She wasn't going to run away; she would be his wife. But he still wanted this to be perfect. A man only got one shot at declaring himself to his true love; he didn't want to muck it up completely.
"But one of the things I love best," he continued, "is the fact that you know yourself. You know who you are, and what you value. You have principles, Sophie, and you stick by them." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "That is so rare."
Her eyes were filling with tears, and all he wanted to do was hold her, but he knew he had to finish. So many words had been welling up inside of him, and they all had to be said.
"And," he said, his voice dropping in volume, "you took the time to see me. To know me. Benedict. Not Mr. Bridgerton, not 'Number Two.' Benedict."
She touched his cheek. "Y
