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“I wonder how it is they get away with such things.”
“People love the color and are willing to do what they must to wear it. My mother only knew of the matter because a friend of hers broke out in great big welts from wearing green gloves.” Ivy sighed. “Women have long been dying or harming themselves in the name of beauty. I have certainly been guilty of having my stays laced far too tightly and nearly fainting.”
Cillian skimmed a hand over her waist. The thought of him touching her soft belly would have made her wince once but with the way he looked at her, the way he made her feel, she could only sink into his touch.
“Never do such a thing again.”
“Never,” she agreed.
“So you will continue to investigate what happened to Mary, I suppose.”
“I can hardly leave the matter. Everyone deserves to know what happened.” She put both hands to his face, savoring the roughness of his stubble. How was it this man was all hers? How was it she had found him, and he had found her? They were so alike yet separated by age and experience and somehow that made them perfect for one another.
“You are a determined woman, Ivy. I cannot fault you for that.”
“It is a sad tale really. Mr. Marshall thought he was gifting something wonderful to his fiancée. It makes me angry at the companies who produce such dyes and tell us it is safe.”
“We shall have to do our best to ensure justice prevails. I do not think Marshall will be able to do anything in his state.”
“He has paid dearly for his actions, but love drove him crazy.”
A slight smile touched his lips as he gazed down at her. “I can understand that.”
“That love can drive you crazy?”
His smile cracked across his face making him more handsome than she ever thought possible.
“Yes, sweeting,” he said. “Love.”
***
“Love?” Ivy repeated.
He loved how her eyes shone with wonder. How her lips began to curve. How her whole body softened into his. He loved her mind and her compassion for all those in need.
“Love,” he confirmed.
“As in…you love me.”
“How could I not?” His heart picked up its pace when the room remained silent. There was no chance he was feeling this alone surely? There was no way this woman would be so determined to dig into his past if she did not feel something for him? He’d been wrong in the past but now—
“I never expected such a thing,” she breathed.
“Nor I.”
“When you came to my rescue…”
“I only wanted to protect you. To make certain history did not repeat itself.”
“History?”
“I always feared I failed Mary. That somehow, I could have protected her better,” he explained. “Of course, I realize now that would have been impossible.”
“So you wanted to protect me.”
“Indeed.”
Ivy laid her palms flat upon his chest and he swore his heart stretched out to beat hard against her palm as if to remind her it was hers.
