Stepping through the doorway, Edmund held a branch of candles and set it on a round table for additional illumination.
“You wish to say something to me, Madam?” He sounded equally as cool as she had been but his manner was far more relaxed.
Now that they stood here, Eugenia was not sure how she would begin. She had not been alone with him for days. If she could not see his expression, perhaps he could not see hers. She hoped the darkened room would mask the discomfort of her admission.
“I wish you were not going out tonight.” Her earlier anger and present fear turned to sadness, which overtook her. Eugenia was certain she’d be reduced to a watering pot if he should address her in a disagreeable manner.
“Excuse me?” He leaned toward her, tilting his head to hear what she had to say. “What was that you said?”
“I said …” She cleared her throat and repeated, trying to sound steady. “I wish you would not go out tonight.”
“Oh,” he said simply. “And why is that?”
“By the end of this night I had hoped to tell you of my feelings and how I wish to remain your wife.”
“Married … and be my duchess?” he whispered in an exhaled breath.
“I do. I would like that above all things.” Eugenia nodded, swallowed hard, and waited for his response. After her talk with Aunt Rose, Eugenia could be honest and tell him of her affection.
“My mind is quite made up. I have always thought of you in the highest regard and with great affection.” Eugenia gazed up at him. “Actually … I believe I have had these feelings for a very long time as you pointed out to me weeks ago. However, it has been only very recently have I come to learn that. I’m being silly and quite contrary, aren’t I?”
“You’re not silly at all.” A smile lit up his face and she could see he was working at keeping his composure. “My heart, my dearest, you know of my love. I have always loved you.”
Eugenia knew he loved her, ever since their time in Brighton, ever since he was Franz.
“Your aunt Rose, Mrs. Templeton, persuaded me that if I should retreat, allow you some time to ponder our predicament, that you should come ‘round to the right way of it.”
Aunt Rose had suggested … she had intervened? Eugenia was not entirely pleased that her aunt had interfered in her personal affairs, more specifically, in her marriage. To advise her niece was one thing, but her niece’s husband …
Edmund fumbled at the pocket of his vest and pulled out something so small it fit in the palm of his hand. Eugenia could not imagine what it was.
“I have a …” He glanced at his fingers, fumbling together, demonstrating his nervousness. “I had hoped … That is, if you truly loved me then … perhaps we might …”
Edmund held up a simple gold band for her to see. “Will you marry me?”
Eugenia blinked up at him, finding his reply quite unexpected. “I beg your pardon?”
His voice was calm, although he might have felt nervous, but his manner was most sincere when he took her trembling hand. “I haven’t had the chance to ask you if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife.”
“But we are already married,” Eugenia pointed out.
“Our marriage is a legal mishap that should not have occurred. You nor I had any say in the matter even though it was what I desired. I do not believe you would have ever consented to wed me.”
He pressed a kiss on the back of her hand, taking his time, doing so slowly, tenderly, and ever so lovingly.
“I thought you might like to be asked. I should think every young lady would want the choice of saying yes … or no. Would you do me the honor, Genie?” He looked deep into her eyes and waited.
Eugenia found that she, quite shamelessly, returned his gaze. “It is kind of you to ask.” She felt the moment awkward and did not really know what to say next. Perhaps he was correct in thinking she had been adverse to them being married because she had no say in the matter.
She took a step back, away from him. “I suppose I might accept if I felt assured that you would not neglect your husbandly duties.”
His eyes widened and he replied, “Don’t you mean, my husbandly rights?”
“No. Since we are married, I expect my husband to behave in a certain way, and it is your duty to do so.” Eugenia meant every word.
“Oh, sweet, Genie, you’re such an original! Only you could see it that way.” He laughed. “You are as enchanting as the first time I met you.” His broad smile somehow grew broader. “You stuck that adorable little nose up at me.”
“I did no such thing.” Eugenia tried to recall exactly when that might have happened.
“It was when I was Franz,” he reminded her.
“I never stuck my nose up at Franz,” she pouted. Not that he could have seen anyway. It had taken her a bit of time but she did come to see his true nature.
“And I loved you for it!” he laughed.
“You did?” Eugenia wondered how he could have found her behavior in any way charming.
“You too, came to my rescue.”
Eugenia could not imagine to what he was referring.
“How many times had you protected Herr Mueller from the poisonous barbs of Lady Penelope?” Edmund traced a line with his fingers along her shoulder. “You’re vastly imaginative, totally impulsive, and utterly irresistible!”
“And you don’t mind?” She felt a bit self-conscious about the string of multisyllabic adjectives it took to describe her.
“Not in the least.”
“And as to being married,” she blinked up at him, “are we? Truly?”
“I believe our situation is no worse than saying vows over an anvil. If it is your wish that we should stand up in St. George’s before all of London, we shall do so. You’ll look magnificent in your simple white silk gown with a touch of lace. The church will be filled with the bountiful floral contents of ten hothouses worth of peonies. And an enormous, superbly lavish breakfast would follow.”
Eugenia’s eyes widened as he outlined the wedding of her dreams. “How did you know that’s what I’d always wanted?”
“I was there, Liebling, do you not remember? We spent much time together weaving fanciful dreams!”
He had always been there … as Franz Mueller the musician and as her brave, handsome duke … watching her, protecting her, loving her.
“Are you sure you will be able to leave the life of an Austrian musician behind and take your rightful place as the new duke? It sounds as if you miss Franz.”
“I envy him because you were his steadfast friend. But with you by my side, dearest Eugenia, I can face anything.” He held the gold band for her between his thumb and index finger, its reflection winked in the fire light.
“And I would not want to be anywhere else.” She smiled and slid her finger through the wedding band.
“Being married to you will be a joy beyond compare. You are the very best thing about returning to my old life.” Edmund pulled Eugenia into his arms to kiss her. “Let our duet begin!”
Lady Eugenia's Holiday Page 13
