But after the endless kisses, after the joining of bodies that felt like a joining of their souls, his questions returned. He would have her answer. Her pledge. He did not want her as a lover or mistress—though he most definitely wanted her in his bed. When a man was off fighting, he needed a home to return to. He wanted his to be with her.
“Linnet, it is time we settled matters between us.”
She turned on her side and ran a finger down his chest. “You spoke of promises before,” she said, fixing those deceptively innocent pale-blue eyes on him. “What do you ask of me?”
That was one of the things he appreciated about her: She looked you right in the eye no matter how hard the question.
“I want us to marry.” His heart thundered in his chest as he waited for her answer.
“Are you certain you want me as your wife?”
“ ’Tis not the first time I’ve asked, as you may recall.”
“This is a serious matter. Something we should discuss dressed, I think.”
With that, she got up from the bed and slipped her chemise over her head. What was in the woman’s head?
“ ’Tis a simple question,” he said from the bed. “It requires a simple answer, yea or nay.”
He got distracted for a moment as she pulled long, silky strands of her hair out from her chemise.
“How soon do you want to marry?” she asked, crossing her arms.
She was asking when; he took that as a good sign.
“As soon as it can be done.”
“Must it be soon?” she asked.
“Aye, it must.”
She nodded but then bit her lip. Not the joyful bride he hoped for.
He got up from the bed and went to her. “What is it? Tell me what worries you.”
She gave him a long, assessing look before she spoke. “I have put a great deal of effort into building my trade,” she said. “You would not expect me to give it up completely, would you?”
He could not help smiling, because it was so like her. She could not simply say she would be his wife; she must negotiate the terms. Well, he had one term he would insist upon as well.
“I have no objection, so long as it does not require us to live in London.”
“A long visit once or twice a year will do.”
The radiant smile she gave him lifted his heart. At last, she seemed happy about their marriage.
“In another year,” she said, clapping her hands together and rising on her toes, “I shall have enough saved to buy your lands for you.”
What was she talking about? “I don’t need my wife to buy lands for me.”
“I do not mean to offend you.” She rested the flat of her hand against his chest, which had an unexpected calming effect on him. “You have need of lands, and I have the means—or will have soon. You would think nothing wrong in marrying an heiress for her lands. Why should this be different?”
Was this the reason she wished to wait?
“I can provide you a home,” he said. “Eventually, we will have a finer one, once Bedford grants me lands for my service.”
She had distracted him from what he meant to say.
“But there is a promise you must make to me,” he said, “or we shall not marry.”
