Chapter 25

It would be so easy to fall back into his arms and enjoy his kisses, but doubts lingered and she needed to hear his intentions and what he had really wanted from her when they spoke in Sydney Gardens. She needed to know for certain that he had been asking her to be his wife but handled it poorly and that it wasn't something that he decided only after Bolton had blackened his eye.

"We must speak and I need to know the truth."

"I will tell you anything that you wish to know. No more secrets."

She wanted to believe him. Carina desperately hoped that she had not been mistaken.

"When we spoke in Sydney Gardens, before we encountered your betrothed and Clarkston."

Felix winced at her use of betrothed, which she hoped was a positive sign for what she wished to know.

"You said that you wanted me to live with you in the cottage and that you cared for me."

His cheeks began to turn pink and Carina pulled back. She'd never seen Felix embarrassed before.

"I was so nervous that day. I had decided to risk all that and confess my heart and ask you to marry me."

She stared into his blue eyes. There was nothing but sincerity.

"I managed it poorly. Fear struck that you did not love me as I loved you, and I couldn't form the right words, but when you said that I had your heart and that you would live with me, I assumed that it was understood that we would marry."

Again, she watched his eyes and face. Carina knew Felix well enough by now if he lied.

"You never mentioned love or marriage, though that is what I thought you were trying to tell me. After we came across Miss Daphne and I learned of your betrothal, I realized that you had not only been keeping secrets from me but feared that I had been deeply mistaken in your intent when you asked me to share the cottage." She had to look away. "I thought that you were really asking me to be your mistress and I had been the fool for thinking you thought me worthy of more."

"Look at me," he ordered.

Carina turned as he asked.

"I love you. To the depths of my soul, I love you and would never dishonor you in such a way. My intention from the moment I woke that day and took you to Sydney Gardens was to ask you to be my wife."

Tears sprang to her eyes. He spoke the truth. She knew deep in her heart that he had.

"I regret not voicing my intentions more clearly then, and I truly regret keeping secrets from you, Carina. If I could revisit that day, I would do everything differently. I would be clear in my intentions, tell you how much I love you and that you had claimed my heart for eternity, and risked everything by telling you who I really am." He took her hands in his and held on tightly. "If only I could go back and change…"

"Shh." Carina withdrew her hand and placed it against his cheek. "I believe you."

In her heart of hearts, she knew the truth. Felix truly did love her despite everything.

"And I love you."

"Please, say that you will marry me. I beg of you to be my wife."

Her smile could not be helped as a new wave of tears flooded her eyes. "Yes, Felix. Nothing would make me happier."

He leaned forward and Carina knew that he was about to kiss her.

"Wait. I have my own confession."

"Nothing you could say would change my mind."

"I have tried, but I am a failure in the kitchens."

Felix pulled back and laughed. "No worries, for a maid of all work have already been hired."

"Then we shall not starve or die of accidental poisoning." Carina returned his smile.

"And there are no more reasons why we cannot wed."

She stared into his warm blue eyes right before she let hers drift closed as his lips claimed hers.

Carina was finally in his arms. He was kissing her and she had agreed to be his wife. All was perfect in the world. Or it would be perfect as soon as the vows were spoken and he could carry her away to their cottage.

When she sighed, he delved as he lifted her onto his lap. Carina weaved her arms about his shoulders, her fingers in his hair as he caressed her side, wishing they were somewhere far more private. She was to be his and his desire burned for her.

"I assume the two of you are no longer quarreling?"

Carina jumped from Felix's lap and quickly smoothed her skirt and faced his mother.

"I had forgotten how quiet you can be mother, always sneaking about."

"It was the only way to learn what mischief my children might be up to." She laughed. "Can I assume there is to be a wedding?"

"Yes," he answered and reached out and took Carina's hand.

Felix also knew that he should stand in his mother's presence but after the way Carina had been on his lap, and the way they had kissed and caressed, he did not wish for his mother, of all people, to realize how very much he was desiring his future bride at that moment.

"Then I shall take Carina with me, where we can have a discussion in private."

Carina's eyes widened with fear and she quickly glanced at Felix.

"She does not bite, I promise." He chuckled.

His mother linked her arm with Carina's and drew her away. "I simply wish to get to know my future daughter-in-law, as I do not know when we might see you again."

At those words, Felix was reminded that his parents' visit would only be short in duration and it was unlikely that he would see the rest of his family until his grandfather passed.

"Tell me about yourself, Carina," he heard his mother say as they walked away.

Whether Carina told her everything, that was up to her. He would not reveal her secrets, but Felix also knew that if his parents did learn of how Carina's father had been a bigamist, a criminal, and had ruined the family, they likely would not care, nor would they ever speak of it. They judged people on who they were, not their relations. Unfortunately, if his grandfather ever learned, he'd likely do his best to see them both ruined.

After a few moments, Felix finally made his way back into the parlor. He wanted to share his news with his father, but waited because Lady Lydell was Carina's friend and he wanted Carina by his side when they learned.

"Where is my wife and Miss Leonelli?" his father asked.

"Mother wished to speak with her in private," Felix answered. "She realized how important Carina is to me and wanted to come to know her better."

His father nodded. "How did you meet Miss Leonelli?"

"She is my friend," Lady Lydell answered, then explained their history, leaving out the ugliness of Carina's family, and simply stated that the family had fallen on difficult times, which led to Carina being hired as a companion and able to remain Gaia's friend.

"Ah, so both servants in the same household but from titled families." His father nodded in approval. "My question, has she agreed to marry you or is she still seeking revenge?"

"My answer was yes," Carina said from the doors leading to the terrace.

Her brown eyes looked to Felix and held only warmth and love.

"You do know that you cannot risk a special license or crying of the banns," his father warned.

If his grandfather learned before the marriage took place, he would likely do everything in his power to stop them.

"Your mother has suggested Gretna Green," Carina offered.

They could be married within the sennight, depending on how quickly they could travel the length of England. "You would not mind?"

"I never thought to ever wed," Carina answered. "Now I don't wish to wait longer than necessary."

She still held his eyes.

"Nor I."

"By the time my father learns, it will be too late." His father grinned.

"But what of Miss Daphne?" Carina asked. "She needs to know that she is free."

"If we write and tell her, even offer proof, then my grandfather will know where to find us," Felix said. Even though there was nothing the man could do to him once he wed, he still didn't want him to know where they could be found.

"Leave the announcement to me," Bolton said as he stepped into the parlor. "While you travel onto Gretna Green, I will make my way to Edinburgh. And then, upon my return, I will be certain to whisper the tidbit in the ear of every gossip in Bath, and those who remain in London that I recently encountered the missing Mr. Felix Knight as he was boarding a ship bound for Italy, where he intends to remain with his new bride."

If only he could afford to take Carina there, but he now needed his funds for a future.

"Is that so he will not look for him here?" Carina asked.

"That, and you will be traveling to Italy," Bolton answered. "I will see that passage is booked while I wait for you to join me in Edinburgh."

"We cannot," Felix began to argue and hoped that he didn't disappoint Carina.

"It has already been planned for when the two of you finally spoke again and realized how foolish you have been."

"I most certainly have not," Carina argued.

"Be that as it may," Bolton began as he crossed to the sideboard and poured a glass of brandy. "The wedding trip is from my parents. They know how Carina longs to visit Florence again and wish to give this to her."

"That is not necessary and far too generous," Carina argued. "They have given me so much already."

"Consider it payment for having to put up with me courting you for a fortnight." Bolton raised a glass in a toast to them.

"They told me as well," Lady Lydell offered. "They will not change their mind. They consider you much like a daughter, though equally frustrated that you insisted on being a wallflower. When they hired you to be my companion, they never really saw you as such, but it was a means for me to keep my friend."

Carina looked to the side and blinked back tears.

"And, since Mr. Knight's grandfather will believe the two of you are in Italy, once your holiday is over you can return back here and resume your positions."

"I am not being sacked?" Felix asked with a grin.

"I believe you may be the best manager this estate has ever had," Lydell answered.

"And Carina will continue to be my companion," Lady Lydell insisted. "When she is not too busy being your wife."

"Then it is settled," Bolton announced. "Knight will take Carina off to Gretna Green. I will make my way to Edinburgh."

Felix looked over to Carina. "Are you in agreement?"

"Nothing would make me happier."