“Only if you think I’d hand you over to a withered old goat or an Englishman calledDudding.”
“But you won’t.” Ophelia slid her arms around his neck. “You want me for yourself. I knew that at Stony Bay, perhaps even earlier, on SamhainEve.”
“Is that so?” He kept on, striding down the street. “We shall discuss that at GannetHouse.”
“Are you not going to put medown?”
“What?” He glanced at her, one brow arcing. “And risk you running offagain?”
“I won’t.” Ophelia leaned into him, holding tight. “Not thistime.”
“Even so…” He slid a surprised look at Aunt Sarah as she nipped around them to stand in the middle of Flourmill Lane. “I may just carry you all the way toTullie.”
Aunt Sarah laughed. “I always said Highlanders were thickheaded.” She glanced at Ophelia. “I might pity you, my dear, if he is always sodifficult.”
“Pity?” Greyson shifted her in his arms. “I would’ve thought you’d be screaming by now, calling forhelp.”
“Why ever should I do that?” Aunt Sarah smiled as she retreated from the road. “It was you who didn’t listen back in my parlor,” she said, beaming at them. “I did listen – just as I have listened to Ophelia ever since Samhain Eve. I told you I heard you, but you misunderstood, didn’tyou?”
“So I did, by all the hounds!” Greyson grinned. “You weren’t listening with your ears, wereyou?”
“No, I wasn’t.” Aunt Sarah rested her hands on her hips, her eyes glistening. “I heard you with myheart.”
“Then all is well, my lady, for I am now acting onmine.”
The assurance given, he nodded once and then continued down the road, Ophelia held secure in his arms. And if the truth were known, she’d never felt safer – or happier. She also knew that her aunt wasn’t a reckless woman. And that her uncle wouldn’t stand for a true kidnapping. They had given their blessing, and they would have good reason to doso.
Ophelia didn’t know how that had happened, but she did sense they approved thematch.
And so did she, though she’d feel even happier if Greyson Merricktrulywanted her. Stubborn as he seemed, he might not easily admit hisfeelings.
But then he stopped beneath a just-lit street lantern and lowered his head to kiss her. Not a brow-kiss this time, but a proper kiss. Hard, deep, and bone-jellying. And when at last he broke away, Ophelia didn’t have anydoubts.
All that remained was for him to make good his promise and marry her. She’d take care of the rest. For even if he’d just played an ancient Highland warrior or knight in shining armor, sparing her from years at the side of an aged husband or –dear heavens- a lifetime as a Dudding, she sensed thetruth.
Greyson Merrick was the one in need ofrescuing.
And she was the woman to savehim.
She’d begin thatnight.
