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In a few minutes, they were turning into Nampara Cove. The boat… grounded in the sand. [Ross] got out and, as [Demelza] made to follow, he caught her about the waist and carried her to dry land. He kissed her before he put her down… Then, without words, they turned… and walked together hand-in-hand the half mile to the house. She was quite silent. He had never done what he had done tonight. He had never kissed her before except in passion. This was something different. She knew him to be closer to her tonight than he had ever been before. For the very first time they were on a level… They were a man and a woman, with no inequality between them… When they reached their room… he put his arms about her… and kissed her.
"Ross," she said. "Dear Ross."
"I love you," he said, "and am your servant. Demelza, look at me. If I've done wrong in the past, give me leave to make amends."
- Winston Graham, Ross Poldark (Novel 1), Book 3, Chapter 2.
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Chapter 1
Demelza stared up at him, scarcely able to believe what she'd just heard. Though they were closer tonight than they had ever been before, this had to be – could only be – a dream! He was standing there telling her he loved her. Her! Demelza! His kitchen maid these three or more years past – and wife as well now. A creature of the Earth: no angel, she. And no hope of gaining his heart but hoping for it all the same. He loved her. Doubt warred with the desire to believe.
Ross's lips curved in a half-smile as he watched the struggle play out on Demelza's face. "You called me 'dear' just now," he reminded her, "and eight – nine? – weeks ago, when you first seduced me," – he smiled wolfishly as her cheeks flushed dark in the candlelight – "you told me you lived only for me. Have I proved such a poor husband that my love is no longer wished for – or welcome now that you have it?"
"Oh no, Ross!" she said, finding her voice at last. "No! Never that!"
His mood became serious again. "Then believe me, my dearest Demelza, I love you."
The look in her dark, shining eyes told him that belief had triumphed over doubt. He leant down to kiss her again but she laid a hand on his lips and stopped him. He tilted his head in silent question.
"My heart is full t' burstin', Ross," she said, her gaze roaming over the lean, chiselled planes of his face. "I think mebbe I'll die of happiness if you kiss me right now. Let me just look at you a while longer."
He stood, transfixed, as she gently traced her fingers over his forehead, down his jaw line and, finally, along the scar on his cheek. His own heart was in danger of bursting. He covered her hand with his and pressed his face into her palm.
"I – I would not like to lose you so soon, Demelza," he said, the roughness in his voice giving lie to his attempt at levity, "but if I don't kiss you, I might be the one to die." He released her hand and wrapped his arms around her again.
"An' I wouldn't like that, my love," she replied. Then she took his face in her hands and did what she had never done before: she kissed him first.