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“I won’t keep you against your will.”
“My will is to be with you,” she answered with perfect honesty.
He winced, understanding all too well. Perhaps she shouldn’t have explained the Fascination to him, how she would follow after him no matter how he treated her, how she wouldn’t be able to help herself. He wanted her to love him, and she did. But he had ideas that somehow her love wasn’t offered freely enough. She didn’t know how to give him any more than that.
She reached for Papa’s letter, and Gabriel once again put his hand over hers. “I can reply to it, Nic. You don’t have to put yourself through this.”
“Are you telling me not to read it?”
“No,” he answered, holding her gaze. “You are an adult who can decide for herself. I’m offering to shoulder this burden for you.”
She slid her hand and the missive out from under his. The Fascination might be beyond her control, but she didn’t have to lean on Gabriel more than it compelled her to. Her relationship with her family was her problem.
Opening the folded letter, she began to read.
And her heart sank to join her stomach.
