It was some moments before he spoke. ‘Thank you,’ he said gruffly.
‘What for?’
‘For not patronising me. Or claiming that you know somebody who had gone through something similar. I’ve had that a couple of times. People rattling on as if they had any idea what I was feeling.’
‘They doubtless did it to minimize and normalise what you’ve gone through, without ever considering what an insult it would be to you.’
‘It was years before I told anyone what had happened. As you can see, it’s something I still find it hard to talk about.’
‘I expect you always will. But I’m glad you felt able to tell me.’
‘I’m glad too,’ he said quietly. He then lapsed into silence, his gaze steadfastly on the falling snow.
‘You know,’ he said at length, ‘I think those are the biggest snowflakes I’ve ever seen. No wonder it’s settling so fast.’
Noting the change of gear he’d made, Romily took her cue and wrapped her hand around his.
He slowly turned to face her. ‘You’re freezing,’ he said, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it. ‘Had we better go inside?’
She shook her head, reluctant to break the spell of the moment. ‘No, not yet.’
‘You realise, don’t you, that if we stay out here for too long the cold will make me say things that will embarrass us both?’
‘Such as?’
‘Such as you’re one of the most extraordinary and beautiful women I know, and that you’re worthy of so much more than I could ever offer you.’
‘Doesn’t the last part of that sentence depend on what you have in mind to offer me?’
‘I think you know. I think you always know what I’m about to say or do when we’re together.’
She tutted. ‘You’ll be crediting me with witchcraft skills next.’
He let go of her hand and put his arms around her. ‘Well, you’ve thoroughly bewitched me.’ He groaned. ‘Geez, forget I said that. That was real bargain basement corn.’
‘I’m beginning to think it’s your default setting.’
‘Only when I’m around you.’
‘Is that so?’ she said with a smile and tilting her head back so she could look into his eyes.
‘Good God, do you have to do that?’
‘What? What have I done?’
‘Look so bloody gorgeous.’
‘It’s the snow, it would make a warthog look gorgeous.’
He lowered his hands to encircle her waist. ‘Accept the compliment or pay the consequences.’
‘I’m intrigued to know what the consequences might be.’
‘You like to live dangerously, don’t you?’
‘Always.’
‘Okay, here goes, and don’t say I didn’t warn you. You remember the day we met?’
