XXV. The Honest Lord-2

Her question sent a pang to his chest. There was a clenching force that was not letting go. "You should have told me," he said. Her eyes stared back at his for a long moment, both of them reading each other's mind. She blinked and turned to go back to the open luggage on her bed. "Go home, Harold," Alice said as she threw things into the trunk. Harold did not hear her. His attention was stolen by the fact that she was truly packing. She was leaving. Not getting an answer, Alice sighed and faced him. "Why are you here, Harold?" Harold moistened his lips in panic. How would he be able to answer this without pushing her away even further? "Have I not made myself clear enough, my lord? You cause me distress. Why do you have to make it even more so difficult?" "Alice, I am much part of this scandal as you. And it was I who insisted we go to Henry House. This would not have happened if it were not for me—" "Harold, please, leave me alone for one bloody second!" Her voice rose higher with each word. She turned away from him and closed her trunk with a clash. "I can deal with my own problems alone. I do not need you." "You lie," he said without thinking. "You need me." He saw her back stiffen. "I might, yes." Her voice sounded cold that it sent shivers up Harold's spine. Stiffly, she faced him again, her eyes void of any emotion. "But you do not. You make it very clear every time." "Alice," he said with desperation, "I need you more than you need me. Surely you realize that." She shook her head. "No, Harold. All I realize is that you confuse me with things." "What things?" "Things! Things like... this!" She spread her arms wide and waved it around. "Why are you here? You climbed up my bedchamber window! Why? Because I did not tell you about Sebastian? Because you heard I am leaving and you plan to stop me? Why, my lord?" "I am in love with you." His answer clearly took her by surprise. She was motionless while Harold held his breath. Then she blinked and shook her head. He took one step toward her. "You do not believe me." "You feel sorry, my lord. It is not love." "Will you please stop touching that bloody trunk for one moment and talk to me?" Harold burst out with impatience as she reached for the luggage. Alice turned and crossed her arms over her chest. With a strong gaze, she stiffly sat on the edge of her bed and slanted her head to the left, giving him a mocking look. That was enough for him, he thought. With a sigh, he approached her and got down on one knee to level their gaze. "I do not pity you, Alice. I am sorry for the many things I caused, for the words I said and the stupid things I have done. But what I feel for you is far from pity. I do love you." She flinched at his last words, making Harold even more desperate for her to believe him. Her face was as impassive as ever which was even more frustrating. "We have tried to put distance between us and it was difficult. I spent my days thinking about you, not merely about the night we spent together in Tiny Town, but of the entire time I spent with you. We tried to be friends and it was foolish of us to have even tried." He reached for her hands and was relieved when she allowed him to guide them to her lap. "I was foolish enough to believe I could idly stand by and watch you find someone to marry. And I am a greater fool trying to convince myself that I can live without you." He looked into her blue depths with desperation. "I do not merely need you to warm my bed at night, but I need you for the rest of my life. I would fight for you like a crazed man and I would do so over and over if it meant keeping you by my side." Her face softened as he spoke. Harold held his breath, waiting for her to speak. "What of your family curse? Do you not fear I will die?" she asked. "You believe the bloody curse?" he asked, fear apparent in his voice. She scoffed. "What I truly believe is that I might outlive you, Harry." The twitch of her lips after she said those words was enough. Harold grinned and rose higher to pull her head closer to his. Before their lips met, Alice stopped him by placing her hands on his shoulders, her eyes filled with warning. "You cannot change your mind, my lord. You will have to marry me now. I will not have you any other way." Harold chuckled and claimed her mouth with hunger and relief. For him, everything seemed to have finally fallen into their rightful place. The fear lingered at the back of his mind, but it was clouded by the intense feeling of relief that he finally had her. After a long time, their lips parted and both of them were breathless. Her beautiful blue eyes were shimmering with tears and he would have pointed it out, but he knew her well enough to ignore it. He gave her one last shattering kiss before jumping to his feet. He looked around the room. "Which of these trunks is more important?" Alice blinked in confusion. "Why?" Harold lifted the one on the floor and found it was quite heavy. "This will not do." Guessing what he was up to, Alice said, "My coat is lighter," with a knowing smile. Harold grinned and grabbed her coat. He wrapped it around her and cupped her face with his hands. "Perfect." Planting another kiss on her lips, Harold grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. ***** As they descended the stairs, the parlor door opened, revealing a frowning Eva followed by Martin who was holding a cloth against the right side of his face. "How did you manage to—" Eva started, but her husband's question overpowered hers, "Where the bloody hell are you going?" Despite the swollen face, Harold grinned at their friends. "Tiny Town, where else?" Eva covered her gasp with her hand, but she remained where she was when she saw Alice's beautiful grinning face. She reached for Martin when her husband tried to follow Harold and Alice down the hall. "Let them be," she told her husband. "But—" "Oh, stop acting as though you are a responsible host. We both know this was coming." "But—" Martin turned to her, still holding the cloth against his face. "What do we tell Lady Edwina?" Eva could no longer contain her smile. "That she does not have to live in a cottage after all."