“Very well,” Nicholas said gruffly.
“Thank you.”
“Do you wish to still marry him?”
“No.”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Listening to his increasing heartbeat, Cressida realized her answer mattered to him.
“You sound certain.”
“I do. I do not love him, nor do I believe I could love a man who would be so callous…with another lady who clearly loves him and is with child.”
“He has a mistress?”
Taking a steady breath, she told him about all of it.
“The damn fool.”
She smiled against his chest. “I agree.”
“You must leave soon.”
A sigh slipped from her. “I do not want to.”
He went still beneath her. “Why?”
“I…cannot explain this desire I have to know you.”
“Beyond kisses?”
It was ridiculous.Absurd. But a truth she would not deny. She lifted her head and peered at him. “Yes.”
A smile touched his mouth. It was very slight but a rather enchanting sight.
“I wish you could stay as well.”
Cressida swallowed. “Why?”
“Because I want to know everything about you, your secrets, dreams and hopes, your fears.”
“I am rather delighted to hear it,” she whispered, humor bubbling inside. “But all secrets will remain with me to the grave.”
He tenderly touched her cheek, and she rubbed her face against his palm.
“I’ll happily share my dreams and hopes. Even my fears.”
His eyes darkened. “What do you fear?”
Cressida rested her head on his chest, listening to the reassuring thud of his heart for a moment. “That I’ll be forced to marry someone I do not love. My mother is determined for me to marry someone with a noteworthy title and connection in theton. I…”
“What do you want?” he demanded gruffly.
“To have a happy marriage,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “I am, however, quite aware of my family’s position and that one does not simply marry for love. There are other considerations that can never be dismissed such as social equality and reputation. But I cannot bear the notion of only marrying because of wealth. What if the duke has an odious character…or what if we are never happy together? Marriage is such a lifelong endeavor that I cannot understand how so many people enter it lightly.”
“What duke?”