9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

T heo lay in bed with Juliet in his arms and was more content than he had ever been, and it was all because fate saw fit to bring them together. He had never imagined that love would strike him and that he would welcome it as much as he had. Once he admitted to himself that he was in love with her, everything fell into place from there. He had decided already that he could never let her part from him. He needed her in his life, in her rightful place at his side.

He drew Lady Lily that afternoon when Juliet retired to her room to paint. Theo had never drawn a woman clothed before, and he wanted to prove to himself that his talent didn’t require his models to be naked and bare before him. Although, he would still draw Juliet in every position imaginable, but that was just for them.

While he drew, he sorted through his feelings, which he knew were strong. It took him a while to identify them because he had never before felt as such. The more he drew, the clearer it became that Juliet was the woman for him. It was madness, and it had only been a couple of days, but didn’t someone say that love moved swiftly? It did, indeed.

He hadn’t decided when he would tell her as he didn’t wish to scare her away. But when he saw that bounder Duncan attempt to touch her and that she even went on the terrace with the blackguard to begin with, he’d lost all rational thought. His first inclination had been to toss the man over the railing of the terrace, but if she wanted the man, who was he to impede what she wanted? He loved her that much, so he walked away.

Theo glanced down at the top of Juliet’s head on his chest. She was fast asleep, her breathing even and steady. The sound was almost melodic, and he only hoped he’d get to listen to that song every night in their shared chamber. He would never sleep apart from her, that was for certain. A realization that was laughable considering his thoughts on the matter only a couple of days ago.

He had wanted to tell her he loved her after they’d made love. He smiled to himself, knowing that was exactly what they did. It had never been like that before, and he finally understood the difference. He knew she had nothing to compare it to, but he hoped her heart knew. She was it for him. There would never be another.

Telling her so while they were both caught up in the heat of what they experienced seemed just a bit too cliché. He wanted her to know that his feelings for her weren’t just because of the intimacy between them, but were what drove their passion to the brink of madness. He believed, hoped rather, she might feel the same way, but he’d have to muster up the courage to ask.

He always figured that if he ever married, it would be because he accepted his fate to continue the line for the title, and that the woman would accept him so that she could be a marchioness. Love wouldn’t have played any part in it. Now that he needed her the same way he needed water and air to survive, asking her to marry him left him nervous and unable to calm himself.

Suddenly, he knew what he must do. He shifted her off him and onto her pillow. She stirred in the transition, and he rubbed her back again. He kissed her brow. “Go back to sleep, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I’m here.”

Theo continued rubbing her back until her breath evened out again and he knew she was back asleep. He carefully shifted himself out of the bed and turned to watch and make sure she remained asleep. Once convinced she wouldn’t awaken, he quietly went to her easel where her supplies were. He took out a blank piece of paper and some of the charcoals she used to sketch her paintings.

He moved a chair closer to the bed and lit a candle so he could see her while he worked. He glanced up every so often and his heart flipped at the sight of her sleeping so peacefully. Theo looked back at his drawing, urging himself to complete it so he could get back in bed with her and enjoy at least a few hours of sleep beside the woman he loved.

Once he finished his drawing, he smiled and assessed his work. It was perfect if he said so himself. He folded the paper and placed it beneath the pillow on his side of the bed. He blew out the candle and climbed back into bed with her. As soon as he settled back beside her, she nestled closer until she was back in his arms.

“Theo,” she mumbled, not opening her eyes.

He stroked her hair, and she settled back into sleep. He held her tightly to him and closed his eyes, pushing aside his racing thoughts about what he would say to her in the morning so he might find sleep.

The next morning, the sun gleamed outside the window. Juliet was in the same place with her head on his chest, her long, wavy hair splayed out behind her. He allowed himself to imagine what a life waking up every morning with her in his arms would be like. If only she would accept him.

His brother would be proud of him. He would marry, and he would have the perfect marchioness at his side to help manage the estate and see to their tenants. He would need to be there to ensure things ran as his brother wanted, and Juliet could still paint to her heart’s content in the countryside. Theo thought he might even have a room completely redesigned to be her painting studio as a wedding gift.

She stirred against him, and the movement of her skin against his caused his cock to stir. He tamped down his desire as he needed her to know that his love was true and wasn’t because of how much he loved to touch and taste her—although he did love those things as well. Their physical compatibility was just a very pleasurable bonus.

Juliet looked up at him, and her mesmerizing grey eyes bore into him. Her lips curved into a sweet smile and his heart beat even faster .

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said before placing a soft kiss on her lips.

“You don’t have to work your charms, Theo. I have already allowed you into my bed,” she returned, giggling.

Theo cupped her cheek, urging her to look at him. He couldn’t have her believing that any of his words to her were mere attempts to take more from her. He didn’t wish to take anything from her, but rather he wanted to give her everything. She had his body, of course, but she had his heart and soul as well.

“I mean every word I speak to you.”

Her breath caught, and she contemplated him.

He reached beneath his pillow and found the piece of paper with his drawing from last night and handed it to her.

“What is this?” she asked, cautiously taking the paper into her hands.

“Open it.” His body tensed, hopeful that all would go as planned. Once she saw it, there was no turning back.

She sat up, the sheet falling away from her and leaving her naked breasts exposed to him. He followed suit and sat up, scooting closer, so he sat beside her. Putting his arm around her and clasping her hip, he waited for her to unfold his drawing.

She looked up at him, a question in her eyes. He responded by nodding towards the paper .

Juliet drew a deep breath and unfolded it. He watched her expression. It went from surprise to joy, then confusion to her eyes welling with tears. He wasn’t sure which of those emotions he most hoped to spark, but the combination of them all somehow left him on edge.

“Jules?”

She stared at the drawing. It was a sketch of her in a wedding dress. He had memorized her so well that he was proud of the likeness, especially doing without the best lighting. Beneath it, he had written his proposal. She looked up at him, confused, that being the emotion that seemed to win the battle.

When she didn’t say anything, he broke the silence. “So will you marry me?”

She shook her head, and his heart became heavy in his chest.

“Theo,” she whispered. “I don’t want you to marry me because of—”

He pressed his finger to her lips.

“Jules, I finally let myself realize that my heart was lost to you yesterday when I had to watch you on that idiotic man’s arm. I intended to tell you as much before I played the part of the jealous fool. I don’t pretend to be perfect or even good enough for you, or to possibly believe that I won’t make many mistakes in the coming years. All of which you can make me pay dearly for. But what I know is that I love you. I can’t imagine a day of my life without you in it. That is the reason I ask for you to marry me, and for that reason alone.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she threw her arms around his neck.

“You must forgive me for not getting down on one knee, but I worried it would be rather awkward given that I am currently naked. I just didn’t wish to wait any longer to ask you.”

She hugged him tighter and nodded against his cheek.

“Not to be difficult, but it would be helpful if you would give me a verbal answer, so I might be able to breathe again,” he said before turning his head to kiss her temple.

She pulled away from him and caught his gaze. “Yes, Theo. I will marry you.”

He released an audible sigh. “I suppose I must ask your father before we can consider ourselves officially betrothed since you haven’t reached your age of majority.” He hadn’t considered that until that moment, and his nerves returned. He didn’t know the earl well and, given Theo’s reputation, it was quite possible the man wouldn’t find him to be a suitable match for his daughter.

He must have worn his concern on his face because Jules used her thumb to smooth his brow.

“All will be well. Papa will approve the match. He wants me to be happy.”

“I hope so. If only I hadn’t lived such a rakehell life.” What respectable father would choose such a man for his daughter?

She shook her head. “All your life experience has made you the man you are today. The man I love. You can’t change the past, so we will focus only on our future together.”

“I promise you, my love. Those days are behind me. You are the only woman for me for the rest of my days.” He meant it, too. There was no one else who could ever compare to his siren.

“You’ll convince Papa of the very same, and then we shall wed.”

He clasped her hand and brought it to his lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She leaned close to him and brushed her lips against his.

Theo held her tight against him and swept his tongue across her bottom lip. She opened to him, and he pressed his tongue to hers. She returned his intensity, and their tongues mated while their hands wandered and explored.

A voice sounded from the hallway, which caught Theo’s attention. “Sweetheart, I must go. We can’t be caught with me naked in your bed, or your father is certain to hate me once he found out. I’d be meeting him at dawn.”

“I would stand directly in front of you if he should do something so foolish.”

He shook his head and then kissed her again. “No dueling grounds for my future wife.”

Theo climbed from the bed and quickly donned his clothing. He was at least only half hard by that point, which aided in his ability to part from her. The visual of her angry father was effective at killing any notion he may have to say to hell with getting caught and then thoroughly bedding her that morning. But the same couldn’t be said for later that evening.

Her lips formed a slight pout as she watched him button his shirt the rest of the way.

“Might you allow me to join you again this evening?” he asked, hoping that might make up for his quick departure.

“You needn’t ask.”

He walked back to the bed and leaned closer to give her a quick kiss.

“Don’t agree to any entertainments today. We shall take a stroll in the gardens after breakfast and discuss our plans for me to speak with your father. ”

“I suppose we can’t speak of our intended betrothal to the other guests until you have spoken with Papa,” she said, frowning.

“It’s probably for the best. We will want to ensure your papa doesn’t think I have compromised his daughter.” He winked at her.

She laughed. “Given how you had sworn off marriage before we met, perhaps I am the one who compromised you.”

He brought his finger to his lips. “Well, that’ll be our little secret. At least for now. Once your father has agreed, you can tell the world that you hold my heart in your hand.”