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He touched her neck again and heat raged through him. How dare someone hurt her? How dare someone threaten her? Demeter’s worst sins were taking money in an honest game of cards from men who supposedly knew what they were doing. She was an utter innocent in all of this and he should never have involved her.
“I went against my instinct and spoke with your cousin and I am sorry. I had information that I wanted—”
“I’m not angry with you,” he hastened to say.
“Oh.”
He couldn’t help but smile. “How could I ever be angry with you?”
She lifted both hands. “Because I ignored my instincts?”
“I’m angry with myself. I should never have brought you into this. It was selfish of me.”
“No, I’m glad you did,” she protested. “It has been interesting and exciting and—”
“Is that a red carnation?”
She touched the necklace and frowned, where a delicate painted flower nestled amongst intricate gold links. “Yes?”
“They mean love.”
Her throat bobbed. “Well, yes.” Her frown deepened. “But how did you know that?”
He smirked, rose from the chair, and tugged the book on floriography out then handed it to her.
She ran her fingers over the embossed cover. “Why do you have this?”
“I wanted to understand you, Demeter.”
“Oh.”
“Are you in love?”
She eyed the book and pressed her lips together.
He eased down to crouch in front of her. “Because I am.”
Her gaze shot to his. “You are?”
He’d answered without thinking. Without even comprehending the enormity of what he’d just said. Yet it didn’t scare him. He smiled softly.
“Yes.” He took the book from her hands. “With an impossibly bold woman who has a secret life.”
“With…?” She slowly pointed a finger toward herself.
“Yes, sweeting. With you.”
“No.”
He chuckled. “I’m fairly certain I am.”
She shook her head vigorously, sending dark curls bouncing about her cheeks. “Men like you do not love women like me.”
“Attractive, sweet, clever women you mean?”
“Well, no.” She pursed her lips. “I mean, yes. I mean…” She sighed. “I do not know what I mean.”
“I love you, Demeter, so you had better get used to the idea.”
