“A senseless fire. And now, they are not just gone, they are… dead. They haven’t traveled to the continent—nor are they languishing in some opium den. They’re…” He frowned. “They’re dead.” The words were little more than a whisper.
Goldie approached him cautiously and, steeling herself, reached out to touch his arm. “You couldn’t save them. Not if they didn’t want saving. Oh, Reed…”
“I should miss them. I should be devastated. But instead, I’m… I’m Standish now!” He rose, and the pain in his eyes was almost too much for Goldie to bear. “I’m the fucking Earl of Standish.”
In that instant, Goldie knew she’d been right. In the weeks following the fire, he’d not allowed himself to grieve properly. But worse than that, Reed didn’t believe he deserved to be the earl.
He had been happy in the church, but then decided that he didn’t deserve her.
He didn’t believe he deserved to be happy.
“Yes. You are Standish now,” she said. “And you’ll bring honor to your family’s title.”
His arm trembled beneath her hand.
In an unexpected burst, he tore himself away from her and, lifting the axe in the air, threw it with such force that the blade sunk at least an inch into the exterior of the gardener’s hut.
“Reed,” Goldie grabbed hold of his arm again. “I’m so sorry.”
He did not resist her, so she stepped closer and slid her hand up his other arm.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” she chanted as he began to shake.
This time he did not push her away.
He slid his hands down and around her waist and buried his face in her neck. “You don’t deserve to be chained to a man like me. I’m… I was raised to manage estates, not rule them. You’re the daughter of a duke, and I used you—”
“You didn’t use me,” Goldie cut him off, comforting him with all her might, and yet, still, she couldn’t stop his shaking.
“I wasn’t fair to you.’
“I came here on my own. It was my decision. Because… Oh, Reed! I like the man who manages estates.”
“You shouldn’t.” He pulled her closer.
“But I do!”
And as though her words broke some wicked spell, he claimed her mouth, losing himself in her kiss like a man who’d just discovered a reason to live.
And the shaking stopped.
Together
This woman possessed magic. Her words brought relief, but it was her embrace that removed the weight from his chest. She’d reignited that sliver of hope he’d thought extinguished forever.
“My sunshine.” Reed plundered her sweet mouth with his, half out of his mind with wanting her. How had she gotten under his skin like this?
“I’m sorry,” he breathed and a tremor ran through him.
Her arms tightened around him.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an earl or a merchant or a king,” she murmured against his mouth. “I wanted to marry you.” Her words struck the heart of his desires from all directions.
“And I wanted you.” He stared down at her in wonder. She was his bride!
It was time he made her his wife.
He lifted her into his arms and delighted in her surprised squeal.
