by Candace Camp
“I would live quite happily with you above the agency...though I fear we would go hungry, as I have little knowledge of saucepans.” Desiree took a half step back to smile up into his face.
“That could be a problem, since I don’t, either.” Tom had to smile even as he shook his head. His insides were in a turmoil, torn between love and regret, desire and pride. “Desiree, I love you more than life itself, and I know it’s wrong of me to ask you to wait. But—”
“Then it’s fortunate, is it not, that I happen to be buying a house?”
“What?”
“A narrow gray house with red shutters.”
He gaped at her. “But—Desiree, I am not going to live on your brother’s largesse.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake. Of all the pigheaded, antiquated notions!” She took a step back, planting her fists on her hips and glaring. “It is my house. Brock isn’t buying it. I asked Brock to inquire about it for me because he knows real estate far better than I. But I am the one who’s going to buy it. I told you—I have my own money. I earned it myself with years of playing at Farrington Club. And if you are going to tell me that you cannot accept the idea of a woman contributing to a marriage, of a wife working and being an equal partner, then...then I will tell the duchess!”
Tom began to laugh, relief and joy sweeping through him, along with the realization that he was being enormously foolish. “You’re right. I am pigheaded, and the duchess would ring a peal over my head for it.” He moved forward, smiling down into her face. “I’m being an idiot.”
“You certainly are.” But to his relief, Desiree gave up her pugnacious pose and closed the remaining gap between them. “But for some reason, I love you anyway.”
“I think—” Tom paused, this admission taking some effort. “I’m scared, Desiree. You’re all that I could want and more. And I’m afraid of grabbing for everything I’ve dreamed of and finding only air.”
“Oh, Tom...my love.” Desiree reached up to cup his face in her hands. “I’m scared, too. Believe me, I know the fear of reaching out and finding only air. What you have to do is trust your partner. I trust you. Do you trust me?”
“With my life.” Tom kissed her, and Desiree flung her arms around him, holding on with all her strength. After a very long time, he raised his head and looked down at her quizzically. “Did you really buy my house?”
“I’m in the process. I knew I would work you around to seeing it my way sooner or later.”
He shook his head in mock chagrin. “I’m never going to win an argument with you, am I?”
“No.” Desiree grinned. “Thinking of changing your mind?”
“No.” He kissed her lightly. “As long as I’m with you, even the losses are wins.”
* * *
ISBN-13: 9781488078200
His Improper Lady
Copyright © 2021 by Candace Camp
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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