Just as he was working up his courage to tempt her wrath and hold her, the hack came to a halt. He jumped out and paid the driver, who was very appreciative. Michael reached into the cab and tapped Dara’s shoulder lightly. She gave a start, then stifled a yawn and said apologetically, “I’m sorry, I must have had a bit of a doze.” She took his hand and let him help her from the vehicle.
She even took a step before she stopped, puzzled. She looked around the street. “Where are we?”
Michael laced his fingers with hers so that she couldn’t run off. He waited until the hack drove away before answering. “I have rooms here. You will stay with me. I need to keep you safe.”
Chapter Sixteen
A lady should never call alone upon any gentleman, for any reason, especially at his residence.
The Rules (according to Dara)
Unless she wishes to find herself in the most delicious trouble.
Tweedie’s thoughts
Dara stared at him, uncertain if she’d heard him correctly. Michael’s hold on her fingers tightened, and that is when she knew hehadsaid what she’d believed she’d heard.
Her response was succinct. “Are you mad?”
Michael considered the question. “I don’t believe so.”
“Return me to Willow Streetimmediately. I will make some sort ofsuitableexcuse to my aunt and sister, and we’ll just pretend this night never happened.” Yes, that was the answer. Dara would pretend nothing happened, including Mrs. Ferrell’s terrible grief.
Except ithadhappened. Dara wasworn thinby all that had happened. It resonated through her.
Although hiding beneath the bedcovers in herownbed seemed far more preferable than heaping another controversy upon herself. If anyone saw her walking into his quarters—
“I need to ensure your protection—” he started.
“I do not wish or desire your protection, Mr. Brogan—”
“Michael.My name is Michael. You can’t go backward now. You have started using it. You must continue on.”
Dara gave him the “eye,” the look she saved for her sisters when they annoyed her. “And who says I must?”
“It is a rule,” he replied with a shrug as if he was merely the messenger.
“I have never heard of that rule.” She tried to pull her fingers free, turning from him. He wouldn’t let her go. Instead, he swung her around to face him.
“Then I am happy to help in your education.”
Education?That is when she knew. “You made that rule up.”
He turned her again, moving as if they were on the dance floor. “You made that rule up—Michael,” he said, tutoring her.
She tried to pull away. “Michael is a name for the miller’s son,” she announced witheringly.
“That is not true. I am an MP, my father was anMP, and we are both named Michael.” Again, he swung her around as if they were in a reel.
“Your mother should have stopped him.”
“My mother’s name is Siobhan. Now, that is a good Irish name.” He brought her to a halt in front of him. He looked down at her, his expression serious. “Yes, I made the rule up... because I don’t want you to push me away, Dara. I ask you to think about yourself. What do you want?”
The moon was full and cast a silvery light on the two of them standing on the midnight street. And she wanted to whisper,I want you. Such a dangerous thought, one that would create a chasm between herself and people she loved.
But was it wrong to think of herself?
She closed her eyes and bowed her head. He pulled her toward him so her forehead rested on his chest, and they stood together like that. It was good. Loving, actually.
