Leif gave a huff.
"You're either lying or crazy, or perhaps both." But he smiled anyway as he looked her over.
"You could have so many better husbands than me. Ones who could promise you the world, shower you with affections and take you out to see the world. I can't promise you that. None of it. But what I can promise is my undying devotion. I'd rather die than see you ever harmed, Valentina. ANd it scares me to think how much I truly care. It's all new to me, all of this. Any of this. Love is.... complicated. For me." And he found his large hands meeting with hers, threading their fingers together before looking up into her eyes.
"I've never had this. A chance at love, and what love I did have was devoted to my sister." He frowned and peered down at their hands his thumb stroking hers.
"I guess, if you truly do wish to keep me, I'll have the rest of our lives to make it up to you."