She smiled at him, taking him in and seeing the sheer contentment on his face. “I am very glad to have done so.”
“My heart has found itself in an entirely new state,” he continued, his words a little more hurried now as though he fought to pull them from deep within himself before they could run from him. “I will tell you the truth, Lady Catherine… I—I believe I have a very great affection for you.” His fingers tightened on hers. “The beginnings of love, I think, and whilst I am quite sure that you will not be ready to accept that the change within my character is both genuine and long-lasting, I assure you that I am willing to wait.”
A sense of happiness flooded Catherine with warmth as his words rushed into her heart, lingering there as though they had found their home. She wanted to tell him the truth but found herself struggling to speak of it, lowering her gaze for a moment.
“I believe I have the very same feelings also, Lord Rutherford,” she whispered, as though saying them aloud would overwhelm her. “I can hardly believe that it is true, yet—”
Before she could finish speaking, his hand was on her chin, lifting her face to his. Their eyes met. She looked back at him, unable to speak, her heart racing with anticipation as slowly, so slowly, he leaned closer. She knew then that he was waiting for her to react to him, to make a choice as to whether or not she wanted such a thing to occur—and that knowledge of his respect and consideration for her had her leaning forward of her own accord, her lips brushing his.
It was over in a moment, for Lord Rutherford quickly sat back and dropped his hand from her face, although the glowing light in his eyes spoke of such wonderful things that Catherine could barely keep her gaze steady.
“I would like to court you, Lady Catherine,” he said softly. “My intentions are clear—I do not ask such a thing without intending for it to lead to matrimony, but only if you are willing.”
She smiled at him, her answer ready on her lips. “I would gladly accept you,” she said without hesitation. “Even if our courtship is of a short duration, I—”
He held up one hand, silencing her. “No,” he said, a trifle more gravely. “I must prove myself to you, Lady Catherine, and I intend to do just that. Courtship will allow you to know me better and to show you that the altering of my character is for the rest of my days.” One corner of his mouth lifted and she nodded, smiling back at him in understanding. “I should like to speak to your father, if you would be willing?”
“I am,” she told him, holding his hand tightly between her two. “I am more than willing, Lord Rutherford. From this day on, I shall allow my heart free so that it can feel all the love and affection for you that it wishes.”
“It is not something I deserve,” he replied, his hand reaching up again to brush down her cheek. “But I am grateful for it, Lady Catherine. I fully intend to let all of England know that you are the lady who has captured my heart.”
Her smile was radiant. “And I shall never let it go,” she finished, with nothing but joy and happiness filling her heart as she looked into the face of the gentleman she had come to love.