“Sienna Denereid, will you do me the honor of becoming my fiancée for the span of one week?”
“It would be my pleasure.” He started to rise, but she pushed down on his shoulder, keeping him on the ground. He looked so serious and solemn, and she couldn’t help but tease him a little bit. “But as far as proposals go, I think you did it wrong.”
His brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
“I believe you’re supposed to say, ‘Will you marry me?’ or some variation thereof.”
“Alright?”
He tried again to rise, but she kept a hand on his shoulder and shook her head. “No. Try again. You’re the one who said you wanted to do it right.”
There.
Just the briefest flash of amusement lit his eyes, and she could see the tiniest of quirks on one side of his mouth. He sighed heavily.
“Sienna Denereid, will you marry me?”
Sienna clapped her hands together. “Yes! That’s it.”
He eyed her drily. “Can I get up now?”
“Oh! Yes to that as well.”
She reached out a hand to help him up. They stood, toe-to-toe, and Sienna had to lean her head back in order to look up at his face. “I won’t require the customary kiss to seal an engagement, but would it be acceptable for me to hug you?”
“Hug me? Why?”
“You are my fiancé,” she shrugged. “Besides, you look like you could use a hug.”
“He could!” Jem’s voice called through the window again.
She couldn’t help the laughter that escaped that time, and when Casper gave no indication of refusing, she slowly leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his middle and burying her face in his shoulder. He felt cold, and his body was stiff and uncomfortable at first, with his arms held out awkwardly to the side. As she hugged him longer, however, he slowly relaxed, first pulling his arms in to pat her shoulders, and then finally wrapping around her upper back. She could feel the moment his body relaxed into the embrace. His heartbeat under her ear slowed down to a steadier rhythm, and he dropped his chin to the top of her head.
I think Mormor was right. I think he does hide a tender heart under all that prickle.
After what felt like the right amount of time, Sienna pulled back. “Do you think we should tell them the exciting news?”
Casper gave her a wry smile and flicked his eyes to the window. “I have a feeling they already know.”
Jem’s voice sounded again. “But we will pretend to be appropriately shocked and elated just the same!”
“You will be shocked and elated to find yourself on deck swabbing duty for the next six months,” Casper shot back.
“Duly noted, Captain.”
He shook his head, but Sienna could see amusement in his eyes. He turned towards the door and held out his arm. “Shall we?”
Chapter nine
Falling
Sienna
“So let me get this straight,” Devri pulled Sienna to a stop during their morning beach stroll the following day. “I couldn’t even get a firm yes on whether or not you would attend a party anddancewith a few nice young men, and then you get engaged to some sailor you met a few hours before?” She pressed a hand to Sienna’s forehead. “You’re not feverish, but are you sure you’re well?”
Sienna pushed her hand away. “It’s only for a week, Dev. And it’s not like we’re actually planning on getting married. Papa was just worried about leaving me home alone for such a long time, and it would start rumors if people found out about me staying alone with some strange man.”
“I’m surprised Daland isn’t more concerned aboutthat.” Devri frowned. “I’m sorry, Enna, but I feel like I need to be the voice of reason here. How do you even know you’re safe with him?”
