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‘All this talk about marriage. Did she suggest that you ought to propose to me?’
‘No. Why? Did she suggest it to you?’
‘She said that she thought it was a good idea.’
‘Oh, for pity’s sake... When I get back to Bath, she and I are going to have a serious talk.’
‘She did add that I didn’t have to marry you.’
‘How decent of her.’ He sounded terse. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s all right. It was actually nice to know that she approves, although I told her I’d be completely unsuitable. I mean, maybe not for a captain, but if you inherit, how could I ever be a countess?’
‘Haven’t we been over this? How could I be an earl?’
‘Exactly! One of us at least ought to know what we’re doing.’
‘But if I were a captain you would consider it?’ He rested his forearms on his knees and gave her a long look.
‘I don’t know...perhaps.’ She was surprised by her own answer. ‘But what would you do? Go back to the navy and leave me behind?’
‘Not necessarily. Maybe I’ll decide on a career in baking instead. That’s something we would decide together. I’ve saved a reasonable amount of prize money over the years so I wouldn’t have to go back if you didn’t want me to.’
‘But I thought you said you belonged there?’
‘I said that it gave me a sense of belonging, but maybe belonging doesn’t have to be with a ship.’ His gaze latched on to hers. ‘Maybe it could mean with a person instead. Maybe it already does.’
‘You should still wait and see what happens.’
‘Why? If we belong together, then what does it matter who I am or where we are?’
Anna clenched her jaw, refusing to consider the possibility. ‘Are you always so impulsive?’
‘I joined the navy on impulse. That was the best decision I ever made.’
‘Well, I like to think things through.’
‘That’s why we’re perfect together.’
‘Except that you don’t love me.’ She spoke the words softly, trying her hardest to make them into a statement and not a question. She didn’t want to sound as if she were trying to force him into a declaration. He hadn’t said that he loved her, although his words were tantalisingly close. Did she love him? Everything had happened so fast that she hadn’t had a chance to consider. Maybe it was too fast? What had he said about his parents’ whirlwind romance? Maybe there was a danger of them repeating the same mistake. She didn’t know. All she knew was that her blood was coursing so heavily that she could hear the rapid thud of her own heartbeat.
‘Don’t I?’ He rubbed a hand thoughtfully over his chin. ‘I’ve never considered the idea in a great deal of depth before. How would I know if I did?’
‘I don’t think I’m the person to ask. I’ve never considered it in depth before, either.’
‘Then maybe we both ought to start considering.’ He lifted his hands to either side of her face, twisting it slowly towards him and lowering his mouth against hers. His touch was featherlight and gentle, stroking and caressing rather than possessing. His lips were warm and soft, too, making her feel as if she were slipping into some kind of trance. Her mind, that was, since her body felt the exact opposite, thrumming with vibrations that seemed to reach down to her very core. Briefly, she thought of the piano he’d played in Bath, feeling as though she were the instrument. His hands seemed to be playing her just as skilfully, trailing a slow path over her throat, down her shoulders and around her back, down to the base of her spine, making every part of her quiver.
They came apart finally and he looked deep into her eyes, his own heavy-lidded with what, even to her inexperienced mind, looked like desire. Desire for her. The thought made her even more light-headed. If she wasn’t careful, she might lose her grasp on reality altogether. She might forget who she was and where she came from and start to think that she belonged with him, too. And then what might she say...and do? It was madness to even consider marrying him and yet...she was.
‘It’s just something to think about.’ He touched his forehead lightly against hers before moving away. ‘You don’t have to give an answer. Not yet.’
Chapter Sixteen
Samuel waited outside for an hour while Anna went to meet her family. It gave him some time to think about what had happened in the herb garden, which he had to admit, in retrospect, might have been somewhat misguided. They’d both been through enough emotional turmoil over the past few days without him bringing up the subject of marriage. He probably should have waited. On the other hand, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it, either. The fact that she hadn’t refused outright made him optimistic, too.
‘I’m sorry for keeping you waiting,’ a voice called out from behind. ‘I hope you don’t feel banished out here.’
‘Not at all.’ He turned to find Tobias Holden walking towards him. ‘I’m sure you had a lot to talk about.’
