“I do,” she insisted. “We are partners, are we not?”
“Are we?” Hiro sighed, tucking one arm around her and turning his gaze up to the ceiling. “Here in Scotland…”
When he trailed off, Amanda felt a pit forming in her stomach. “Here in Scotland we are no different people than if we were in Siam.”
“You know that’s not true,” he said quietly, still staring at the ceiling. “Do you want to leave for Effinghell tomorrow? Or do you need more rest?”
The day had been eventful. The shopping, the kiss in the kirkyard, those horrible bandits. She’d wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around Hiro and pour out her love and pride while accepting his comfort. But then she’d had to dine with the Boobtitskys, pretending nothing was wrong, as Hiro felt forced to abandon her.
Why couldn’t he see that she wanted him at her side, always?
He thinks he is not good enough for you.
Which was obviously nonsense.
Anyone who couldn’t see how magnificent he was, who couldn’t understand why she might love him, wasn’t someone she wanted to know.
What had he asked? Oh yes.“Tomorrow, I think,” she finally admitted. “But I still say we should go to York to spend Christmas withyourfamily. You have not seen them in an age.”
Finally, he tipped his head to one side, meeting her gaze. “Perhaps. But your brother is aduke, and wants you there.”
She bristled slightly at the stupid belief that her family was somehow more important. “Have you heard from him?”
A hesitation, then Hiro’s chin dropped slightly. “I had a letter from him.”
She had not.
Still, perhaps this was the time to make her suggestion… “Hiro, I know Christmas is a special time for family, and I will be pleased to see mine again, but…”
He squeezed her shoulder. “I told Alistair you would be there for at least a month.”
She winced. “Amonth? We are supposed to be in the south of France by the end of January.”
It shouldn’t be possible to shrug while crammed together in a tight bunk, but Hiro did. “We can push it back. Alistair?—”
“Alistair!” she growled, pushing herself upright, missing his warmth already but too peeved. “Alistair. Here he is again, interrupting us! Who cares whathewants?” she demanded as she swung her legs from the bed.
“I do,” Hiro murmured quietly from behind her. “He pays my salary.”
Salary. Amanda’s eyes fluttered closed at the hurtful reminder that this was ajobto Hiro.
Time to try again. “I want to see my family,” she began as calmly as she could manage. “Of course I do. I just…” She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, staring down at where her hands rested on her bare knees. “I found a book in the hotel library.”
His hand went to her lower back, fingers spreading warmth, although he said nothing.
Amanda hoped it was a good sign. “It was about the legends of the Borders. There is a little town called Hearthwell-on-Cozing. There is a well there…” She swallowed. “Amagicwell.”
A small noise from behind her. Then, “Magic?”
Her heart was thumping as fast as it had been moments ago when Hiro had moved within her. This might not be the best time, but she’d been mulling over this idea for days and had to tell him.
“It is said—that is, local legend, dating back for centuries, has claimed that if, during the Christmas season, a couple throws a coin into the well from their clasped hands…” She took a deep breath. “They are destined to be married.”
The hand which had been stroking her back stilled. After a long moment, Hiro finally said in a dull voice, “And you want to go there?”
Of course I do! “The Christmas season lasts until Epiphany, Hiro,” she blurted, twisting on the bed to see his impassive expression. “We could visit Effinghell—or even York—for Yule,thengo to Hearthwell. The Borders are not too far from either, just think?—”
“Iamthinking!” he spat out, sitting so suddenly she had to lean away or risk being crowded off the bed. “You’rethe one not thinking.”
