“That’s a very arrogant statement.”Even if it was true.
His eyes were inches from hers, probing and demanding something from her.
“It’s hard to change what we have always been, Warwick.” They’d known each other for years but suddenly it felt like everything was happening so fast.
“Cam and Emily managed it. I’m sure we will adjust, and when we tell the family there will be no turning back.” He ran his fingers down her cheek to her neck, just above the bodice of her dress.
She shivered at his touch.
“I care about you very much, Samantha. It’s taken me a while to work that out, but now I know.”
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
“That has to be a first,” he teased her.
“I-ah.”
“I-ah?” He kissed her again.
She looked at his necktie and tried to form a rational thought. “I-I want to be your Raven, if you will be my Sinclair?”
“I would be honored to be your Sinclair. Saving you will be my life’s work.” His smile was slightly crooked, and she melted. “You need to send Blanchet on his way, Samantha. I don’t want you driving about the place with him, even if he’s your friend.”
“And you need to stop flirting with Phillipa Blake and the ladies who throw themselves at you.”
He shuddered. “I would never flirt with Phillipa Blake, and I promise not to do so with any others from this day forth.”
“Warwick,” she whispered his name against his lips. “This is terrifying.”
“Yes, it is, but let’s be terrified together.” He took her hand and placed it on his heart. “Do you feel how it beats harder, just for you, Samantha.”
“I think the family know about us, Warwick.”
“Highly likely, but for now we will torture them by not saying anything,” Warwick said. “They cannot have everything their own way.”
He kissed her knuckles before leading her to the door.
“Is this really happening?”
Of course he heard the whispered words. “Yes, it’s really happening.”
They joined their family, and she felt the looks that passed between them, but both she and Warwick ignored them.
“May I have this dance, my lady.” A gentleman had approached her.
She didn’t want to dance with anyone but Warwick but knew that was not possible. So, she took Mr. Wright’s hand and let him lead her to the dance floor.
“You’re smiling as if you have a secret that I do not know,” Dorrie said from beside her as they waited for the dance to begin.
“As if I would ever be able to keep a secret from you.” But she did have one, and soon she’d tell the twins. Her dearest friends. For now, she’d hold it close. She loved Warwick Sinclair, and he was now her Sinclair, as she was his Raven.
“I’m going to the supper room after this,” Dorrie said when the dance finished. “There are eclairs, and I want at least one before Cam eats all of them. Plus, there is something I must tell you, Samantha.”
“What?”
“Soon,” Dorrie said, but the concern on her face made Samantha tense.
When the dance finished, she moved to Dorrie’s side. “I will accompany you to supper.”
