He kissed her…and she knew he was feeling the same. This moment was magic. It was the sealing of their troth. Their promise of commitment.
She held her hand up, palm out. He laced his fingers in hers and she drew him down upon the cool green grass.
They made love there, beneath the Scottish skies where God and all His kingdom served as witness. The act between them took on a different dimension than at anytime before. Therewas no lust—but love. Each kiss, each caress, each touch went beyond the mere physical. They were pledging their lives to each other.
And when Ian entered her, Lyssa silently offered thanks to God. She belonged in his arms. Could never leave them. He held her heart.
Later, her head on his chest, her legs entwined in his, Lyssa knew this was how it should be.
She only prayed her father would agree, but she did not speak doubts to Ian. She knew him well enough to know he harbored his own. She also believed they were both stubborn enough to live their lives as they pleased.
The next morning they left for London. Lyssa rode the chestnut. She was a good rider. Not as good in the saddle as Ian, but she could ride hard and well.
They would make the city in less than three days.
She didn’t know what the future held, but she trusted Ian enough to place her fate in his hands.
Chapter Eighteen
THEYreached London late in the afternoon.
Ian had been considering each of his options and decided it was best they not meet Harrell in his own home.
“You don’t trust my father there?” Lyssa asked.
“We have much to say to him. Neutral territory is best.”
She lowered her gaze to the reins in her hands. The frown line he was beginning to anticipate every time she worried formed between her eyes. He leaned over and covered her hand with his for reassurance. “All will be well,” he promised. “After all, you are already mine.” Every night on the road he’d held her in his arms. And last night, he’d dreamed she carried his child. Nothing could take her away from him now.
Her gaze met his. She nodded. “Must we tell him about my stepmother?”
“What do you wish?”
She pressed her lips together. “I wish that we did not, and yet, what choice is there? I’m happy to remove myself from her sphere but what happens if some day in the future—?” She didn’t finish the thought. “His life could be in danger.”
Ian nodded. Of course, he had no illusions as to what Pirate Harrell’s response would be to an accusation against his wife. Harrell didn’t strike him as someone who would appreciate having his judgment questioned. And no matter how much Lyssa talked in the positive, he also knew Harrell would not accept him.
The test of Lyssa’s love would be if, when confronted by her father, she still choose Ian. He believed in his heart she would.
And yet life had played far too many dirty tricks to not consider the possibility of betrayal.
“Where do you propose we ask him to meet?” she said.
“I have a friend who owns an inn down by the wharves. It’s a respectable place although not in the best of neighborhoods.”
“Let’s go there then.”
“All right.”
He started to urge Fortune on, but Lyssa reached out and placed her hand on her arm. “Ian, no matter what, I shall stay with you.”
Bringing her hand up to his lips, he kissed it and she smiled.Yes, yes, yes, he wanted to believe.
They arrived at the Scrolled Serpent an hour later. He and Roddy, the inn owner, went way back to his days in Ireland. His friend was happy to let them have a private room and wise enough not to ask too many questions. The room was located on the ground floor next to public room and had a window overlooking the street, perfect for Ian’s purposes.
While Lyssa wrote the letter telling her father she was home and begging him to come meet heralone, Ian stabled the horses. He had no money, so he offered the stable manager his pistol until payment could be made, knowing full well the gun might be pawned or sold before he returned.
That was just as well. In the future, he planned not to need it again.
