Marina’s eyes were wide as she said, “I’m not sure how I can promise to marry you when I’m betrothed to Minto, even if I wished to. My father won’t allow it, and Minto won’t delay until I reach my majority.”
Evan rose. She was right, of course, but his pride would have liked a bit more emotion and professions of affection from her. The words hung in his throat to tell her he loved her, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Not because he didn’t feel it, but because he worried she didn’t feel the same, or worse, never would.
He put the ring back in his pocket and clasped her arms again, pulling her against him. Leaning his forehead against hers, he closedhis eyes, trying to find a solution that wouldn’t mean her running away.
He jerked his head up. “Marina, if you wish to marry me, I know a way. We can depart to Gretna Green and marry. We can go right away and there will be nothing Minto or your father can do about it. Only if that is what you choose.”
Couples ran off to Gretna Green all the time. It was quite scandalous, but society could hang.
“Evan, it would mean scandal for you and your family. Are you quite sure?”
“It will ensure you don’t have to run away,” he reasoned. “We may have to live in the country for a while, but our friends will stand by us. Thetonwill find something else to talk about soon enough and they’ll forget about it. We can do this. Together.”
The way it should have always been. The two of them together, facing any challenge they faced.
“Do you mean it?”
He noted the crack in her voice when she asked.
Taking her hands in his, he kissed her brow. “Of course I mean it. We will leave as soon as I can arrange everything. I’ll work out the details and let you know when to be ready.”
“I wish to marry you, Evan,” she said, but her expression shifted again to doubt. “Are you sure about this? My father and Minto are going to be angry. They will cause trouble for us.”
“I don’t give a damn,” he said. “Your father lost the right to any respect I may have offered him when he decided to marry you off to Minto. I will hire extra guards to ensure your safety.”
He’d spend every dollar he’d just recovered if that was what it took.
Marina’s eyes widened. “I’m displeased with my father, but I don’t think he’d hurt me.”
“No, I don’t believe so, but Minto might.”
He would do everything in his power to ensure that didn’t happen.
She nodded in agreement. “In his mind, he’s already bedded me, so you are probably right.”
Evan cringed. “Please, never speak those words again.”
“Just imagine how I feel.” She shuddered.
He tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “He is never touching you. I will die before I let that happen. As long as there is air in my lungs, no one shall ever lay a hand on you.”
She pressed onto her toes and placed a light kiss on his lips. His heart flipped in his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her, needing to hold her close. He desired her, but this was more than that. He needed to feel her in his arms, to know they would be together. She laid her head on his shoulder and sighed, and he kissed the top of her head.
“Evan?” she whispered.
“Hmm?”
“I’m scared.” Her body trembled against him.
He pulled her back so he could see her face. “About marrying me?”
“No,” she said with such intensity that he knew she meant it. “I’m scared we won’t succeed. I fear Minto.”
In that moment, he knew he was right not to tell her just how scared she should be of the man, given what he’d learned from the magistrate.
“He’s set on this match. What if he escalates?” she asked.
If someone took Evan’s temperature, it would be at boiling point. He hugged her tight, as if doing so would keep anyone from tearing them apart. “I will kill him.”
