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“You won’t?”
He shook his head.
“Because of your sister?”
His jaw tightened. “The devil take it,” he said. “I’m not being very clear.”
“Perhaps you should try again.” The man was being positively obtuse. Why must she drag his thoughts from him?
“When I thought I was taking my sister back to England, it was my intention to return to Egypt as soon as Fiona was settled.”
“It was?” Helen’s heart lifted, and she pulled on it lest it float away. “But of course, I imagine you must return for your railway venture.”
They’d reached a stand of palm trees, and he pulled her into the shadows. “Foryou. I intended to return for you, if you’ll have me.”
Helen’s heart broke its tether to soar high above the palms.
“Miss Corbyn,” he said, taking her gloved hands. His broad palms engulfed her smaller ones, and she reveled in the feel of his warmth through the thin silk of her gloves.
“Helen,” she corrected. “I like it when you call me Helen.”
“Helen. You’ve captured my heart with your intelligence and beauty, your strength and bravery. You certainly deserve better than me. My past isn’t sterling. I’ve done things I’m not proud of—”
She pulled one hand from his to place two fingers on his lips. “I know about your father,” she said, “and your career as a lock-pick. But I also know the man you are today. You are the man who has my heart.”
“As you have mine,” he whispered.
Helen moved her hand to place it tentatively on his chest near his heart. He covered it with his own as she said, “Thisis proof of a grander plan than any of us can conceive. For how else could I have found you in all the vastness of the world? Why would you have left your bag at the precise moment I left theTamarisk, if not for our hearts to find one another?”
“I’m coming around to this grand plan of yours. To be sure, there was something wonderful at work to bring you to me when I desperately needed hope.” He swallowed and continued. “Miss Helen Corbyn, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Rhys’s hand pressed hers a little more tightly as he awaited her reply.
His words squeezed at her heart until she thought it would burst. She could hardly believe her good fortune. She’d set out for adventure and found love along the way in this charming, intelligent, and infuriating man. “Yes,” she replied, laughing. “Yes!”
He grinned, and she was grateful for the shelter of the palms as he took a step closer. He reached a hand up to cup her cheek, his thumb gently stroking as the silver of his eyes caught the moonlight. He leaned down with excruciating slowness to take her lips with his.
Helen’s eyes fluttered closed, and she responded to the pressure of his mouth on hers. She lifted her hands to tangle her fingers in the silky hair at his nape, leaning into his touch, relishing the sensation of his rough whiskers as his lips moved over hers in a kiss that was both sweet and fierce. A kiss that conveyed all the love and tenderness, hopes and desires they held for one another.
He lowered his hand to her waist, searing her with the heat of his palm through the layers of silk and muslin. She inhaled, reveling in the sandalwood scent of him mingled with the intoxicating jasmine that surrounded them.
After a much-too-brief kiss, Rhys pulled away and brushed a gentle thumb across Helen’s bottom lip. “My love,” he whispered hoarsely, “Ana lak.”
Helen beamed at his near-perfect pronunciation. “And I am yours.”
“Now,effendi?” a small voice whispered from the shelter of the palms. Helen started, pulling back from Rhys’s embrace. It was the boy from earlier, eagerly awaiting Rhys’s reply.
Rhys grinned, and Helen’s stomach somersaulted to know she’d have the rest of their life together to enjoy such a sight. “Now,” he said.
The boy spun and ran off, shouting in Arabic. “Effendisays to do it now!”
“What was that about?” Helen asked, laughing.
“You shall see.” Rhys dipped his head and kissed her jaw where it met her ear, trailing more soft kisses along her temple.
The boy was soon forgotten. Indeed, Helen forgot her name until a thunderous explosion sounded overhead. She jumped and looked up, startled to see a fiery blossom lighting the sky. “Fireworks!” she exclaimed, and similar expressions of awe could be heard from the nearby veranda.
More explosions soon created a fiery kaleidoscope overhead. Crimson, gold and blue cascaded across the night sky, illuminating the exotic Egyptian landscape. With the energy of a thousand fireflies, luminous trails streaked the heavens, and Helen’s smile stretched her cheeks.
She turned to Rhys to see the lights reflected in his silver eyes. “Was this your doing?” she asked in disbelief.
