The hesitation in Jared’s form and the tilt of his head let Graham know he was curious, if not cautious.
“What?” Graham said after a moment of heavy breathing.
“Um, nothing, I suppose,” Jared said, unsure. “My father was correct, then? You and Miss Sharpe are set to wed?”
“Oh, well, actually no,” Hope’s muffled voice floated up from where her face was buried in Graham’s chest, but he interrupted.
“Yes,” Graham said.
A heavy pause followed as Hope raised her head.
“Graham?” she whispered. “What are you doing?”
He peered down at her. Her face was wrought with worry. The desire to protect her was too powerful. He couldn’t deny it. He wanted Hope, all of her, just as she was and as soonas possible. If that meant caving to Belle’s plan, then so be it, because if there was one thing he knew, it was that he would be damned if he let someone else have her. An uneasy peace settled in his heart as he looked down at her. If he couldn’t stop himself from kissing her, perhaps a marriage between them was the only sensible choice.
But then he would have to tell her the truth.
He took a deep breath and brought his fingers up, grazing her cheek bone as he spoke.
“Would you have me, Hope?” he asked quietly.
Hope’s brown eyes rounded, shining with shock.
“We’re barely acquaintances.”
“I know you well enough.”
She made a face, unimpressed with his words.
“There’s really no need for this. He is your cousin. Swear him to secrecy, and there will be no harm to my reputation.”
“I have no doubt Jared could keep a secret.”
“Well, then there you have it—”
“But I won’t.” Hope stared at him, wide eyed. “The highlands may be a far more relaxed place than London, but we are not a people without morals. Now I’ve mishandled you—”
“You have not—”
“And I won’t disrespect you or your family by ignoring what must be done. I’m offering for you, Hope.”
He paused, still more than a little surprised to find himself trying to convince her, since he had been against this from the beginning. But he was not operating on logic or reason here. Graham was acting purely on instinct—and every one of his instincts was telling him that he had to have Hope.
“But … but we hardly know each other.”
He sighed deeply, oddly touched by her concern. He had already argued her points internally for weeks.
“I like you, Hope. And I think you like me, just a little bit. Don’t you?”
Words seemed to catch in her throat, for all she did was nod in reply. Still, the small acknowledgment sent an explosion of gratitude through his chest. He faced Jared once more. “Aye, we are to be married.”
Even if he hadn’t been able to see it, Graham would have heard the smile in Jared’s voice when he spoke.
“Fantastic news,” he said, nodding. “Must be something in the air tonight. If you’ll excuse me, I just, well…” He shuffled around them and Graham held Hope tighter. “I came this way to relieve myself.” Jared waved his hand behind him. “Carry on.”
Hope buried her face back into Graham’s chest and he wrapped his arms around her, afraid that she was overcome with emotion. Was she regretting saying yes? Rubbing his hands up her back, he felt a ripple go through her body. His hands moved to her shoulders and pressing her back slightly, he discovered that she was laughing.
“Hope?” His voice was hesitant.
