started.

Be brave , she chanted in her head. Be brave. “I would understand if you don’t find me suitable by comparison.”

That made his brow furrow. “I wouldn’t have asked for your hand if I found you lacking.”

She supposed that was some sort of consolation.

Still. She drew in another long breath before she continued.

“Well, you see, the problem is that I…” She stopped, not able to dance and say her next words.

The truth tumbled from her lips as she exposed the very heart of the problem. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you.”

He stopped too, staring down at her with his mouth open. “What?”

“I’ve fallen in love and if you think it inappropriate to marry a woman with that depth of feeling, then I would understand if you?—”

But suddenly he had her hand in his again, and he was pulling her from the floor, their fingers lacing together.

Blood roared in her ears as she tried to decide what he was thinking. She stumbled just a bit, and suddenly, he let go of her hand and wrapped his arm about her waist, pulling her tight to his side to keep her steady. Surely this was a good sign?

Several people stared and heat filled Daffodil’s cheeks, but Blake didn’t seem to notice or care as he tugged her out onto the open patio and into the evening air.

There were several guests milling about, but he quickly found a quiet corner in the shadows, and she found herself wrapped in his arms.

“Daff,” he murmured, and then his lips were covering hers once again.

She sighed into them, her arms threading about his neck as he kissed her over and over.

And then he finally raised his head, he looked down at her, the darkness making it too difficult to read his eyes, but his next words left no doubt. “I love you too.”

“Oh,” she cried, delight making her bounce on her toes the slightest bit. “Well, that does make things easier.”

He laughed, a low chuckle that seemed to move through her, touching all sorts of places inside and melting her heart a bit more.

“It does,” he whispered close to her ear before he kissed the skin just underneath her lobe.

A sensitive spot that made her shiver. “And the other bit that makes things easier is that you actually have the wherewithal to share your feelings and not just prattle on about sensible choices and good matches.”

That made her laugh too, even as she tightened her arms about his neck, holding him close. “I was a bit worried. I thought you didn’t feel the same way I did and I’d never measure up by all the other standards.”

He pulled his chin back then, looking down into her eyes before he kissed her again, long and slow, the sort of touch that lingered.

By the time he lifted his head, she’d nearly forgotten what they’d been discussing until he held her chin, looking deep into her eyes.

“You measure up on every metric, Daff. We’d be so lucky to have you as our family. ”

Emotion caught in her throat even as tears welled in her eyes. “I’d be the lucky one.”

“In that case…” His lips grazed her cheek, her nose, her forehead. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Not because I need my pocket squares adorned but because I desperately need my heart to be filled.”

Oh, that was lovely. It took three attempts to answer, her fingers plucking at his neck as the words stuck in her throat, but finally she managed to whisper, “Yes. Yes, please.”

And then his mouth was covering hers again and the entire world melted away. This was exactly where she belonged and she’d somehow, thanks to his love, become the woman who fit into his embrace perfectly.