How did she explain that he was more? Or at least he should have been. But all she saw standing before her was the man. The man who had eaten a meat pie with her on the steps, had looked at a naughty photograph, had come to her aid, had kissed her senseless. Who had introduced her to passion and shown her how to soar. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because from the moment I met you, you captured my heart with your kindness, your generosity, your openness, your acceptance. You are the most gracious, unassuming woman I’ve ever known. For me, you were never a passing fancy. I don’t believe that can be said of all the gents here.”

She knew he was referring specifically to Beresford. Was he in attendance? She hoped so. She wanted to face him as well. Matthew was saying all the right words, but he’d once said the wrong ones. “You believed me capable of deceit.”

His eyes closed, his jaw clenched. Several heartbeats passed before he finally opened them. “I was blinded by my past. I don’t excuse my accusations or my actions—and I know now that Beresford sought to compromise you. But he didn’t count on you having the strength of will to reject a life or a gentleman you didn’t favor.” Another step down. “That took courage, Miss Trewlove. As well as an understanding of your own worth. A good many ladies could learn a great deal from you.”

Another step nearer. One more and his feet would land on hers. One more and she would have no choice but to wrap her arms around him to avoid tumbling backward. Take that step, a corner of her heart pleaded. Give me an excuse to touch you once again.

“Tell me that you don’t love me.”

She hadn’t expected the command. She could no more lie to him than she could to herself. He’d told this entire assembly that he loved her. How could she do any less? “Before Lord Beresford offered to show me the library, I had decided that I wasn’t going to attend any more balls, that I didn’t want to be part of the aristocracy because you weren’t there. And afterward, when I realized to spare my family shame, I would have to marry him, I knew that never again would I know a moment of joy because you would no longer be in my life.” The tears burned her eyes, and she blinked them back. “I love you so much that I can barely remember a time when I didn’t.”

The depth of emotion reflected in his green eyes weakened her knees. With one hand, he cradled her cheek. “I desperately want to kiss you, Fancy.”

“I desperately want you to.”

“Will you give me leave to call on you?”