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He offered her his lop-sided grin. “You are beginning to sound like Otterburn.”
“Still, ’tis true.”
“I know enough. I know you to be warm and compassionate. You aided my sister when she needed it, heedless of the impact her recovery would have on your own prospects. You are courageous. You are intelligent, and competent, and will make a fine countess. You are beautiful, too…”
“I am not beautiful. I am merely…pleasant.”
He shook his head. “You are much more than pleasant. You are so lovely that you take my breath away. I have not ceased thinking of you since our encounter last night.”
“Lord Robert…”
“Robbie,” he corrected her. “Those close to me call me Robbie.”
She peered up at him, searching his face for the truth. “Do you mean it, Robbie? Truly? Or, are you merely saying these pretty words to allay my fears?”
“You said that you could learn to trust me. That starts here. I will not lie to you.”
She nodded. “I apologise. I did not intend—”
He halted her apology with a kiss. His lips slanted across hers. His tongue traced her mouth, probing for entry.
She reached up to grip his shoulders, then parted her lips.
She was sweet to taste, her mouth soft, warm, inviting. Robbie’s cock swelled. He wrapped his arms around her and took a step forward, edging her back against the outer wall of the bailey. His fingers were in her hair, threatening to dislodge the neat plait concealed beneath the hood of her cloak.
“My lord, we should not…”
Reluctantly, he was forced to concede that she was probably right. He released her and took a step back.
“Soon,” he murmured, once again taking her hand and kissing her fingers. “In a month.”
“Yes. A month… We should be getting back.” She peered over his shoulder. “People will see us…”
Robbie was not unduly troubled by that prospect, but he offered her his arm, and they began to stroll back in the direction of the keep. He had one more question for her.
“Whilst we are on the subject of motives, there was something puzzling me, my lady.”
“Oh?”
“Why did you agree? To the marriage?”
“You did not expect me to?”
“Frankly, no. I hoped to persuade you of the merits of my case and failing that I would have been forced to consider more direct means.”
“Direct means? Whatever do you mean?”
“Otterburn is not the only one capable of abducting a female and seducing her, Kat.”
“You would not!” She halted and glared at him, wide-eyed.
“No, since it will not prove necessary. But you have not answered my question. Why did you agree?”
“You can offer me a home. And the opportunity to have a family of my own.”
“Is that it?”
“Yes. What else might there be?”
