“Because Charlie told me what you’ve believed. When I saw you alone, I couldn’t bear the thought of you being unprotected or that you would go another night not knowing the truth. This is a festive time of year, yet I no longer enjoy the holiday since the only gift I give myself is a broken heart year after year. I’ve been so oblivious to your belief because I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman than you. It pains me that you’ve spent all these years believing I didn’t pursue you for something so superficial as your skin. You are kindhearted, generous, funny, intelligent, possess a wickedly sharp sense of humor, and your smile makes my belly quiver.” Ben snapped his mouth shut. He hadn’t meant to admit that last observation.
Jemma ran her hands over his pectorals before linking her arms around his neck again. “There is much about you that makes my belly quiver. You’re brave, daring, funny, determined, loyal, and I enjoy seeing you with your father and brother. You and Steven appear so much alike and yet are so different. But I get the sense you are also very close.”
“We are. I never knew you thought those things about me. I was certain you disliked me.” Jemma’s revelation overwhelmed Ben. Relief coursed through him, and perhaps Father Christmas was granting his holiday wish after all.
“But why would I?” Jemma wondered. “What did I do to make you think that?”
“Never forgave me for giving you the cut direct.”
“That hurts still whenever I think about it. I stayed away because I feared that rejection again. I couldn’t face it.”
“What a mess I’ve made.” Ben spoke more to himself than aloud. His sea-foam orbs locked with her onyx ones. “Can you forgive me?”
“I did before you kissed me.”
“Can I make up for all our lost time? Will you let me court you?”
Jemma nodded. “I hope you are as decisive about me as you are when you negotiate with my father.”
Ben’s eyebrows shot to his hairline, practically disappearing beneath his curls. “Does that mean you’ve already decided about me and what you want?” Jemma nodded. “What do you want, sweetling?”
“You,” Jemma mouthed. Ben’s lips captured hers once more. The kiss combusted, making their first one pale in comparison. The arm still around her waist slid lower, his hand resting just above her backside. She drew her hands down over his ribs and up around his back, hooking them beneath his arms. Held so tightly against him, there was no way she didn’t feel his arousal. She tilted her hips forward, wanting more contact. Dew moistened the inside of her thighs as she shifted, rubbing them together hoping she could ease the ache taking root in her core.
“How long will your father make me court you before I can ask?”
“Ask tomorrow if you wish. He knows what I want.”
“Are you certain we suit?”
“I think so. Do you have doubts?”
“No.” How could he hold doubts about the one thing he’d prayed over for years? “Jemma, your father may know what you want, but would he accept me?”
“Yes. Ben, he respects you and appreciates your dedication and bravery. He knows your honorable, even if he thought you didn’t want a woman like me as your wife.”
Ben loathed hearing those words: a woman like me. He realized his sister was not only right, but the damage he’d done as an immature lad could have jeopardized his family’s entire enterprise if Theo had taken offense.
“How could any man not want someone so charming, intelligent, and often-times saucy? That’s the woman you are, and the only way I’ve ever seen you.”
The wind whipped through the trees, whistling and making them both shiver. Jemma huddled against Ben, once more soaking up the heat he exuded. He was glad to hold her, even if he feared she grew too chilled.
“It’s freezing, Ben, but I don’t want to move. Why couldn’t we have made amends over the summer?” Jemma tucked her nose into a fold on his double-breasted tailcoat. His responding chuckle made his chest rumble.
“We need to get you out of the wind. You don’t have nearly enough layers on.”
“I should have retrieved my cloak, but I didn’t think there was time. I knew the excisemen would detain my father, and he’d worry about me if I was trapped among the crowd. My brothers and I know to go home, so Father can remain undistracted when they question him.” Jemma looked around, wondering why her brothers hadn’t crossed their path yet.
Ben stepped back, and Jemma immediately wrapped her arms around her waist, twisting to put her back to the cutting wind off the sea. He hurried to unbutton his coat and shrug outof it. He wrapped it around Jemma, holding it in place as she slid her arms into the sleeves.
“Let’s circle around the hall and see if it’s safe to return. We can fetch your cloak, then I’ll escort you home. If it’s not, you can wear my coat until we arrive at your manor.”
“You’ll perish in this temperature.” Jemma didn’t approve of Ben’s chivalry if it risked his life. Her impetuous flight now endangered Ben’s health and hers.
“Come. We’ll see what’s afoot. We’ll decide once we know.”
“Don’t you need to check your cart? What if they’ve discovered what you hid?”
“I’m not going near the stables until I’m certain you’re safe. I won’t lead you to those men.” Ben knew his strength and his skill with a sword. But he’d seen a dozen men flood the gathering. He’d struggle to protect them both on his own. Avoiding anywhere the government representatives could corner them was crucial if he wished to see Jemma home unscathed. He wrapped his arm around her back and drew her against his side as they walked back the way they came. The sight that greeted them was anything but merry.
