It was a heartfelt plea such as she had never made before. Esme’s pulse pounded painfully as she waited for his response. When he gently placed his hand over hers, she exhaled with relief.
“Tell me your story, please, Esme.”
She turned her palm, so their fingers interlocked. The world around her grew steady and calm once more. She took a breath.
“It seemed as if every man in England was wrangling for my hand. Not for want ofme, you understand? But in pursuit of my father’s coin and patronage.” At Adam’s nod, she continued. “My parents threw a ball at which it was hoped I would choose a suitor. Crispin did not even turn up.” She screwed up the handkerchief in exasperation. “Forsooth, that very night he planned to ride away from Wolvesley. I found him in his horse’s stable, ready to leave.” Her words dried up as shame rose within her.
“And then?” Adam prompted calmly.
“I did the only thing I could think of to get him to stay.”
He was shocked. She could tell as much from his sharp intake of breath. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried to explain. “I kissed him, freely. I permitted things to go further. Though I did not quite think they would go as far as they did. But nor did I ask him to stop,” she added quickly, when she saw he was about to speak. “Nor did I protest.”
It is important to be honest.
Adam looked down at their cojoined hands. “And then he asked you to marry him?”
She cast back her mind to that fateful night, but the details were unclear. “He gave me a ring.”
“I see.” Adam breathed heavily.
“A ring made of straw.” A wave of heat rushed through her. “And then he left.”
“Oh, Esme.” Adam tightened his grip on her hand. “You deserve so much more than a ring made of straw.”
She made a strangled sound, somewhere between a sob and a burst of laughter. “I would not care what any ring was made of, so long as it was given to me by someone who truly loved me.”
Adam waited—and the room waited—for her to say the most important words.
“I know now that Crispin did not truly love me. Moreover, I have come to realize that I did not love him,” Esme quavered. Yet she ploughed on, knowing she might never get this chance again. “I know all of this, because I have learned something of true love since coming to Ember Hall.”
Adam’s response was to shift on the bed, so he faced her. With his free hand, he lovingly stroked back her hair.
“Because of you,” she whispered.
The smile he bestowed upon her was like dawn breaking after the darkest night.
“I have also learned something of love in these last days.” He squeezed her hand. “Because of you.”
Hope flared in her chest. “But you cannot still feel that way. Not now you know the truth about me.”
Adam’s gaze did not falter. “If you think that, then you underestimate the depths of my feelings for you, Esme.” He put a gentle finger to her lips when she went to speak. “You are the same bold and beautiful woman I fell in love with. Naught has changed. Save the fury I feel toward the knave who so dishonored you.”
She placed her palm on his stubbled cheek, her breath catching in her throat as he leaned into her touch. “Let us not speak again of Crispin. He has stolen enough from us, this night.”
His kiss was sweet and gentle, and it unfurled all the emotions bound inside her so she feared her heart may crack open. She looped her arms around his shoulders and felt anchored.
Home.
They sat close together, arms wrapped around one another and their hearts beating to the same rhythm. Esme felt tensionlifting from her body, until the urge to close her eyes became undeniable.
Adam’s lips skimmed the top of her head. “I should leave you to sleep.”
“Nay.” She tugged at his shirt, keeping him beside her. “Stay with me.”
“I cannot.” His face was serious.
“I feel safe with you here. All I want is to lay beside you and rest.”
