How to Marry a Rake (25 page)

‘You put a damned good dent in it,’ he said. He couldn’t quite summon a laugh. ‘I was cracking apart in a hundred different directions. You had me in a
frenzy. I wanted to tell you how badly I wanted you. I nearly found the courage, that night in Ryeton’s stables. I swore I was going to be as valiant as you and lay myself bare.’ He sighed. ‘I knew if you wanted me, then I wouldn’t be able to have you and to stay tucked away safe as well. I’m just sorry it took me so long.’

Mae’s eyes grew sad. ‘I’m afraid I am a horrible nuisance. I know this about myself. Everything is neck or nothing. Full measure. It is just the way I am made. I understand that not everyone can live with this.’ Tears welled and her eyes sparkled like diamonds. ‘It is a lot to ask of a person.’

‘You should absolutely ask it, Mae. You deserve no less. Listen to me.’ He sat up, took her hands and pulled her gently up as well. ‘I had to choose it. If that wall was going to come down, then it had to be my doing. My choice.’ He kissed both of her hands. ‘I don’t need the world’s attention any longer. Not as long as you look at me with love in your eyes. Not as long as I have you to remind me of the man I am and the one I want to be. I don’t need that damned wall, because I have you to keep my heart safe.’

She gripped his arms, but didn’t respond. Stephen felt a flash of alarm.

‘Shall I prove it?’ He held her shoulders tight. ‘I will. Anything.’ He said it with all the fierceness of his conviction. ‘Shall I give up racing? Sell Fincote?’ He glanced back towards the house and smiled. ‘Shall we go abroad? If you feel you will be happiest in Europe, it is fine with me. I’ll embark on any adventure, as long as I have you by my side.’

She only gazed at him, intent.

‘Mae?’

She reached up and held his face with both hands. Her gaze met his and held it.

‘Mae?’

She blinked back sudden tears once more. ‘It’s you,’ she whispered. ‘You truly are in there. I can see you.’

He smiled through his own suddenly watery eyes. ‘Yes. I’m here. Out here. In the open. Thanks to you.’

She started to cry in earnest, then. He wrapped himself around her and held her tight. Tears were fitting, he thought, after everything they had put each other through. Tears of happiness at the start of their new life.

Eventually, the storm died away. She raised tearful eyes to his. ‘I promise, I will keep your heart safe. Always,’ she said in a whisper.

‘I know you will,’ he said tenderly. And then he grinned. ‘And I promise to keep you busy.’ He jerked his head towards the house and the mounds of half-packed trunks. ‘Well, what of it, Mae? Are we for Plymouth and points beyond?’

‘I don’t know,’ she mused. ‘There must be a great many things to keep track of, when you are operating a racecourse. I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at it.’

He laughed. ‘Well, perhaps we can accomplish all of it. Make a mental note, my beauty, so we don’t forget. First, be safe,’ he began.

‘And be happy,’ she reminded him.

‘Next, run England’s most organised racecourse,’ he continued.

‘And
then
go to visit Europe,’ she finished.

‘Well, that should keep us occupied for quite a while.’ He bent to kiss her.

And so it did.

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