He sighed, reining in Thunder in front of the stables. A groom poked his head out the doorway and waited politely, ready totake the horse. Callum didn’t much enjoy being watched. He swung down from the saddle and lifted Melody down after him. When she moved, he caught a whiff of that fragrance again, smoke and crushed grass. A strangely heady scent.
Her hands rested briefly on his upper arms, steadying herself as he lifted her down. He could still feel the sensation of her fingertips.
Then the moment was over. She was safely back down on her feet, and he turned back to Thunder. He expected her to make a dash back to the main part of the keep, perhaps with a mumbled, uncomfortable goodbye.
He should have known better, really.
Instead, Melody trotted around to stand near Thunder’s head, just about forcing him to look at her.
“I am not afraid of you,” she stated clearly, meeting his eye and holding it. “But there is not much trust between us, I think. If we are going to be married…”
“Perhaps,” Callum corrected. “We areperhapsgoin’ to be married.”
“…then we must be more comfortable with each other,” Melody plowed on determinedly. “I think we should spend time together every day.”
“Och, lord give me strength.”
“One hour! That is all I’m asking of you, one single hour. What do you say?”
He stared down into her face, turned earnestly and hopefully up toward him. Something tightened in his chest, a sort of longing that was entirely separate from the desire he’d felt earlier.
Be careful,echoed a warning voice at the back of his head.Have ye any idea how deeply ye are in this mess already? Have ye any idea how dangerous this could be?
The sensible thing would be to kindly let her down. He should explain to her that there was no way he could spend a whole hour of his day on her, and even if hecould, would it be wise? Of course not!
There’ll be nay marriage at the end of this,Callum thought, a lump forming in his throat. Only a fool would believe otherwise.
Unfortunately, I am somethin’ of a fool meself.
“And what would we do with this hour?” he heard himself say. “Drink tea?”
“Well, I came to paint your portrait, didn’t I? So, I’ll do that. It will help us both decide whether we’ll be a good match after all. I have to get a picture of you to match that awful sketch. It’s been a while since I painted properly.”
He stared down at her for a long minute. She returned his gaze earnestly. Her hand rested gently on Thunder’s shoulder, almost absently stroking the silky hair there.
When did her fear recede? Is it just Thunder she’s nay longer afraid of?
He didn’t have the answer to that, and surely it didn’t matter.
“Very well,” Callum managed. It was, of course, a horrible mistake. Once he’d given his word, he wouldhaveto find an hour of time during his day. They would have to spend that time together.
There was no other solution.
There is only one way this story ends, and it is not a happy one.
Melody brightened. “Really?”
“Aye, really,” he sighed, turning away and gesturing for the groom to collect Thunder. “Ye should change out of that muddy gown. I’ll give ye half an hour, then meet me in the tower.”
She blinked. “What, now? Tonight?”
He threw a wry smile over his shoulder at her.
“Aye, now. There’s nay time like the present, eh? I’ll see ye soon, me beloved bride-to-be.”
19
Back in London, even contemplating such an invitation would see me ruined,Melody thought nervously, eyeing her own reflection. She had changed into an ordinary wool dress, a plain dark yellow one. A few pieces of paper and a single pencil waited on a table behind her.
