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He turned them sideways to fit out the door. “Shhhh. I hear your father will be home soon and I don’t want him to discover that I’ve carried you away.”
Her nose twitched. “He’ll notice when I don’t attend dinner.”
“The jackals are coming. They’ll distract him.”
“Jackals?” They made it down the stairs and started for the door.
“Lord Crestwood and his crew of delinquents,” he said, starting for the path that led down to the ocean. He’d spent the day by the water to prepare for their romantic rendezvous. To his surprise, he’d enjoyed the seaside far more than he’d ever imagined. First, the sisters had shown him a little cover carved out of the rocks, hidden from view and protected by wind. The sand was dry as a bone and Juliet had assured him the water never washed into that section.
He’d laid out blankets, set up candles, and brought down a basket of food. The sisters had helped him, chattering in their way. For the first time in his adult life the ocean signified a joining of family rather than a parting. And he’d been forced to admit, as long as he didn’t have to go in the water, watching the waves had a certain charm.
She tapped his shoulder. “Do you think we should be there? My sisters are so innocent and—”
“More innocent than you?” He leaned down and kissed her lips as he stared down the steep rocky path.
She kissed him back, her tongue meeting his in a searing kiss. “Definitely.”
When he pulled back from her lips, he rubbed his nose against hers. “I warned them that Lord Crestwood and his friends were rakes of the first order. It’s time for your sisters to take care of themselves. Just a bit.”
She parted her mouth to argue and he silenced her with another kiss. “I warned your father too. He’ll keep them safe enough.”
“How did you warn my father without revealing that you were sweeping me away to the beach?”
He chuckled. “I told him that I had to go fetch a ring.” They reached the shoreline and he started for the little alcove in the rocks. “It was a bit of a white lie. One I hope he’ll forgive me for.”
“You have a ring already or you have no intention of buying one?” she asked as he gently set her on her feet.
“Cover your eyes,” he whispered close to her ear. “And to answer your question, both. I have a ring already so I’ve no need to buy one.” He was slowly leading her toward the cove, her feet shuffling as she covered her eyes. Normally he would have carried her but he had another surprise in mind and he needed her to be standing.
Finally, he stopped just in the entrance of the cove. He was pleased to see that most of the candles had remained lit and his blankets were still spread about the sand.
“What do you need a ring for?” she asked, but he knew she understood, her fingers had begun shaking in his.
“Just give me one more moment, my love, and I will explain everything.” And then he dropped down on one knee.
Chapter Fifteen
Ophelia shifted in the sand, anticipation making it difficult to stay still. “Can I open my eyes yet?”
“Almost.”
His deep, rich voice made her shiver in excitement. This moment, right here, was everything she’d ever wanted. A handsome man had swept her away to an unknown surprise. She pressed her free hand to her cheek. “Now?”
“Now,” he answered.
She opened her eyes and the first thing she noticed was
the soft glow of light coming from the alcove in the rocks. She and her sisters had played here often as children and she’d spent many an afternoon curled in the sand with a beloved book. Now the hollowed-out rock formation was lit with… “There must be fifty candles.”
“One hundred,” Chase said softly.
His voice made her breath catch but she couldn’t look away from the scene. Blankets and pillows had been spread about in the shelter and a basket sat to one side. “Is it a picnic?”
“Yes.” He laced his fingers through hers.
“I’ve never been to a candlelight picnic before. In some ways it looks more like the fantasy I described…” Her words tapered off as she turned to look at him and realized he had dropped to one knee.
And he was holding out a box in one hand.
