He chuckled. “But you’d never pass muster in London.”
She put her hand on her hip. “Who says Iwantto pass muster in London anymore?”
He searched her gaze as if trying to decide if she were telling the truth. But why he seemed so struck by her quip, she couldn’t fathom.
“Well then,” he said finally, “shall we depart?”
He climbed into the carriage after she did and settled onto the bench with anoof.
“More comfortable than hay, hmm?” she asked.
“Oh, considering the company”—he winked—“I didn’t mind the hay.”
Her cheeks tinted. And then, just as he had the prior day, he stretched out his arm and beckoned. She couldn’t refuse—being close to him made the ride easier to bear. Being close to him madeeverythingeasier to bear.
She settled against his side as the carriage began to roll.
After everything that had happened the past few days, she had to admit that Farring had been correct. She hadn’t found anyone else to marry because she hadn’t wanted to marry anyone else. And she hadn’t wanted to marry anyone else because she only wanted Rayne. Now and forever. Always.
Even when his black hair grayed.
Even if he lost his swagger.
She slanted him a glance, trying to imagine Rayne, well,old.
He hummed as he rubbed his scruff. “I’m not sure I like your expression.”
“Just thinking.”
“I gathered. Aren’t youalwaysthinking?”
“Of course.” She raised her brows. “Aren’t you?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“What do you mean,no?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes my mind empties of thought.”
That, she couldn’t imagine. “You mean there are times you aren’t thinking anything at all? Times when you’re absolutely blank?”
“Absolutely blank. Especially when— Well, never mind.”
“When what?” She shifted.
“Don’t move away.”
“Not until you answer.”
“Will you come back if I answer?”
She nodded.
He sighed. “When I was in New York.”
Her heart sank. “Oh.”
“You said you’d come back if I answered.”
