Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
She reached out, covering his hand with hers. They sat in silence for a while, simply being together. Then he reached out to cover her hand with his other, looking into her eyes. “That is not the only decision I made in London.”
* * *
She quirked an eyebrow at him as if to invite him to continue.
* * *
He sighed. “I realize that I have been living in the past. In the misery of it, perpetuating it by bringing misery down upon myself. And being with you, it…gives me such joy I…” he shook his head in wonder as she squeezed his hand tighter. “I suppose…well…I do not want to lose this joy, ever. And I can choose to bring you into my life to share the misery in it…or I can choose to share the joy in yours.”
* * *
She beamed at him, sighing with happiness. “Yes! Share my joy please as I choose to share your misery. We can divide the burden of both and end up with contentment.”
* * *
He laughed, not having expected that. “I suppose we could do that as well…or I could simply leave my misery behind without a backward glance.”
* * *
“Oh if you could, it would fill me with happiness. My heart has been heavy for you.”
* * *
“I know it. It is why I spoke of darkening your outlook. I had no wish to spoil that.”
* * *
“Well, you won’t. We shall manage together. Why do we not start with your mother? When do you intend to bring her?”
* * *
“I must prepare a place for her, and find a proper carer for her.”
* * *
“I should love to help you.”
* * *
He smiled. “I’m glad. I would have been hard-pressed to do it on my own. Before we begin, however, I should like to make things formal between us. I want to ask your father for your hand. Do you think he will agree?”
* * *
“I do not see why not. You are well-liked in my household.”
* * *
“In spite of the suffering I have put you through?”
* * *
“You have done no such thing! Our actions at the ball were mutually agreed upon and you were under no oblig-”
* * *
Arthur put a hand on her arm to stop her. “I did not do the honorable thing. That is the truth,” he said quietly.
* * *
“I would rather you be honest with me, rather than honorable.”
* * *
“Are they not the same thing?”
* * *
Janice pursed her lips sadly. “Not always. Honor sometimes is a band around our necks, forcing us in directions we do not wish to go.”
* * *
He shook his head. “You are quite the remarkable person, do you know that Janice?”
* * *
She shook her head. “I am not. But my father taught me that love is the most important of all; more important than duty, obligation or conformity. He and my mother married against her parents’ wishes. She came to London from Wales to marry another man, but when she met my father, she ran off with him.” She grinned. “So you see, for me, for us, with such an example set; marrying for honor would be a failure.”
* * *
She sobered. “All I want is to love and to be loved. But in order to love me, you must love yourself first. I am glad to see that you are ready to embark on that journey. But there is no hurry. We can work on getting your mother home and dealing with everything, and when you are ready, you and I shall join our lives.”
* * *
“What of you? Are you ready?”
* * *
She tilted her head thoughtfully, staring out of the window. “I think that I could love you wholeheartedly. I know that my body already yearns for yours. I have missed you,” she shrugged. “But am I ready? I don’t know.”
* * *
“I suppose we shall find out together.”
* * *
She smiled. “That is the best way.”
Janice’s hands trembled slightly as she looked into Arthur’s eyes. She could not help but remember the last time they were together; his kisses, his caresses…She did not know how to take them from this serious conversation to the possibility of him kissing her again. Her lips tingled with the need to feel his on hers.
* * *
He stood abruptly, offering her his arm. “Shall we take a walk?” he asked.
* * *
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Er, yes?” She got to her feet and took his arm. “Where would you like to walk?”
* * *
“I thought I might show you my portrait gallery and acquaint you with my family history. Would you like that?”
* * *
Janice would have liked to sit where they were and kissed, but she recognized the gesture for what it was, so she smiled and nodded. “Of course.”