Page 54

Lily let out a sigh, the sound reverberating through his lips and settling down inside his soul. A shiver passed through his body as the blood collected in his groin.

He took her by the hand and led her to the pile of blankets. They settled down, his back leaning against the armchair, Lily in his arms, his nose in her hair. “What do you want to read today?”

“Hmm…” Lily ran a finger over Thorn’s knuckles, down his fingers, lingering on the signet ring he wore on his middle finger. “Perhaps we can take a break from reading today.”

Thorn froze. “Are you tired then? Have they been working you too hard? Tell me, and I will—”

“No.” Lily chuckled. “No, and please, do not be my savior. I don’t want any special treatment.”

“But you are special.”

Lily heaved a sigh. She took a breath as if to speak, but the words never left her lips.

“Tell me,” Thorn prompted.

Lily turned in his lap and placed a hand against his cheek. “I’d rather you kissed me.”

Thorn smiled and pressed his lips against hers. She instantly opened to him, enveloping his lips in the heat of her mouth. Her tongue searched his, and when they touched, a jolt of desire ran through him.

Lily shifted in his lap, her bum rubbing against his erect length, her kisses urgent, her hands weaving around his neck and drawing him closer.

Lily broke the kiss, their heavy breathing the only sound in the room.

“Lily,” he whispered, caressing her soft cheek with his thumb. “How I wish we could stay in this room like this forever.”

“But we can’t…” Her voice was small, almost inaudible.

Thorn’s arms tightened around her. He’d been trying not to think about it, about the long days ahead without seeing her smile, without hearing her laugh. “I know that I am leaving for Cambridge in a few days, but it doesn’t have to change anything.”

“How could it not?” She raised her vulnerable gaze to his. “Everything will be different.”

He took her hand and cradled it between his palms. “My feelings won’t be.”

“Can you truly promise me that?”

He pressed his lips to her temple. “I can. I do.”

Lily’s fingers played with the hem of his sleeve. “You say that now, but once you’re there—”

“No.” Thorn shifted, guiding her to face him fully. “Look at me, Lily.” When she raised her liquid eyes to his, he continued, “I have never been more certain of anything in my life.” His heart racing, he plunged his hand into his pocket and pulled out a ruby ring. He swallowed. “And to prove to you just how certain I am, I want to give you this.”

“Art!” Her eyes widened, Lily alternated from staring at him to the ring and back again, shock evident on her face.

“This is a Thornton betrothal ring. I don’t know how long it’s been in our family, but it’s given to the first son in hopes that he gives it to his intended bride.” He licked his incredibly dry lips. “I want you to have it. If you—” He faltered, heat climbing up his face, a stutter on his lips. “If y-you agree to marry me.”

Lily stared at him as if he’d gone mad. And he might as well have. He was mad. Madly in love with her.

She shook her head, and the pain he felt was as if a spear pierced his heart.

“You can’t be serious,” she finally breathed out. “Your father would never allow—”

“I don’t need his permission.” Thorn’s voice was fierce with conviction. “In two years, just as I’ll have finished at Cambridge, I’ll be one and twenty. I will be able to marry whoever I want. We only need to wait until then.”

“Two years is a long time,” she whispered, but he could see hope beginning to shine in her golden eyes.

“Not when you’re certain of the outcome.” He brushed his thumb across her knuckles. “I love you, Lily. I want to spend my life with you. Will you wait for me?”

She stared at the ring, then at his face. “You’re truly serious about this?”