‘Then he can have your damn dowry,’ Luc said. ‘How much does your father love you? Will he settle for a French count with a promising career in the navy while the war lasts and a foothold in two countries when it ends? Will he pay off Bradon if I do not ask for any dowry with you and settle my own money on you? He still gets a son-in-law with some influence and standing, after all.’
‘You would do that?’
‘Of course. I would hand over every penny I own to keep you. Averil, you have turned my life upside down. I thought I knew what I wanted and now all I want is you. You will marry me?’ The sudden uncertainty in his voice caught at her heart. He was so strong, so confident and yet he was so unsure of her.
She swallowed, trying to find the right words to reassure him, but he got to his knees on the floor of the rocking carriage, caught her hands in his and said, ‘Averil Heydon, I love you. Marry me and I swear you will never regret it. Marry me, because I do not think I can live without you.’
‘I shall have to,’ she said as she lifted their joined hands to her lips and kissed his knuckles. ‘Because I cannot live without you either. Je t’aime.’
‘Now that,’ Luc said as he sat down beside her and pulled her into his arms, ‘that is all the French you will need for a long, long time.’
The carriage rocked on its way towards Piccadilly and the old church, but Averil did not notice it, for Luc’s arms were strong around her and his mouth was tender on hers and the words he spoke, although she did not understand them with her head, she could translate with her heart, because they were all of love.
*