Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(77)

“We’re supposed to take care of each other,” Rose said, caressing his cheek. “That’s the way of things. Didn’t your mother and father share their burdens?”

“I suppose so…but that’s different.”

“How so?”

“Well…they never really had anything of value… It was just different, that’s all.”

“That’s ridiculous and you know it.”

“I still can’t offer you much, Rose. Not what you’re used to. But I have my position at the Regal. It’s only three hundred fifty pounds per year, but I can still take private commissions. I’ve made some great contacts. And I have a townhome in Bath. My mother and sisters will have to stay with us though. And then there’s the issue of the song Xavier commissioned. I have to give him a refund. I…I don’t think I can live with myself if I don’t. That will be a lot of money, two hundred pounds. Oh, bloody hell. What was I thinking? You deserve so much more than I have to offer.”

Rose threaded her fingers through his black locks. “You trimmed your hair.”

“Yes, for the opening.”

“I liked it long.”

“Then I’ll grow it back.”

Rose laughed. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “I’d love you even if you were bald as a billiard ball.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. I love you. I love you.” He pushed the rose into her hands buried his head in her lap as she stroked his hair.

“It’s all right.” She stroked the stem of the flower lovingly. “There are no thorns.”

“I carved them off with my jackknife during the ride here.”

“That was sweet,” Rose said.

He looked up at her. “Please marry me, Rose. I want nothing more than to spend my life making you happy. Making our child happy. I’m sorry that we’ll have to pinch pennies for a while, at least until I can pay back Xavier.”

“Cam,” Rose said, “I can pay Xavier.”

“No.”

“Yes. I have an income from my father’s estate. I’ll have it until I die.”

“I can’t take your money.”

“If we marry, it will be your money.”

“I can’t.”

“Now you’re just being stubborn. Do you think Xavier wouldn’t have taken my income if I’d married him? Or any other peer for that matter? Why do you think there are such a thing as dowries? And by the way, I have a substantial one.”

“I don’t care about that.”

“Neither do I. And my father may not give it to me anyway if I don’t marry a peer.”

“That’s another thing.”

“I don’t care. Dowry be damned. I still have my income. It’s mine. He can’t take it away from me. The trust is very specific on that.”

“How much is your income, Rose?”

She smiled, stroking his stubbled cheek. “Two thousand pounds per year.”

“Good God.”

“So you see, I can pay Evan, and I can help you take care of those you love, and nothing would make me happier.”

“I still don’t feel right—”

“Cam, you’re being foolish. Do you know how many peers are in dire straits, with their estates dwindled down to nothingness due to poor management and excess spending? Do you think any one of them would have a problem taking my money? They certainly would not. Why do you think so many peers marry American heiresses? To replenish their coffers. So why do you have such a problem with it?”

“I don’t know. Foolish pride, I guess. I want to do everything for you, give you everything. I don’t want to take from you.”

“Then you deprive me of the joy of giving to you,” Rose said. “I never cared that you had nothing. I love you. I would have lived in a shack with you. I would have cooked your meals and cleaned your house and scrubbed your back when you came in from a hard day’s work. Don’t you see?” Rose began to weep. “All I wanted was to be with the man I love.”

She left the chair and knelt beside him on the floor. “I love you, Cam. There will never be another for me. I want your name. I want our child to have your name.”

“Oh, sweetheart.”

Cameron lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her passionately, their teeth clashing, their tongues plunging, until they were both gasping for air.

“Marry me, Rose. Please marry me.”

“Yes,” Rose said. “I will.”

Cameron touched his lips to hers, and then stood with Rose in his arms and whirled her around the ballroom. “I can’t believe it,” he said. “I can’t believe you’re mine again!”

“I always was, Cam.”

He kissed her lips, her nose, her cheeks, ran his tongue down her neck to her shoulder and nipped it lightly. “We’ll have to marry quickly, due to your condition. I’ll take you to Gretna Green tomorrow.”

Rose laughed lightly. “It is tomorrow, Cam.”

“Then we’ll leave today. Now. I’ll borrow a carriage from the duke.”

“No, no,” Rose said. “We can’t. My aunt is getting married today. I need to be here. And you have a job, Mr. Price. You have responsibilities. You need to be at the theatre in the evening.”