“Yes.”
Lucas slumped heavily and kissed her head again.
“I thought you would tell me, no, and I had lost my chance.”
“You don’t have much faith in me, do you?”
“I don’t have much faith in me. It was not as flowery as I wanted it to be.” Lucas sighed. “I didn’t want it to sound as unromantic as that.”
Dorothy smiled and cupped his face in her hands.
“I prefer that to being romantic and showering me with flowery words. That just doesn’t work.”
“If I’d known that, I would have said this ages ago.”
“I would have turned you down ages ago,” Dorothy pointed out. “I had a low opinion of you back then.”
“And now?”
Dorothy didn’t know how to answer that. She wasn’t sure if she could, not with her thoughts all over the place. All she was certain about was she wanted to be with Lucas and not just snatching kisses in private. She wanted to take her time with him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. During the day, though. It would be too far for me to travel at night, and my parents are very eagle-eyed, even at that time.”
“And you can get to my estate without that pesky chaperone.”
Dorothy smiled.
“You let me worry about that.” She kissed him softly. “Tomorrow?”
Lucas swallowed, looking like he wanted to say more. Then he sighed and nodded.
“Alright. Tomorrow. I want to see you without restrictions around my neck.”
“And you will.” Dorothy smiled. “I’m sure that can keep you going for now.”
“Now I have no idea how I’m going to get through this evening without thinking about …”
He broke off suddenly when there was a tap on the door. Dorothy’s heart almost stopped, and then she started to panic. God, no, not now. They couldn’t be caught now. What if whoever was outside had overheard them.
“Dorothy? Your parents are looking for you. Hurry up!”
Dorothy slumped in relief.
“It’s Frederica. I’d better go.”
“I’ll leave later. We’d better not be seen together.” Lucas kissed her firmly. “Until tomorrow.”
Dorothy didn’t respond. Her heart still racing, she slipped out of the room, meeting Frederica in the hallway. Thankfully, her friend was alone, although she was constantly looking around.
“I thought you were never going to come out.”
“Were you outside the door the whole time?” Dorothy whispered.
“Of course not. But I overheard your parents asking for your whereabouts when I came in alone, so I thought I’d better find you.” Frederica slipped her arm through Dorothy’s. “I said you had got distracted looking at some paintings we passed, so I thought I’d leave you to it. That seemed to satisfy them, but we’d better not do that again.”
“Thank you.” Dorothy breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad I’ve got you on my side to rescue me if I need it.”
“Don’t worry; you’ve always got me. I won’t let you down.”