"Of course."
When she and Daniel reached the opening in the hedges, Carolyn couldn't stop herself from taking one final look behind her at Lady Walsh.
"What did she say to you, at the end?" Daniel asked.
"I'll have my revenge… even from the grave I'll see you dead.'" A shiver ran through Carolyn, and Daniel wrapped his arm more firmly around her shoulders. "I have no idea what she meant."
"It doesn't matter. She's dead, and can do nothing to hurt you or anyone else ever again."
Twenty minutes later a frantic Katie opened the door to Carolyn's town house. After assuring the maid that her mistress was well, Daniel instructed her to arrange for a bath. Then he lifted Carolyn in his arms and strode down the corridor toward the drawing room.
"I'm perfectly fit," she felt compelled to point out, even as her arms gratefully twined around his neck.
"Of course you are. You are a fierce tigress. Carrying you is a completely selfish act on my part."
He entered the drawing room and pushed the door firmly closed with his boot. Then he walked directly to the fireplace and gently deposited her on the settee. He sat beside her and took her hands.
She slipped one hand free and brushed her fingers over his cheek, almost giddy from delight in touching him. "You're pale."
He gave a weak smile. "I don't think I'm quite recovered from my fright. Actually, I don't know if I'll ever fully recover." He brought her hand to his mouth and pressed a fervent kiss against her fingers. "I almost lost you. I cannot even begin to describe how I felt when I realized you'd been lured into the hands of the killer. When I didn't know if I'd reach you in time. When I saw you struggling with that madwoman. I haven't prayed in a very long time, but I called upon every saint I could recall." He pressed her hand against his chest. "And my prayers were answered."
The steady beat of his heart beneath her palm brought a lump to her throat. Dear God, she loved him so much. And they'd nearly lost each other, a shocking reminder of how precious life was. And love. And how neither should ever be wasted. She loved him. And even though he didn't love her, even though she risked making a fool out of herself, she had to tell him.
Not quite sure how to begin, she cleared her throat. "You saved my life."
"I can only be grateful I wasn't too late and had the chance to do so."
"You have my deepest gratitude."
He frowned. Hesitated. Then said, "I don't want your gratitude, Carolyn."
"Oh," she said in a small voice. This wasn't going particularly well.
"I want your love."
It was her turn to frown. "I beg your pardon?"
"I want your love." He drew then released a deep breath. "Carolyn, I love you. So much I can barely sit still." He gripped her hands and looked at her through such serious eyes she realized with a shocked jolt that he was in dead earnest.
"I recall the first instant I saw you," he said softly. "Something happened to me in that moment. I wanted you, but there was something more… something I couldn't name because it had never happened to me before. You were the most exquisite woman I'd ever seen. Your smile, your laugh, captivated me, and I wanted nothing more than to spirit you away from the crowd and have you all to myself." A half smile quirked one corner of his lips. "That was the night you and Edward announced your engagement."
Carolyn felt her eyes widen. "I… I had no idea."
"Well, thank goodness," he said dryly. "As you know, we saw each other occasionally over the years, but I made a concentrated effort to stay away. Edward was my friend, and I didn't like myself for desiring his wife. For being unable to keep from doing so."
He reached out and brushed his fingers over her cheek. "But even though months or years would go by between the times I saw you, I never forgot you. Do you recall the painting in my drawing room?"
"Over the fireplace? The woman in the blue gown looking out at the garden?"
"Yes. I bought it because it reminded me of you. Of that first time I saw you. You were wearing a blue dress, and I always liked to imagine myself as the man in the painting, the one you were looking for. The one who was waiting for you."
Hot moisture stung her eyes. "I had no idea your regard was of such long standing."
"Actually, neither did I. Carolyn, I have a confession to make."
"Even though it's nowhere near midnight?"
"Yes. I attended Matthew's house party because I knew you were going to be there. I knew I desired you, but once I saw you again… it was just like that first time. Like I'd been struck by lightning. It took me quite a while to figure out what was happening to me because I had nothing to compare it to. I always thought my heart was my own, but I was wrong. I lost it ten years ago to a girl I didn't even know who announced she was marrying another man."
He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly over hers. "I know you said you didn't want my heart, but it's yours just the same." A sheepish smile touched one corner of his mouth. "It appears it always has been."
A half laugh, half sob escaped her. Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face in his neck and bawled.
"Bloody hell," she heard him say, and she sobbed even harder. "Good God, I didn't mean to make you cry." She could feel him frantically patting his jacket in search of his handkerchief.
"Here," he said, pressing the square of white linen into her hand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you, at least not now. After all you've been through today-"
"Don't you dare…" She gave her nose a mighty blow. "… apologize. Or even think of taking back what you said. Because I won't let you."
He studied her for several seconds then nodded. "You have that fierce look about you again."
"I should hope so. What sort of man tells a woman he loves her and then apologizes for it?"
He pondered, then said, "I'm stumped."
"Actually that was a rhetorical question, but no matter. The point is that I love you, too."
He went perfectly still. He swallowed audibly then said quietly, "Carolyn, when I said I wanted your love, I meant I wanted you to give it freely. Not feel coerced into saying you love me because I said it to you."
She framed his face between her hands. "My darling Daniel, I give you my love freely. Without reservation. I wanted to tell you how I felt but was too afraid. I had a wonderful marriage with Edward and honestly never thought I could find that depth of feeling again with anyone. But you proved me wrong. My attraction to you, my feelings for you, began at Matthew's house party and have grown and flourished since then. In fact, I have a confession of my own. I knew it was you I danced with at the masquerade. You who kissed me."
He turned his head and lightly kissed her palm. "I'm delighted to hear it."
She hesitated, then said, "I'll always cherish what I had with Edward, but I want to make new memories. With you."
He turned his face and kissed her palm. "Please know I don't resent your love for Edward, Carolyn. I'm just deeply grateful and thankful that there's room in your heart for me as well."
"Edward owned my heart when he lived. But now I give it to you. Freely and completely."
Her breath caught at the flare of love that blazed in his eyes. "And I will cherish it. Always." Without another word, he lowered himself to one knee before her. "Carolyn, will marry me?"
Her heart filled to overflowing and she wanted nothing more than to accept. But first she had to remind him. "I… I can't give you a child, Daniel."
The tenderness in his beautiful blue eyes melted her. "I don't care. And I have two greedy younger brothers who will be delighted to hear it." He raised her hands to his lips. "You are what is important to me, Carolyn. Children are a lovely gift, but not absolutely necessary. You, however, are like air-absolutely essential."
Her lips trembled. "You do always seem to know the right thing to say."
"Does that mean the answer is yes? You'll marry me?"
Another half laugh, half sob, escaped her. Throwing her arms around him, she sa
id, "Yes!" Then proceeded to bawl all over his cravat.
"Good lord, I can see I'm going to need a larger supply of these," he teased, again pressing his handkerchief into her hand. "I'll arrange for several dozen as a gift for you-at the same time I pay off my debts."
"Debts?"
"Yes. Seems I owe both Matthew and Logan Jennsen fifty pounds."
"Whatever for?" she asked, mystified, even more so as he didn't appear the least bit upset about losing such large sums.
"A man must have his secrets," he said with a lopsided smile.
"I see. Well, as for gifts, you've already given me far too many," she protested, wiping at her wet eyes. "Which reminds me… I hope you won't be offended, but I'm afraid I don't care for marzipan."
"Why would I be offended? I don't particularly care for it either."
"Well, I thought since you'd sent me some… but for future reference, I much prefer chocolate."
He frowned. "What do you mean? I never sent you marzipan."
She frowned right back. "Of course you did. I have the box, along with your note in my desk."
He shook his head. "Carolyn, I never sent you marzipan."
An odd chill swept through her, and without a word she rose and crossed the room. Daniel followed her. After opening the top drawer and removing the box of candy, she set it on her desk and handed him the note.
"This is similar to my handwriting," he said, his voice grave, "but it's not mine."
"I thought the card seemed oddly impersonal, but I never suspected it wasn't from you." Their gazes met and realization hit her. "Do you think Lady Walsh sent the candy?"
"I suspect so. Let me see it."
She removed the lid and wrinkled her nose at the strong odor of bitter almonds. "They smell odd," she said. "I thought so the first time I opened the box."
A muscle ticked in Daniel's jaw, and he replaced the lid then clasped her shoulders. His eyes were dark with emotion.
"I'm guessing the candy is poisoned. Given the smell, most likely cyanide. The marzipan's almond paste would help mask the bitter almond odor."
Carolyn felt herself pale. "That's what her final words meant. How she'd get her revenge from the grave."
"Yes." He briefly squeezed his eyes shut. "Thank God you don't like marzipan," he said in a rough voice.
A chill rippled through Carolyn and she stepped into the circle of Daniel's strong arms.
"So now it's truly done," she said, weak with relief. "Completely over."
"On the contrary, my extremely lovely, very dear, greatly talented, highly amusing, extraordinarily intelligent, possessor of the most kissable lips I've ever seen, as well as an excellent memory, keeper of my heart, and soon to be Lady Surbrooke," Daniel said, his eyes brimming with love. "This is only the first of a lifetime of memories we are going to make together."
Jacquie D’Alessandro
***
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Confessions at Midnight Page 27
