A little blush rose on her cheeks, but she managed a smile. “Well, now you come to mention it, yes. Actually, I’m quite comfortable as well.”
“That’s my girl.”
She blinked. “I’ve never been anybody’s ‘girl’...”
“You are now, Thea. You are now.”
Chapter Thirteen
Dorothea was rather stunned at how comfortably she settled into Silas’s lap.
Yes, his thighs were hard and muscular, but even so, she seemed very comfortable, cushioned by her skirts and petticoat, grubby though they were.
She fidgeted. “I should change, Silas. I’m really filthy.”
“I’m used to it. You may have noticed I’m not the cleanest rag in the basket myself.”
She chuckled at his words. “Well, I suppose we’re indicative of a good solid day’s work in the Forge.”
“True.”
He settled his arm around her shoulder, and she found herself resting her head against him. “This is...nice.”
“Isn’t it?”
“And unexpected.” She sighed. “I never envisioned myself doing anything like this.”
“Sitting on a man’s lap or working in the Forge?”
“Both.”
“And how are you feeling now that you’ve done two brand new things in the space of one day?”
Dorothea laughed. “Tired.”
He chuckled too, his chest rumbling near her ear. “I haven’t asked, Thea. I hoped you might tell me. But it’s obvious that you have secrets, dear girl. One look at you and anyone can see you’re not Forge born and bred.”
“It’s that obvious?”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “Coggleblast it. And I was just starting to feel at home here.”
“I do not mean to toss you out on your ear, my sweet. I’m not that foolish. But I would be very honoured if you would consider sharing your secrets with me.” He paused. “I would dearly love to know how a Renslow arrived at my Forge in time to prevent a major disaster.”
Dorothea froze. “You...you know?”
“I know you’re a Renslow, darling girl. Only family members carry a steampass engraved with that particular seal.”
Her mind whirled. “That damn PCE... I never thought...”
She made to move, but he held her fast. “No way am I letting you go, Thea, so you can forget about running away from me. I will find you. I will always find you.”
“You will?”
Instead of answering, he slipped his free hand to her face, and pulled her near, kissing her gently at first, and then with more passion and heat than she could ever have imagined.
Finally, he drew back. “There. Does that answer your question?”
