Useful. Efficient. Beautiful.
He thought her beautiful, and he looked at her right this very moment as if she truly was to him.
“Reggie, this might be a time to use more words.”
She was still angry with him, but there was something else, something she thought was out of reach forever with this man. He stayed even when she showed him her temper, and she stayed even though he called her “useful.” If they got through this, it didn’t matter how little time they’d known each other. This was…love.
“Why?” he said. “I haven’t said anything of worth since you filled up my every thought.”
Oh, he was getting better. “You came to my doorstep to break off an arrangement that my parents established. You knew this, and then you, what…fell for me?”
“Completely. I didn’t realize my feelings for you at first. But when I wanted you for myself despite my friendship with Charles, despite that a loyal friend shouldn’t be wanting a former betrothed, I wanted so badly to—” He looked away. “I’ve said too much.”
Not enough! “So badly, what?”
“To kiss you,” he said quickly. “I still want to.”
She wanted to kiss him. This was madness! They’d only known each other for days. But they had been eventful days, with chores and vengeful ghosts.
Warily gazing about him, he took a step toward her. “I don’t know how this happened this quickly, Siân, or why. All I know is that I hate Charles for the way he treated you, and want to thank him for sending me to you.”
This still didn’t make any sense. She could fully understand Charles calling off the arrangement that she didn’t want, butReggiewanted her? “Why?”
“I want this to be it: you and me on a farm in England with wedding celebrations, too many children to count, and plentiful hay to be chucked out of barns.”
“Oh, Reggie,” she said. “I don’t want you learning any more words.”
“Good, for I’d rather be doing more kissing,” he said.
A great gust of wind swept through the room. They both swung their gazes to the fire, which almost went out, but then sprang back to life.
Siân looked around her, then looked again.
“She’s left, hasn’t she?” he asked.
“I think so,” she agreed. “I don’t feel her here anymore. It’s getting warmer, too.”
He strode toward her, and she held still. She loved watching him walk.
“I like that blush on you.”
She loved his voice as well. “I’m not blushing; I’m just…happy.”
On a laugh, he grabbed her hand and swung her toward him. She held still for that as well.
“No forcing some pixies on me when I make you ireful again?” He wrapped his arms around her, and there was nothing more to be done except do the same to him.
Pressing her nose to his chest, she breathed him in, and decided she liked his woodsy scent, too. “I don’t know, I like the idea of pixies. Are there any near your home?”
“I’ll find some for you, but there’s more we should say before we journey that way.”
She didn’t know if she could take any more. She was to marry this man, and share her life on a farm with his family.
“What more?” she whispered.
He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “No worries, my Siân, it is good.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded, and was rewarded with the smile that softened his eyes.
