An Offer From a Gentleman

“I can live with you hating me,” he said to the closed door. “I just can’t live without you.”

She cried because he was so damned nice, and even though he was clearly ill, even though she was, in his eyes, nothing but a housemaid, he still wanted to care for her and protect her.

She cried because she hadn’t let herself cry in longer than she could remember, and she cried because she felt so alone.

And she cried because she’d been dreaming of him for so very long, and he hadn’t recognized her. It was probably best that he did not, but her heart still ached from it.

Benedict turned his head sharply. By all that was holy, there was something damned familiar about her voice. But when his eyes searched her face, all he saw was a simple housemaid. A very attractive housemaid, to be sure, but a housemaid nonetheless. No one with whom he would ever have crossed paths.

“Good,” he said. “Shall we be off?”

She gave a rather pointed look at the arm that was still holding her hostage.

“Oh, for the love of God,” Benedict snarled. “Will you let go of her or will I have to shoot your damned hand off?”

"I love you," she whispered. "I've always loved you."

name was Benedict Bridgerton, he had seven brothers and sisters, was rather skilled with both a sword and a sketching crayon, and he always kept his eyes open for the one woman who had touched his soul.

"If you think that's everything, then you probably wouldn't understand why I must refuse."

mine right now. Be mine forever. I'll give you anything you want. All I want in return is you."

"It is not my habit to remain in the company of people who insult me."

He loved her. Suddenly the world was a very simple place. He loved her, and that was all that mattered.