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Chapter 30
Mabel felt Mac’s hands tighten on her arms, eager to return the embrace, but she was frightened. He had left without a word to her. It was important business he’d gone to see to, she’d grant him that, but where was the communication?
She could see now how he had been afraid to speak his mind before. He could not have asked her this question while his family hung in the balance, waiting to be redeemed from their pitiable circumstances.
“It is not the life you wanted, is it?” Mac asked, so defeated in the deflation of his shoulders, his pulled-together eyebrows, that she wanted to raise her finger and wipe the concerned wrinkles from his brow.
“It is not that,” she said. “I simply am not sure if Gram will agree to leave this house. She’s spent nearly her whole life here.”
“Then we will remain.” He stepped closer and she could feel his chest rising and falling against her own. His face was so near, Mabel could feel his breath tickle her lips, and it stunned her. “We can accomplish anything if we do it together. Including raising that sister of yours and caring for Gram.”
Somehow, when Mac used the family name, it did not bother Mabel in the slightest. It was ridiculous, really, but she could think of no reason to refuse this man. She loved him, and he loved her in return. The gentle way he held her and the look in his eyes spoke it more clearly than any words ever could. But he’d also said the words, and it had filled her with the warmest love.
“Marry me?” he asked again, his whisper brushing against her lips, so close it seemed to steal her breath.
She looked into his honey-brown eyes, the flecks of gold making an appearance just for her. “Yes, Mac. I’ll marry you.”
A smile spread wide over his lips before they descended on hers. His hand slid up to Mabel’s, the other wrapping around her back and pulling her close. His kiss was soft and gentle, brushing over her lips with delicate care and filling her body with unparalleled warmth.
He pulled back. “Yes?” he asked, as if he needed to confirm.
She bit down on her lip, fighting the joyful smile that no doubt mirrored her heart. “Yes.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he picked her up and swung her around, making her feel dainty in a way that no other man could. Chuckling, he set her down again and took her lips in his with a fervor she had not expected.
“Mabel!” Pippa said, running toward them. “I need Mac now. It is time!”
They broke apart and Mabel tried to step back, but Mac would not release her from his hold. Her cheeks warmed from the multitude of eyes that were fastened on them.
“Is it time?” he asked, and Mabel could feel his voice rumbling through his chest.
“Time for what?” Mabel asked.
“Mac has agreed to be my villain,” Pippa said as though it was a chore.
“Have you?”
“Indeed. I am to be their pirate.”
Pippa gasped. “Say no more, Mac! You will give everything away!”
He laughed again and bent down to kiss the tip of Mabel’s nose. “I suppose we ought to go share our news. You have been thoroughly compromised, my dear.”
Mabel sought her father out in the crowd and her cheeks warmed further at his raised eyebrows.
“Come, Mac,” Pippa said, taking his hand and pulling him away.
Mabel followed them toward the crowd, and they skirted the group toward the place set up with chairs for Pippa’s play.
Mabel paused beside her father and he cleared his throat. “I hope you have something to tell me,” he said.
“I have agreed to marry Mac, Papa.”
“Well I should hope so after that display.”
She could not hide her embarrassment, so heavily did it flame on her cheeks. “Do you approve?” she asked.
“I could not have chosen better for you myself,” Papa said. He grew contemplative. “In fact, I feel foolish for not having thought of it initially.”
