Rising, Eleanor collected her book and pelisse and reticule without another word, but as she passed Lily, her smile was warm and kind, and she murmured, “Good luck,” as if she truly meant to wish Lily well.
Bewildered, Lily turned back to Heath. He had risen to his feet but remained behind his desk. She took a step closer, her heart thudding, her knees weak, her stomach tied in knots.
“What did she mean?” Lily asked unsteadily, “when she said ‘I told you so’?”
“It is no matter. Why are you here, Lily?”
His tone was hardly encouraging. She hesitated a long moment before replying, “To put an end to your betrothal. You cannot marry Lady Eleanor.”
“Why not?”
“Because I want to be your wife.”
The interval before Heath spoke seemed interminable. “Indeed. What caused your change of heart? I seem to recall asking you to marry me numerous times, and you refused every time.”
“I know.” Lily tried to swallow, even though her throat was dry as dust. “But I realized…I love you, Heath.”
His expression never changed, except that his gaze seemed to sharpen. “I don’t know that your love will be enough, Lily.”
“N-not enough?” she repeated, her voice quavering.
“I told you, I want your trust as well.”
“You have my trust, Heath.” Words crowded into her throat but weren’t even close to being adequate. “I know I was wrong to fear you. You would never deliberately hurt me.”
His expression softened the slightest degree. “How gratifying that you finally comprehend that.”
Lily nodded in agreement. “I have been a fool, I know that now. You were right. What we have is unique and rare. Something so perfect comes along once in a lifetime. I cannot throw it all away because of fear.”
“It would indeed be foolish of you.”
“Yes. Yesterday…” She hesitated several more heartbeats before she found her voice again. “Yesterday you said you loved me. Do you love me enough to give me a second chance?”
Her heart leapt at the warmth that suddenly shone in his eyes, even though he didn’t answer her directly. “I find your nervousness very endearing, sweetheart.”
Fear and hope tangled inside Lily. “I am not nervous. I am terrified that I am too late.”
“So this is a proposal of marriage?” he asked as he moved out from behind the desk and came to stand before her.
“Yes.”
Heath pursed his lips thoughtfully. “So say the words, Lily. I have done my fair share of proposing. I believe it is your turn.”
There was tenderness in his eyes, along with a faint hint of amusement. He was enjoying her repentance, Lily realized with a stab of exasperation. Yet he deserved to hear her abject apologies. “Do you want me to get down on bended knee as well?”
“No, a simple proposal will do.”
“Will you please marry me, Heath?”
“Tell me why I should.”
“Because I love you dearly, and I don’t want to live without you.”
His gaze continued to measure her. “I thought you were adamant about maintaining your cherished independence.”
“I was-but independence is not worth having if I am miserable. And I am utterly miserable without you. My life would be painfully empty if I lost you.” Lily held his gaze determinedly. “I want you for my husband, Heath. I want to spend the rest of my days with you, as your wife.”
At last he gave a brief nod, as if satisfied. “Then I accept your offer.”