Page 85 of Prisoner of My Desire

“Nay, but if you ever send me to your dungeon again—”

“I no longer have one. ’Twas torn down after you came here to Tures.”

“Why did you do that?” she asked in surprise.

“’Twas an unbearable reminder of what I had done.”

“But you had reason, Warrick. Even I can—”

“Do not make excuses for me, wench—or have you so soon forgotten the words you threw back at me?”

He was serious, but there was self-mockery there, too. “Very well, suffer a little longer if you must. But ’twas a waste of a good dungeon do you ask me.”

Her sigh made him chuckle. “Mayhap I did act too hastily. I can always have it excavated again.”

“You had better not, my lord,” she warned with mock fierceness.

“Then if I ever find the need to lock you in my solar again—I will be sure to be locked in with you.”

“NowthatI will not object to.”

“So you are still a brazen wench?”

“You do not mind my brazenness.”

“Nay, I do not.”

“And you love me.”

“All right, I love you.”

“Do not say it as if you are indulging me. You do love me, Warrick. How can you not when I—”

“Idolove you, wench.”

That sounded much better, so much better she drew him down for another kiss, then the soft whisper, “I am glad ’twas you, Warrick. So glad.”

He remembered those words, spoken so long ago, and admitted finally, “So am I, my lady. So, too, am I.”