"The Lord is happy with his trophies, I am sure they are making a dent in the Hunting Lodge wine cellar as we speak. I left young Perkins to attend to the early morning duck shooting in my place."
"You did?" She tilted her head. "Why?"
How could he explain?
Alaric caught her close again, pressing his mouth to hers and deepening the kiss until she melted against him with a small sound of surrender.
"Alaric," she breathed. "Maria and James …"
"Are inside." He nipped at her lower lip. "And I've been thinking about kissing you all day."
"Have you?" Hanna’s cheeks were beautifully flushed, her eyes bright.
"Among other things." He let his hands slide down to the curve of her hips, pulling her flush against him so she could feel exactly what those other things involved.
Her eyes widened, but she didn't pull away. "We should go inside.”
"In a minute." He kissed her again, slower this time, savouring the taste of her. "Let me have this first. Let me hold you."
"You hold me every night," she pointed out, but her arms had come up around his neck.
"Not like this.” His thumb traced her lower lip. "God, you're beautiful."
"I'm not-"
"You are,” he said fiercely, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and cupping her cheek. "And you are mine now. My wife, my woman, mine to protect and provide for.”
Her brows drew together and she ducked her head shyly at his words. Alaric took her chin and tilted it back up, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“There is no need to run anymore, Hanna. You are safe with me.”
HANNA
Two days later
Hanna was seatedat the kitchen table, cradling a glass of milk as she ran her finger around the rim of the fine vessel. Around and around, like the thoughts swirling in her head.
The kitchen was spotless, the pots and crockery scoured and packed neatly, bread dough rising in a bowl near the hearth, ready for the oven in the morning.
Little James had fallen asleep with Maria while she read them her evening psalms.
There was nothing left here to do.
You are my woman now, Alaric had said. And somehow, Hanna actually felt it might be true. That she not only wanted that, but liked the feeling.
ShelikedAlaric.Her husband.No, more.
Shewantedhim, too.
Not just carnally. She wanted the connection he seemed to offer her.Feelings.
Hanna wanted to love him. Wanted to believe that he could feel the same for her too. Wanted to trust what she saw sometimes in his eyes when he looked at her.
Never again had she thought she would want an attachment to a man. Not after her betrayal, not after the lies.
They all lied, didn’t they?
But he hasn’t made you any promises he didn’t keep, a voice whispered in her head.He has only done as he said he would.
