“Then I shall get her now.”
He turned, but she grasped his hand to stop him from leaving. His gaze locked with hers again.
“Thank you, Adrian. I… I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Although the light in the room wasn’t very bright, she noticed the twinkle in his amazing eyes. Seconds later, he bent and kissed her on the mouth, but it was very brief. He withdrew, but not very far.
“Bridget, I will be here for you. Always.”
Tears continued to fill her eyes, even as he turned and left the room. Her heart hammered so fast that she feared she would be the one lying on death’s bed soon. She needed to tell him how she felt. If she hid it any longer, her courage would be gone.
She jumped off the bed and ran after him. “Adrian, wait.”
He stopped in front of the room, and she rushed to him. His eyes widened as he opened his arms for her. The moment she pressed against him, he wound them tightly around her.
“What is it, my love?”
She sighed heavily, treasuring the way his voice sounded when he said that to her. “Adrian, I… I must tell you something.”
“What is it?” His fingers brushed a lock of hair off her forehead.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words weren’t forthcoming. Never had she told a man she loved him, and she wasn’t sure if she could do it now.
She laughed lightly. “I cannot believe how tongue-tied I am. I have wanted to tell you something since last night, but…”
“Your tongue is not working properly?” He grinned as one of his eyebrows arched and his gaze dropped to her mouth. “Then pray, allow me to fix that for you.”
He bent his head and captured her mouth. Sighing in pleasure, she slid her arms around his neck. Immediately, the kiss grew urgent and very passionate. Her heart felt as if it had grown at least three sizes larger, and she knew she would have no difficulty telling him how she felt now. When she was done kissing him, anyway.
As they kissed, his hands moved to her hair and he threaded his fingers through her long curls. He gently held her head between his hands and deepened the kiss even more. She slid her hands down his wide chest and clutched his vest.
“Bridget, my love.” His mouth moved from her lips and down her throat. “I’ve been thinking about doing this to you all night long.”
She opened her eyes to look at him. “And I have had the same yearnings for you.”
“I don’t know how it happened, but…” He lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. “But I have fallen madly in love with you.”
She moaned in happiness. “I have tried to fight my feelings, but I cannot. You hold my heart, and I want you to have it. Always.”
He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. This time when his mouth covered hers, the kiss was so very tender, so very meaningful, and she could have cried with joy.
They kissed for a few minutes longer before he pulled away again. This time, he dropped his head on her shoulder and breathed on her neck. Shivers cascaded over her, making her snuggle against him. She couldn’t get enough of his nearness, even though this was very improper.
“Bridget, my love,” he said in a deep voice, “my brother knows how I feel about you.”
She held her breath. “He does?”
“And he urged me to tell you how I feel.”
Relief poured through her, and she smiled. “I’m so happy he understands.”
“As am I.” He pulled back and looked at her. “But that wouldn’t have stopped me. I was falling for you from the first time I saw you in my yard scolding your sisters for trespassing.”
She laughed. “And I was having feelings for you when you tried to convince me I was a farthing-filching woman.”
“I know you’re not now.”
She tilted her head. “You do?”
