Warwick was right. Her sister may belong to another now, but she would still be in her life. Still see each other and laugh together. There was also the investigative business. Yes, things would change, but not all of them.
“We must go down to the sea tomorrow. The children can collect shells and things,” Dorrie told her sister.
“Excellent. Sea bathing is just what I need.”
“This is not Brighton, sister dear,” Warwick drawled. “You’ll likely lose the use of your extremities if you stay in the water too long. It is frigid this time of year. The children will barely dip a toe in without shrieking.”
Somer predictably poked out her tongue.
Samantha arrived next, looking pretty in a white day dress. Simple in style, it looked lovely on her. Dorrie heard Warwick’s hiss of breath, but when she looked at him, he had a mouthful of food and no expression on his face.
“What?”
“What?” he asked her.
“You hissed.”
“I most certainly did not.” He looked offended. “Why would I hiss? Further to that, when have I ever hissed?”
“I’m sure there has been a time.” Somer joined the conversation. “We just need to think on it.”
“Well then, if you’re thinking on it, chances are you’ll never find a time, as thinking is not your strong suit.”
Somer growled.
“That will do,” Dev said.
Gus laughed.
Normal, Dorrie thought. Life was normal with a slight change, but then change was good, she told herself. Except change that included Ashford Charlton. It would be better for everyone when he left and things returned to how they always were.
CHAPTERTEN
Ash had woken disorientated and restless in a strange bed. He’d needed a walk to clear his head, so he’d taken the stairs up to the top of the castle where he knew the view of the sea would be spectacular.
The sea always calmed him. He’d found both solace and hell in the deep waters.
She’d found him there, the green-eyed little witch. The woman he owed his life to. He’d been rude to her, and that was beneath him. She’d done nothing that deserved him speaking to her the way he had. That kiss too, should not have happened. She was innocent, and he’d had no right to kiss her… again.
He could still feel the softness of her lips beneath his. Ash wasn’t sure what it was about Dorset Sinclair, but he could lose himself in her sweet innocence, and that was a dangerous thought. Because he’d been right when he’d said men like him did not touch women like her, even if they wanted to.
He’d returned to his room and dressed appropriately to face the people he’d met yesterday and to talk to his brother.
They were everything he’d once believed in and wanted. Love, commitment, and friendship. It was all part of what the people here stood for. It was there in the touch of a hand or look. The emotion in that room last night had nearly choked him.
This was not his life and never would be.
“Remember who you’ve become,” he reminded himself.
The surge of resentment and need he’d felt last night had been brief and slipped beneath the iron control he had over his emotions. To be accepted and loved unconditionally was what Gus had stepped into.
Seeing his brother had also produced emotion.
“And too much of that is not healthy for anyone,” Ash muttered.
Gus was happy, and Ash knew taking that knowledge with him when he left England would at least give him some peace. After what he must tell his brother, he would leave, and Gus would get on with his life married to the woman he loved.
Without you.
