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Firm hands caught her about the waist, and she closed her eyes as a breath shuddered from her. Mina could not face him, yet she leaned against his strength, painfully aware that she was allowing him too close. Yet, she felt as if she needed his arms around her to chase away the cold and emptiness that had lingered within her for too long.
“When was the last time you saw your parents and your sisters and brother, Mina?”
The intimate use of her name caressed against her senses. “Eight years,” she said hoarsely. “It has been eight years. I have written home often, but my letters have gone unanswered. However, when Aunt Imogen writes, there is a reply. They have not forgiven me my recklessness, and the scandal of it still lives in our village.”
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and murmured, “I am so damn sorry. I will speak with your father.”
Her heart lurched. “You will do no such thing!”
“Perhaps not tomorrow or next month,” he conceded, “but one day I will.”
Warmth slid through her veins. “You have no right or responsibility to fight my battles, my lord.” But I am thankful that you want to do so.
“And if I want that right, Mina, what then?”
Good heavens, what did he mean? As her lover? Desire brushed against her senses, and to her shock, her breasts and her most intimate valley throbbed. For a long moment, she could not speak, and the only sound echoing in her ears was her own heartbeat.
* * *
Mina turnedin the cage of Colin’s embrace and looked up at him through her lashes, a deep rosy blush staining her cheeks. She was unnaturally quiet, then she chuckled ruefully. “You really are a shameless flirt.”
Bloody hell.
He clenched his jaw against her assertions. Of course, she saw him as a damn rake and would doubt the honor of his intentions. Words would not be enough to convince this woman he was falling in love with her. Colin would slowly woo her, and then he would make an offer for her hand. If he had to marry as the old dragon claimed, he would damn well marry someone he liked and respected, someone who inspired him to dream about her, someone who, when she smiled, made him feel as if his heart took flight. He had eleven more months of her lessons and presence in his life to prove what she meant to him. And he would damn well show Mina that she had become very important to him.
“I hated that you did not dance with me tonight,” she said unexpectedly, and almost with a shyness that was unlike her. “I even hoped your toes ached and you would not be able to dance again for a while.”
“I hated it as well.” Colin took her hand and spun her wide in an elegant twirl. “Let’s dance now.”
“To what music?”
“We make our own.”
She laughed, the sound sweet and lovely. He was damn glad her eyes no longer looked shadowed by pain and regret. Her family needed a good scolding. Families did not abandon each other. Ever. He was the rock and foundation for his siblings and mother, but he also could not do without them. He would fight and die for any of them, and he could not imagine the pain Hermina had to live with, knowing her parents had cast her aside.
In love, there was always forgiveness. Her bloody father, as a clergyman, should know that more than anyone else. Colin vowed to fix it. Surely if she returned to her home as a countess, no one would dare look down at her.
“What is that fierce frown doing creasing your brow?” she asked when he drew her close, lifting a finger to touch his face.
Her caress whispered over his skin like the soft brush of a butterfly’s wing, yet he felt it down to the pit of his soul. Colin had never imagined he could feel this intensity of respect, desire, and admiration for a lady.
“My lord?” she asked as he sent her into another graceful twirl.
“Yes.”
“You never did answer me.”
“About what?”
“The reason you bid your last paramour adieu, was it because of me?” Her eyes gleamed with curiosity and knowledge.
“Yes,” he said honestly.
“You really are a rogue, aren’t you?” she said tenderly.
At this moment, absorbing into himself the very idea of only having her for a brief moment, Colin knew he wanted more with this woman.
So much more.
