“Bram,” she sighed.
“The minute I saw you, I felt different, Ivy. I’ve never felt like that before.”
She wanted to believe him.
“If my arrow hits closest to the target, you give me a chance to show you what is in my heart.”
“You will walk away if I win?”
His hands dropped from her face, and he stepped back. “If that is your wish.”
Ivy swallowed to ease the sudden tightness in her throat.
“Ladies first,” he said in a cool voice.
Was she willing to walk away from this man if she won? Could she? Did he really care for her?
“Remember that when you were in that room with Haldane, it was I who arrived. I who made sure no one found you had been compromised, Ivy. I was there for you even then as I wish to always be there for you from this day forth.”
“I know. Thank you for what you did that night.”
“I don’t want your thanks,” he snapped.
Ivy didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know how to grab what she wanted. How could she when she’d always believed love wasn’t for her. That she would die a spinster.
“Shoot, Ivy.”
She raised her arrow and aimed. The thwack confirmed it had hit the target.
Bram did the same, and then without looking at her, he walked. Ivy hurried to follow. When she reached him, he was studying the target. She knew what he saw. They had both tried to miss.
“You won,” he said in a hollow voice.
“I tried not to,” she whispered.
“A bet is a bet.” He walked away from her.
She watched him, her chest tight, head spinning.
“No!”
He stopped at her cry but did not turn.
“I don’t want you to leave me!” Ivy was running when he turned. His arms caught her as she launched herself at him. “Don’t leave me, Bram.”
“Never,” he whispered.“I love you.”
CHAPTER14
He watched Ivy as she prepared to shoot. Watched that lovely body move beneath her hideous gray dress. Last night she’d told him she was having an entire new wardrobe made when she returned to London. Bram had nearly said he’d pay for it to ensure it was the very best, but he’d swallowed the words down. His Ivy was independent.
They would have a future together; both of them knew that now. He would court her as was proper once they returned to London, and then he would approach her uncle. But for now, he would watch her win.
“You look a great deal happier today than you did last night, Bramstone. Care to tell me why?”
“It is a lovely day, and I am enjoying the company, Pansy.”
She made a humming sound.
