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“Next question. Would ye rather ne’er see the sea again or ne’er eat your favorite food again.”

“Not eat me favorite food.”

He raised his brow. “That be a swift answer.”

“I’d give up anythin’ to keep me view o’ the sea.”

“I feel the very same. That was the most difficult part o’ livin’ off the Mount for so long. I used to stare at paintin’s o’ the sea to satisfy me desire to see ’em waves again.”

She smiled at the image of August staring at paintings instead of working.

The rain was beginning to seep through her cloak now, cooling her shoulders, but she fought the urge to shiver. Now that August was had fully come alive again, she’d do anything to remain with him.

“Next question,” he said. “Do ye prefer travelin’ by boat or by walkin’ across the Causeway?”

This time, Livvy was required to think for a moment. “I believe I’d rather walk. I enjoy the fresh air more that way, and it takes more time, which means I get to enjoy the sights for longer.” She paused, picturing the causeway in her mind’s eye. “And there be somethin’ magical ’bout walkin’ across a pathway that only hours ’fore ’ad been covered by the sea.”

“Yet another favorite we share in common,” August responded. He straightened, his expression growing serious as he looked around them. Finally, he leaned toward her with a whisper. “Do ye regret goin’ with me last night?”

Livvy nearly gasped. That had been the exact question she’d been longing to ask August for a good quarter of an hour now. How had he had the courage to simply ask it straight out?

She was also starting to grow suspicious of his questions. Had he given up on his quest to find her favorite flower and was now simply asking her questions that he wanted the answers to? Either way, she couldn’t fault him for the bravery she wished she could mimic.

Even now, she was trying to find a way around answering his question with the truth. Then again, what good would that do? She’d ben skirting around the issue their entire conversation now and had felt no peace because of it.

Perhaps she should simply answer with the truth.

Just do not be odd, Livvy.

The same old warning echoed through the recesses of her mind, drawing her spirits low and pushing her to retreat, to revert into the shell she’d lived in for years.

Then another thought occurred. Why should she listen to such thoughts when they continued to drag her down—to change her into a person she didn’t want to be?

She would much rather listen to something else. Anything else.

Then live the way ye wish to live. Live without regret.

Instantly, her spirits were buoyed, and courage replaced all hesitancy.

Facing him directly, she shook her head. “No, August. I don’t regret a single moment I spent with ye last night.” Then she peered deep into his eyes. “Do ye?”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“These flowers are like the pleasures of this world.”

Cymbeline, William Shakespeare

Livvy could hardly breathe as she awaited August’s response.

Fortunately, she did not have to wait long, as his features softened, and his easy smile returned. “No,” he replied. “No, I do not regret it in the least.”

Relief overwhelmed her senses.

“But I thought I be the one askin’ questions ’ere,” August continued with narrowed eyes.

More relief. This, this was the real August. How happy she was to see him return.

“Be on with it, then,” she teased right back.