“Dorset, you have not slept properly for days.” His eyes were focused over her shoulder.
They’d not spoken since their encounter on the cliffs. It was good they were now, and perhaps one day they could even be friends if he came back to see Gus.
Hep chose that moment to stand on his hind legs and put his paws on Ash’s leg.
“I wondered where he’d gone.” Ash bent to pat the dog. “It’s like he’s human.”
“He found Wolf and has been with him ever since. Occasionally he knows when someone in the family needs him and visits them, but he loves Wolf best.”
“His beauty is on the inside,” Ash said.
Dorrie laughed. “True.”
His eyes found hers again.
“I will go back now.” He didn’t move.
“Let me dress, and I will make you tea.”
“I don’t want tea. I want you, and I can’t have you,” he rasped.
Shock held her silent for long seconds.
“Wh-Why can’t you have me?”
“Don’t be a fool, Dorrie. I am not the man for someone as sweet as you. I can offer nothing. Just because I carry the blood of a Raven does not mean I am destined for you.”
He’d said the words to put distance between them.
“I want you too,” she said, ignoring the rest of his words. “And I am no fool.”
His eyes closed, and when they opened there was a fire in them.
“Rarely do we get what we want.”
“I know.” She touched his cheek. “But I am also a woman who has seen too much death and come to the realization that life can be cut off before it has been lived.”
“Your life will be lived to the fullest with the man you will one day love. There can never be anything between us.”
“Because you are not good enough for me and will leave England?” Her heart ached for him.
He nodded. She stepped closer.
“I don’t believe you are not good enough.” She kissed his lips. “I believe you are worthy of life.”Worthy of my love.
His hands grabbed her wrists, holding her away from him. “Even if I took your innocence, I would not stay. I am not a good man, Dorset. I am not good for you.”
“I don’t believe the man who has worked as you have for the last few days, in a town full of people you owe nothing to, is as bad as you say.” She shook his hand off and touched his cheek again.
“You don’t know me,” he said slowly.
“As you don’t know me. I don’t want to wait for marriage anymore to find out what can be between a man and a woman. I could die tomorrow.”
“You’re not dying!”
“But I could. I cheated death once; I may not a second time. I have no wish to die a virgin. As a woman who knows nothing of a man’s touch. I want your touch, Ash.”
“You will not die,” he growled. “My hands shouldn’t even touch you. I won’t disrespect you or your family like that.”
