“Obligation has nothing to do with it, Kendra. If I have transformed your life, you have transformed mine,” he said quietly. “When I met you, I was drifting and uncertain of who I was or what I wanted to do. Now I know who I am.” He smiled down at her. “But there are other things I’d like to be, such as your husband and a father to your two beautiful children.”

“Do you love me?” she asked softly. “Or is it more that I’m here and we get along well?”

Lucas shook his head. “That’s what you had with Denshire, wasn’t it? We both deserve better. I love you as I have never loved another woman and can’t even imagine loving anyone else as much.” He studied her lovely face, her searching eyes with their deep, compassionate warmth. “I know this is too soon. You may never be able to love me, and if so, I hope you find the man you can love.” He smiled wryly. “I’m just giving a statement of intent. What you do with it is up to you.”

She took their joined hands and laid them over her heart. “I thought that I loved Denshire enough, but I was wrong. I have feared that I love you too much.” Her face suddenly lit up. “I hope I’m wrong again! Surely there can never be too much love.”

“Never! You have so much to give, and I’m awed and grateful that you want to give some of it to me.” He hesitated. “Forgive me for being somewhat dim, but does this mean you’ll marry me?”

“It most certainly does!”

“When? Denshire has been dead for less than half an hour so perhaps we should wait a decent interval.”

“No, we should not!” she said firmly. “I refuse to let that man rule my life again in any way.” More quietly, she added, “I have been mourning the death of my marriage for a long time. Now I’m ready for my future. Our future.”

With a deep happiness beyond words, he drew her into his arms. “With a special license, we can marry in two or three days.”

She blinked. “I suppose we can, but wouldn’t you like to have a little more time to be sure?”

“I’m sure now.” He grinned at her. “There’s a journey that we’re going to want to take very soon, and I’d rather not do it in separate bedrooms.”

“A journey . . . ?” She laughed with understanding. “Of course. I hope that Simon and Suzanne have time to stand up with us in three days.”