“I would think it quite obvious.”
And with that comment, Ashley was quiet. Did he really mean they would be together? And if she agreed, it would mean she truly had accepted staying. Giving up her life in the city, her job, and her five-year plan. She looked at the man riding beside her. He was good, strong, everything she could’ve ever wished for. Had he been in her own time, she wouldn’t have thought twice. And then she knew: this whole time, nothing had felt like work. While her relationship with Ben had been hard and she was always thinking about it and how difficult she found it, with Christian everything came easy. They belonged together.
He stopped before they crossed the bridge. Dismounted. There was a charge in the air as Christian stalked toward her. He lifted her off the horse so slowly it was agonizing, set her on the ground, but didn’t let her go.
When he bent his head to hers, her breath caught. He touched a finger to her lips, tracing the outline, then pressed his lips to her temple, hair, cheek, and finally, when she couldn’t stand itanother second, he tasted her, nibbling as she groaned deep in her throat.
Every cell hummed, tuned to him, as energy crackled and flowed from her into him. Ashley wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back, tasting mint and wine. The smell of him enveloped her, holding her close, and she felt like she’d crested the first hill on a roller coaster and was hurtling down the track. He was steel and satin as she surrendered.
“Pardon, my lord?”
Ashley jumped back with a yelp as Christian snarled and drew his sword. The guard looked sheepish.
“We were returning from night patrol and did not wish to disturb you, my lord. But the men are tired.”
Mortified, Ashley recognized several faces of the guard.
Christian chuckled and swung her up on the horse in front of him.
“See to my lady’s horse.”
Over the next few days,Christian was never far away. He took her for rides, made sure she had met all the villagers, and even tried to jump rope. Medieval wooing was pretty spectacular.
She had finished her lesson for the day, proud of her students. They knew their ABCs and were working on bigger words. Yesterday she’d seenbloody hellwritten in the dirt and laughed, wondering who was responsible. Christian thought it was one of the girls.
A commotion outside made her look out the window. One after another, six carriages pulled into the courtyard. Finally she would meet his brothers and James and William. Though she was most looking forward to meeting their wives, as Christian had been uncharacteristically quiet about them.
“Ashley. Come. Meet my family.” Christian practically draggedher outside. She couldn’t help it—her mouth fell open. It was like a fashion shoot. The men all looked like models, and the women…they were pretty…but something about them… There were children and tons of luggage. It was total chaos.
“This must be your betrothed.” A man with blue eyes and a rakish smile embraced her.
“Dolt. This is Ashley Bennet.”
A woman stormed over, followed by a man with black hair and a terrible scar.
“Christian Thornton, you’ve gone and lost your sixth fiancée? Hell’s bells, I’m not finding you a seventh.”
The man, who must be her husband, put a hand on the woman’s arm as he stared at Ashley. “My love, I believe Mistress Bennett may be the one.”
“Whatever.” The striking redhead smiled. “It’s nice to meet you. Sorry, it’s just all we’ve heard is how this one wants to be married and we worked so hard to find this girl. Did you off her or something?”
It all tumbled into place at once. Christian being evasive. The women in front of her and the way they talked. The people in front of her went wonky. No, she was not going to faint. Instead, she narrowed her eyes and punched Christian in the arm.
“How could you?”
Then she faced the women. “You’re like me, all of you.”
Everyone started talking at once.
“Ashley, wait.”Christian ran after her. Why had he not told her the truth?Dolt, you didn’t want her to go. Now you have likely lost her.
She stomped into the stables, startling the horses.
“I should have told you about them. In truth, I was going to…”
“When? After you were happily married to Helen?”
“Nay.” He held out his hands. “I do not know. All I know is I did not want you to leave me.”
