“This is not a proper topic of conversation,” he cautioned her. “Tell me more about the malachite stone.”
“Well, I have no intention of using it on an entire staircase. It will be used sparingly on the design of the entry hall floor as an accent piece. Even that small piece will be expensive. But extremely tasteful.”
“Everything you do is tasteful. I know I am in the best hands with you. Is there a shop we can go to that will have this precious green stone?”
“Yes, there’s a warehouse near the docks. We’ll find the malachite and wood samples, and whatever else we might need for the other rooms in the house.”
“All right, let’s go,” he said. “But we’ll use my carriage. Brent is my driver and he is most reliable in a fight. Still, bring along your two armed footmen.”
“Do you think there will be a fight? It isn’t a good part of town, but ought to be safe enough at this hour when the docks are so busy. The thieves and cutpurses generally come out later in the evening.”
“It is Hawthorne I am concerned about. He might be following us. Well, it is you he would be following.”
She looked up at him and cast him a fragile smile. “I’m not afraid when I’m with you, Gideon. You make me feel safe.”
“Gad, the way you look at me,” he muttered, casting her a wry smile in return as he caressed her cheek. “Oh, Berry. I am not safe at all. Careful, or I might be tempted to takeyouinto my bed.”
“I hope so,” she whispered, and then gasped. “I mean… Oh my. I…” She clutched her stomach. “That came out wrong.”
But she did mean it.
And now he knew how she felt about him.
“I…” She let out a breath that ended in a pained groan.
She avoided his stare by gazing directly into his chest, his broad and hard-as-rocks chest.
He tucked a finger under her chin and tipped her head upward. “Berry…”
Sheeepedand immediately closed her eyes because she was too ashamed to look at him.
“Berry, open your eyes.”
“No. How can I when you now know how I feel about you? Although you must be used to ladies swooning over you. I’ve never swooned over anyone before. Not even an errant tingle. But I turn feverish whenever I look at you. It is awful. Tell me this is nothing serious and will quickly pass.”
He gave her cheek another light caress. “Nothing serious? Are you talking about love?”
“Oh, you must not mention that word.”
“Love?”
She groaned. “I don’t know what this is. My heart races and I can never catch my breath when I am with you. I do not like this helpless feeling at all. I’m so sorry. This must be so awkward foryou. It certainly is for me. I do not understand what is going on with my heart.”
“It is no different than how I feel about you,” he said, his voice husky. “Why do you think I said that I would never bring another woman into my house?”
“Because it is your sanctuary,” she replied, her eyes still firmly shut.
“No.” He ran his thumb lightly across her lower lip. “It is because of you, Berry. I have been in agony ever since meeting you. Here is my truth, and I can assure you I am not happy about it, either. I have spent a lifetime guarding my heart and ensuring no one would ever take possession of it. Five minutes with you, and all my defenses crumbled. You’ve had my heart since our first encounter. You are the only woman I ever want sharing my bed.”
Her eyes flew open.
He cast her a wry smile. “I had resolved never to tell you, but it would have required me to lie to you. And I want only the truth between us, especially about something as important as this. I am in love with you. There, it’s all out now. But we are going to donothingabout our feelings for each other.”
“Nothing at all?”
“No, not a thing.”
“Not even a kiss?”
