“Ratcliffe . . .”
“No,” he said, holding up his hand. “Allow me to
speak first. I’ve been a fool, Portia, the worst kind of fool. I was willing to
concede to Arun’s prior claim on you. But the truth is, I won’t let you go so
easily. I can’t let you go. No other woman could ever make me feel even half as
happy as you do.” He closed the distance between them and took firm hold of her
hands. “I love you so much.”
The declaration fulfilled her most fervent
dream. And yet she couldn’t let him off so easily. “That was a dreadful note you
sent to me. You ought to have spoken to me in person.”
“Damn that letter! I
was a coward, afraid to face the pain of seeing you again. But I intend to fight
for you, Portia. Because I can’t bear to lose you.”
“You never lost me. I
love you, too, Ratcliffe. With all my heart.”
The awestruck look on his face
filled her with an incredible joy. Then they were in each other’s arms, kissing
with a passion made all the sweeter by the strength of their devotion to each
other. Nothing had ever felt as right as this moment, knowing that he shared the
depth of her feelings. She wanted to swoon from the bliss of it.
When at last she could speak again, Portia drew back
slightly to trace her fingertip over his chiseled lips. The adoration in his
green eyes answered all of her heartfelt hopes. “Henceforth,” she murmured,
“you’ll no longer be a menace to the ladies of society. I intend to make very
certain of that.”
“Minx.” He spoke softly, his hands caressing her hips in a
way that promised carnal happiness. “And
I
intend to make certain you
never look at any other man but me.”