Free April Kihlstrom by The Dutiful Wife

you think I did not think of that?” he answered, with the same gentleness as before. “You are his child as well as a woman. You ought not to have to think of these things at all. But you may be sure I made provision that your father could not do as you fear.”
    Now, surely, she would look at him adoringly. Now, surely she would smile at him the way she had before. But she didn’t. All she did was to nod and say, with evident relief, “Thank you. I ought to have guessed you would be sensible about this.”
    Sensible? She was judging his behavior?
    No, he must be mistaken. It was surely the emotion of the situation that was oversetting her. She did not fully grasp the magnanimity of his gesture in providing for her family as he was. Women did not understand matters of the world as men did. Mind you, in her own sphere, Beatrix was most capable, he would grant her that. But it was natural she did not realize just how unusually generous his behavior was. After all, what father discusses potential marriage settlements and what to expect or not expect with his daughter? It must be so for the alternative was unthinkable.
    Having soothed his own feelings, Rothwood bent himself to pleasing her. “I am, will always be, happy to be of service to you and to your family,” he said.
    She looked at him with frank eyes. “Why?”
    Again he was taken aback. “B-because I hope you are going to be my wife. Because I wish to cherish you and make you happy.”
    She nodded, then paused and smiled wryly. “I am sorry,” she said. “I am surely giving you a very bad impression of myself. You don’t deserve that. You have been all kindness to me and my family and I am grateful, truly I am. I have just been so worried, you see.”
    He pressed a kiss into the palm of her hand. “You don’t need to worry anymore. I am here. Indeed, you needn’t worry about anything, ever again, for I shall do so for you.”
    She blinked. She narrowed her eyes. For a moment he thought she was going to take offense, though he could not imagine why. Perhaps he was mistaken. Perhaps she was just seeking the words to thank him properly. When she spoke he knew he was right even if nervousness caused her voice to take on the oddest tone.
    “You are very kind. Very generous as well. Indeed, I don’t know what to say to that.”
    “Say that you will marry me. Or, if you have doubts, tell me what they are. Give me a chance to answer them.”
    She opened her mouth to answer and closed it again. She looked all at sea. He tried to help. He gentled his voice even more. He smiled the smile he had been told no woman could resist. “I know that my visit came as a surprise,” he said. “I hope it has been a happy one for you. I know this visit has been delightful for me. But now you must choose. If you will not marry me, I have very little time to find another bride and to be honest, I do not wish to do so. I felt a bond with you all those years ago and I feel it even stronger today. I had hoped you might feel the same.”
    He paused and enlightenment struck. “You are feeling maidenly reserve. I quite understand. Marriage can seem daunting. It can do so even when two people rub along as well as you and I have this past week. But I assure you that I shall not press you unreasonably in, er, physical ways and I shall do my best to make it pleasurable for you. Let me show you just a taste of what lies ahead.”
    Gently he stood and drew her to her feet. He put his arm around her back, tilting her head so that she looked up at him. She did not resist nor did she look as though she knew what he intended. Slowly, so that she would have time to draw back if she wished, he lowered his head and gently brushed his lips over hers.
    He half expected her to take to her heels or cry out, but she did not. Instead her hands crept up his chest until they grasped the lapels of his coat, crushing them as she held on and parted her lips in a sigh he did not think she knew she