Page 94 of Four Promises to Love

Crikey. The honor he wanted to bestow upon her was beyond her wildest dreams. Desperate longing rushed through her. There had to be a way for them to be together, and she would figure it out—later. For now, she gave him everything she could.

“I do care for you,” she said shakily. “So very much.”

The relief that blazed across his face was too much to bear. She threw her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his, communicating in the only way she could what he meant to her.

I love you. You are everything I want. I will find a way to be with you—and save Iris.

He groaned her name, and the kiss ignited as it always did for them. Need ran molten in her veins as he pulled her onto his lap, his lips searing her throat. He murmured endearments that made her heart sing. When he slipped his hand beneath her skirts, stroking a path up her leg, she let her head fall back against his shoulder. She was mesmerized by the ferocity of his regard—by the love in his gaze.

“I have something important to ask you,” he said.

Her pulse raced. “I…I am not ready for⁠—”

“Not that.” He rolled his eyes. “When the time comes, I will do that properly on bended knee. Not with you on my lap making me harder than Berkshire flint.”

“Oh. Then what is your question?”

“Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the fair?”

How could anyone resist this man?

“I wish I could,” she said softly. “But I will be working all day.”

Spiritualists were sought after at fairs, and she couldn’t give up the profit. The money wasn’t enough to mollify Carver, but the Hawks needed an emergency cushion. In case they had to do a flit—but she didn’t want to think about that now.

“What about in the evening?”

She decided to treat herself. “I could take a few hours. But Tansy will probably want to come.”

“Then we shall bring her. Fairs are meant to be enjoyed by the little ones. Invite the others, too.”

“That is generous of you,” she said softly.

“If you think that is generous, wait until I give you my parting gift.”

“I don’t need a gift⁠—”

“Just a little something to remember me by.”

Smiling into her eyes, he slid his hand higher, caressing her through the slit of her drawers, where she was wet and aching.

“I’m hardly going to forget you,” she said breathily.

“Even so. Keep your eyes open.”

She couldn’t look away if someone paid her to.

“I want you to see the man who loves you,” he said huskily. “Who is going to make this sweet pussy weep with pleasure.”

She did, and he did, and when bliss exploded through her, all she saw was him.

The confrontation happened when Finn came down for breakfast. She’d been expecting it; after returning from her walk with Owen, she’d steeled herself for a fight. But Caleb had left to play cards with some local lads, and she’d felt as if her sentence had been commuted.

Now she would have to pay the piper. Everyone was seated at the kitchen table, Caleb at its head. At the sight of her, he stopped buttering his toast with his dagger and stabbed it into the table. The gesture was dramatic, unnecessary, and entirely him.

“We need to steal the ring,” he announced.

Blooming hell, it wasn’t yet seven in the morning. She hadn’t even had her tea.