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She rubbed one of her aching temples. “Indeed, no.”
Braden took her hand and let out an exasperated breath. “Your fingers are like ice, Samantha.”
She grimaced. “Sorry. I suppose it’s because I’m tired.”
He began massaging her fingers and palm, which warmed both her handandthe rest of her quite quickly.
“I do have a suggestion for handling Beath,” he said. “It would keep Felicity safe and effectively quell any gossip about us.”
“Really? That would seem to require a miracle.”
“Nothing so dramatic, although it will require a leap of faith on your part.”
When he paused, apparently waiting for a response, Samantha huffed out an impatient breath. “And what would that leap of faith entail?”
“Marrying me.”
Her brain stuttered. Was he joking again? He couldn’tpossiblybe serious.
Anger flared as she snatched her hand away. “That isnotamusing, Dr. Kendrick.”
“I’m not trying to be amusing,” he protested. “I’m completely serious. I think we should get married.”
Samantha jumped to her feet and flapped her arms. “I don’t even know why you’d suggest so outrageous a thing.”
As she took a hasty step back, she collided with the table and caught her heel in the hem of her skirt. Braden leapt up, grabbing her shoulders before she toppled over in an undignified heap.
“Daft girl,” he said with exasperation. “It’s not necessary to break your neck to get away from me.”
He steered her back to the sofa and gently pushed her down. He remained standing, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied her.
“I wasn’t trying to get away from you,” she replied, smoothing her skirts and trying to recover at least a shred of dignity.
“Looked to me like you were ready to flee the room.”
“You just took me by, er, surprise. A perfectly understandable response to a . . . er, surprising suggestion.”
When she winced at her bumbling response, his mouth twitched.
“If you laugh, I swear I’ll run you through with my blade,” she threatened.
He put up his hands. “I wouldn’t dare.”
She silently fumed at him because, really, she didn’t know what else to do.
“Is it safe to sit down?” he finally asked.
“I suppose you’d better. If you’re serious about this ridiculous proposal—”
“As I said, I am serious.”
“Then we’d best discuss why it’s ridiculous. Like two rational adults would.”
He resumed his seat but leaned forward, propping his forearms on his thighs and frowning down at the floor, as if suddenly lost in thought.
Samantha poked him in the shoulder. “Well?”
He cut her a sideways glance. “It’s not ridiculous at all, because our marriage could solve a number of serious problems.”
