Warmth like she had never known was spreading through her as his mouth placed a trail of kisses down her cheek.“I see your point.”
And then his mouth pressed to hers.
It was soft, and light, and so achingly sweet, his fingers still lightly resting on her face when he lifted his mouth from hers, every fiber of her being cried out for another.
“Speak with your mother about our decision.Perhaps we can all come to an agreement?”
She nodded, her chin moving a bit despite the fact that her gaze was riveted to his.She’d never kissed a man before, never dreamed that it would be so…consuming.She brought up her shaking hand to rest on the lapel of his coat.“I will.”
“Priscilla,” he said his thumb grazing over her bottom lip.It sent another shower of tingles rippling through her.
“Yes?”she asked, swaying closer until her body was nearly touching his.
“I will care for you.I swear it.”
Had she hurt his feelings with her earlier doubt and her hesitation in accepting his proposal?But she didn’t ask as he leaned down and kissed her again, his lips lingering for several seconds before he finally pulled away.“I’ll send word to your mother tomorrow so that we can find a time and place for the three of us to meet.I wish to ask her permission, before we formalize our arrangement.”
And then he was gone.
Priscilla slumped against the wall, not certain her feet would carry her to the music room.
Had she considered saying no to this man?
In this moment, she could not think of a single reason she might…
* * *
Wyatt rubbedat bleary eyes despite the sun that shone brightly in the sky.
He’d hardly slept last night.
But in the end, he and Ralph had managed to send the entire ring of thieves to Scotland Yard.
And he’d arranged to see Priscilla and her mother.The ladies would walk in the park just across from their home and he’d meet them on the other side in the quiet corner where the trees and bushes should block them from view.
His goal today was to convince Priscilla to elope with him.If that failed, then he’d visit the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury to obtain a special license.
Ralph could take care of the Bushy Hero’s business in London.
His hand tightened on the quill he held.Ralph’s words from two nights prior swirled about his thoughts.
Why was the fight so important to him and why did he attempt to keep distance between him and Priscilla?He hadn’t answered Ralph last night but the more he thought on it, the more he wondered.
There was a part of him that wanted Priscilla so much he ached from it but another…
It wasn’t just that he needed to defend her or even himself.If he stopped the fight and focused on her, how long, when she had all of him, would she continue to want him?He scrubbed a hand through his hair.
Still, if they eloped now, she’d not have time to change her mind.
He ran a hand across the back of his neck.That’s not why he’d make the offer.He’d elope to help her evade her cousin.
He rose from the desk, tossing down the pen as he did so.He had some decisions to make now that she’d consented to the match.
Would he continue with his nightly activities?Tell her about them?And what of his past?
Once they were married, she couldn’t leave when she learned just how broken he was.Could she?
He left the room, making his way out to the carriage house.He’d attached several punching bags and pull up bars for training, and despite his exhaustion, he stripped off his jacket, vest, and cravat and began to jab at the bag.
