Devil take him, hewasgoing to cry.
“I esteem you. And I welcome your…friendship.” He wanted more, so much more. But friendship would do, for now. “Have I answered your question to your satisfaction? Are you convinced I will not be a tyrant?”
“I don’t suppose I truly believe you will.” She lifted her head. “When you saw I was in peril, you enlisted the help of your friends. You’re showing me pieces of yourself. You are sharing your fears. But trust takes time.”
“How much time?”
“I don’t know. But Auggie”—she cupped his neck—“I’ve changed my mind. I would prefer you to banishment.”
Not a declaration of love. Not even one of certain future happiness. Not yet. But, he heard and cherished the most important thing behind her words—willingness to try in good faith for love and happiness. For now, that was more than enough.
“Millie, may I ask you that question, now?”
*
Though his facewas blurred by proximity, she could see the tear on his cheek. Why was hecrying? Because he thought she would say no?
Ah, Auggie.
If he’d only shown her this vulnerable side before. But he’d done everything he could to protect himself, to forge himself into a citadel of pride.
Oh, she’d been prideful, too, she supposed—spouting, as he’d pointed out in the stables, every mean-spirited thing that popped into her head.
Butthis manwas different from what she’d believed.
This man had held her tenderly, had allowed her to shake him when she’d been furious and frightened. This man had looked back at her as if he’d just lost his very reason to live when she’d been fully willing to refuse him, to give into her fears about becoming a wife.
Repeatedly, she smoothed her hand over his short hair—so fine, so soft. Fragile, tiny locks were the opposite of everything he presented to the world.
But not of the heart he’d shown her tonight.
She couldn’t yet say that she loved him. But shechosehim.
And she knew she’d be fierce for this man. Protect him, as he was always promising to protect her. She would become his wife—his beloved…a word that made her feel tender. He would become hers, too. She made these solemn vows, not to him, but to herself.
She’d never letanyoneharm him—notanyone…including herself. But could she love him? Love him as Eliza loved Adrian. As Cassie loved Harbury?
She’d spent so long protecting herself, she couldn’t be sure. But they’d have time to work out the details. She cupped his neck, clutching him close.
“You’ve been so very patient.” She placed her hand over his heart. “Yes, you may ask. And I think we both know what my answer will be. But if you could wait a few moments longer, I’d like to tell you a story first.”
“Now?” He sounded raw, urgent.
“Well,” she made her voice light, “youwere so kind as to tell me the Delilah story.”
His downward glance suggested he wasn’t in the mood to be teased. But she must. She must tease him out of this tension. And she must do so while making him understand just howsignificant he’d been in her life. How much that moment in the yew maze had meant.
“This is important. I need you to know somethingbeforeyou ask.”
“Very well.” Somewhat dreamily, he kissed her brow. “But please don’t embellish too much.”
“I won’t.” She took a deep breath. “There once was a girl—”
“Auspicious beginning.”
She admonished him with a look. “If you interrupt, the story will go on longer.”
“Go on.” He gave her an appropriately repentant glance.