“Here is fine,” she managed. “Now is good.”
He squeezed her hands. “I love you. I love that you’re clever and loyal and curious and kind. I love that you’re often so fearless and bold and strong—but I also love that you’re occasionally not, because then I can be strong for you. I love that I can tell you anything. Anything at all. And I love that you always have something surprising to say. I love that you call things by their right names. That you aren’t afraid to call a tit a tit, or a c**k a—”
“I beg your pardon,” Sir Alisdair interjected, “but what in God’s name are you on about?”
Minerva couldn’t help but laugh.
“Do you mind?” Colin told the man irritably. “I promised this woman months of tender courtship, and thanks to your Society and its inane, archaic rules, I must cram it all into the space of five minutes. The least you could do is not interrupt.”
Sir Alisdair spoke directly to Minerva. “Is this man harassing you, Miss . . .” He paused. “It is Miss Highwood?”
“Yes,” she said gently. “Yes, it is Miss Highwood. I apologize for the confusion. And I’m so sorry if I’ve caused you any . . . disappointment.”
His mouth quirked as he looked her up and down. “Merely surprise, Miss Highwood. Merely surprise.”
“Yes, yes. She’s a very surprising woman.” Colin cleared his throat. “Once again, man. Do you mind?”
Smiling, Minerva pulled Colin a few steps away. “Never mind him. Carry on.”
Once they had a bit of privacy, his eyes gentled. “As I was saying, pet. I love that you call things by their right names. That you’re bold enough to call a tit a tit, and a c**k a cock. But most of all, I love that even after this mad, reckless week with me—even with your heart and reputation and future hanging in the balance—you were brave enough to call love love.” His hands framed her face. “Because that’s exactly what this is. I love you, Minerva.” A look of exultant joy lit his eyes, as though he’d just unearthed the scientific discovery of a lifetime. “We love each other.”
A knot rose in her throat. “Yes. We do.”
“I want to be with you, for the rest of our lives.”
“I want that, too.”
“Then here.” He released her hands. Catching his glove between his teeth, he tugged it loose and then discarded the thing entirely. His fingers went to the signet ring on his little finger, and he twisted it back and forth. And back and forth. He grimaced. “This may take a moment.”
“Colin, really. You don’t have to—”
“Almost have it,” he said through gritted teeth. His face was red and contorted with effort. “Wait . . . wait . . .”
He turned away and crouched, still tugging at the ring. Minerva began to grow worried for him.
“There.” Panting for breath and wearing an expression of triumph, he held up the ring for her inspection. “I haven’t removed this ring since I was a boy. It was my father’s of course, and it came to me after his death. It started out on my thumb, then made its way down every finger. It’s been on that last finger so long, it almost became a part of me. But now I want you to wear it.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.”
“No, you must.” He turned her hand palm up and dropped the ring in it. “It’s my most cherished possession, Min. You must wear it. That way, I’ll always know the two things dearest to me are in the same place. It will be a true help. Most convenient.”
She stared at the ring. Then she stared at him, breathless with emotion.
“Didn’t—” He cleared his throat. “Didn’t you want to marry me?”
“Of course I do,” she hastened to assure him. “Of course I want to marry you. But I thought you wanted to wait, go slowly. Have a proper courtship. It seemed so important to you.”
“This”—he gestured at the door and the symposium going on within—”is important to you. Which means it’s everything to me.”
Stunned, she watched as he sank to one knee.
“I love you, Minerva. Stay with me forever. Let me cherish you always. Give me the lasting joy of calling you my own.” He slipped the signet ring on her gloved finger. “But marry me today. So I can share you with the world.”
She gazed down at him, her heart swollen with love—and her mind decided that the world would never see a better man.
With a few hasty vows uttered right here on these steps, he offered to make all her dreams come true. And she could make Colin all hers. Forever.
“Well, girl?” Behind them, Mr. Barrington thumped his board. “Do you mean to marry the fellow or not?”
Chapter Thirty-two
“Can I interest you in some lace today, Miss Taylor?” As Kate entered the All Things shop, Sally Bright straightened behind the counter. The fair-haired young woman laid aside the newspaper she’d been reading. “Or a new ribbon, perhaps?”
Kate shook her head, smiling. “Just some ink. I haven’t any reason for new lace or ribbons today.”