He knew why she kept saying such things. She was trying to put distance between them, but the more they talked, the more they had in common. “It seems that you like farming.”
“Very much.” Another slash of rain, and she shivered. “So you must think I’m terrible for wanting to leave it so quickly even when the weather threatened a storm?”
Something like pain flashed through him. He had to be imagining her interest. “You are eager to get to Charles.”
“While that should be true, it isn’t.” She took a step back from him. “No, because I am eager to get away from my sister’s husband.”
She wasn’t eager for Charles? He took whatever steps there were between them and placed his hand upon her cheek. “Tell me.”
She looked up at him, that vulnerability and strength so very clear to him. “I don’t know why I’m saying this much.”
He curled his fingers along her cheek, felt the softness, craved to touch more of it. “You do.”
She held his wrist for a moment before pulling away. “He’s threatened me.”
“Who?”
“Eryl,” Siân said. “My sister Efa’s husband. He’s threatened servants as well. And there you were, whisking me away so that I’m safe, and they’re not, and—”
“You are no coward,” he said, and then a dark thought occurred. “Did he strike you?”
“No, he…he’s vile of manners and unfaithful to my sister. He hasn’t done anything physical, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He had no place to ask anything, and yet he wanted to know everything, if only to enact some justice. This wonderful woman was frightened! She’d packed up and fled her childhood home, leaving only a letter for a beloved sister, because of this Eryl.
“Did Charles know of this?”
She winced. “I wrote to him.”
That bastard never opened her letters. “I’ll kill him.”
“I don’t know if my sister would appreciate that,” she said.
He hadn’t meant to say that out loud, and Reggie wasn’t altogether certain if it was Charles or Eryl he would harm.
“You are no coward,” he repeated. “You’re brave, and beautiful, and you love farming like I do.”
She opened her mouth, closed it. When she blinked a few times, he couldn’t stand it anymore.
Curse the horses, the rain, and dishonorable men! He wanted better words, and never to be quiet again. “Siân, please tell me you feel what’s between us.”
“What’s between us?”
She did that enchanting furrowing of her brow, and he was lost.
One step, two, and he gathered every curve of her in his arms and bent down to get even closer than that.
“What are you doing?” she said.
Her words and breath were warm against his lips, and he was intoxicated,thrilledwith the bounty of Siân bound against him.
“Kissing you,” he said. They were a hairsbreadth apart, and it was as delicious as he’d thought it would be. When he pressed his fingers at her hips, the give of her generous body sent a thrill through him.
“Well, I think you’re missing some bits,” she retorted.
He was missing everything.Theywere missing it all, but as much as he wanted to toss her down on the ground and have his way with her, he needed her permission.
“Reggie,” he growled. “You’re missing some bits,Reggie.”
