Eyes burning, hestared at her. Christ. Christ.
Gathering her tohim, he kissed her, and in his kiss was gratitude and thanks andhow the bloody hell did he ever get so fortunate as to win herregard?
Pulling back,she settled her hands on his shoulders. “By the bye, I forgiveyou,” she said magnanimously.
He was confusedonly a moment before his lips twitched. “You forgive me for youhaving a stupid idea and me being upset about it?”
“Precisely.”
He burst outlaughing.
She looked athim in wonder.
“What?” he asked self-consciously.
“Idon’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh quite like thatbefore.”
“Surely not.”
She shook herhead, and her dark hair spilled over her shoulder. “I don’t think Ihave.”
“Ishall ensure you hear it often in the future.”
“Future?” she said, her eyes wide.
“Ishall have to talk with Oliver.”
“Stephen.” She took his hand between hers, and he curled intoher touch. “We are to have a future?”
He ducked hishead. “Of course,” he said gruffly. “We have no choice.”
She stilled. “Ofcourse,” she repeated.
Why did he feelas if something had been lost? Brusquely, he continued, ignoringthe feeling of unease. “I shall discuss with Oliver, and then weshall make arrangements. Perhaps we will to Gretna Green, though itwill be just as simple to make arrangements here.”
She saidnothing.
“Sera?” he said.
A shadow passedover her eyes. “What sort of arrangements?”
“Well, we shall marry,” he said awkwardly. Ignoring thetrepidation in his gut, he powered through. “We have no choice, weshall have to marry. Oliver cannot protest, and neither can Lydia.Lady Demartine may be disappointed at my actions, but she won’tvoice concern either. There is nothing else for it but we must bewed. So, you see, none shall object.”
She stared athim.
He shifteduncomfortably, a flush heating his skin. “Sera?”
She took foreverto respond. “Talk with Oliver,” she finally said.
He let out thebreath he didn’t realise he held. “Before breakfast, if I can helpit.”
Turning hercheek, she nodded. “Is there a way to my room from the nursery? Asecret passage?”
“Yes. Of course.” Again, that feeling of unease. “Shall I helpyou dress?”
Cheek stillturned, she nodded. “Please.”
He helped herdress in silence, and then he threw on his shirt and breeches.Holding the rest of his clothes, he placed a hand at her back as hekissed her forehead. “All will be well.”
