Withered Rose (Desperate And Daring Book 7)
Page 18
“Don’t be frightened. I won’t hurt you. I cannot in good conscience let a woman roam wild and alone. There’s no telling what havoc you will wreak upon the unsuspecting.”
“What?” Charlotte giggled again. It felt so lovely, she had the sudden urge to cry. Something was blooming inside her, a warmth that seeped through her chest. It scared her in a way she’d never felt before. He was so close now, she couldn’t take in all of him. She could only focus on his face, and the backdrop of storm clouds behind him.
“It’s raining,” she said.
“I like the rain. It brings good things.”
And now Charlotte was holding her breath. She was holding herself completely still because she felt as wild as he claimed her to be. Was this the moment she had been waiting for? Was he her desperately needed change? She didn’t know what to do. She was quiet and meek, not wild and…and whatever he thought her to be. But she wanted to be those things, she just didn’t know how. All her life she wanted to be stronger, tougher, louder than she was, but she was missing all those things. And he… He was everything she was missing. She knew it deep inside herself.
She needed him. She wanted him. He was her Thor, even if he didn’t have god-like powers. He had the power to set her free.
“My name is Charlotte,” she whispered.
He raised his hand slowly, and his thumb stroked her chin. “Charlotte… It suits you perfectly.
Charlotte took a much-needed breath of air. Her head swam. She’d told him her first name. If he knew who she truly was, they would never meet again, not like this. She thought frantically. “Miss Charlotte Woodhouse, to be precise.”
“Miss Woodhouse, it is a pleasure to meet you,” he smiled.
That smile curled around her insides like a warm wisp of smoke. She wanted to melt into her feet and languish like a puddle. “Your name suits you as well.”
“Does it?” He dropped his hand.
“It does to me.”
He was silent for a moment. His eyes moved over her face slowly. “I did not realize what beauty England had to offer.”
Her cheeks filled with warmth, but she could not look away from the heated blue of his eyes. They were like a vibrant sky, too beautiful and rare to miss.
“May I see you again?” he asked.
She bit her lip. “I can’t say…”
“I see.”
He stepped away, and it almost hurt not to be under his warm gaze.
“My parents are very strict. They don’t know I come here. But I do it every morning. It’s the only time I’m free.”
His brow furrowed and then eased. “I think I understand.”
“Perhaps we will meet here again?” she asked with what she hoped was not obvious desperation.
“I’d like that very much, Miss Woodhouse.”
“I really must be going now,” Charlotte said. Her heart raced. Had she just asked to meet a complete stranger again? Yes she had, because it was him, and there was something very special about him. There was something very special about this morning.
“Until we meet again.”
Charlotte smiled at him in return, and then hurried into the woods. She was relieved he didn’t follow her. She stopped behind a tree and watched him exit the meadow more slowly. He didn’t head to Shelding Manor, thankfully, but to the village.
Her heart skipped about wildly in her chest as she watched him. Her body flushed with warmth, like a fever, but she also felt as if she could run back to Shelding Manor, laughing all the way.
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About the Author
Dayna Quince was only fourteen when she developed a serious addiction to romance novels. What began as an innocent desire to read became an all-out obsession with the romance genre. She gave book reports on romance novels, got in trouble for reading during lectures, and would rather spend her time reading than attending high school parties. After all, high school boys could not compete with the likes of Stephanie Laurens Devil Cynster. After getting her first job, her addiction only got worse. She now had her own money to spend and a car to get to Barnes and Noble as frequently as she wanted. She managed to maintain a somewhat normal life, marrying her high school boyfriend who was aware he was competing with fictional men for her attention. Dayna soon began writing her own romance novels, inspired by her love for all things romance. Dayna and her husband live in Southern California with their two children and three fur babies. Dayna is happiest at home where she can be with her family and write to her heart’s content.
For more information about Dayna, please visit her website, “like” Dayna on Facebook and follow her on Twitter or Instagram. Sign up for Dayna’s newsletter to be notified about upcoming releases. She’s loves hearing from her readers. Email her directly at daynaquince@gmail.com.
Also by Dayna Quince
The Fated for Love Series:
Mine, All Mine
Sweet Torture
Storm on the Horizon
To Love, Honor, and Obey
Desperate and Daring Series:
Desperate for a Duke
Belle of the Ball
Just One Kiss
Anything But Innocent
An Unconventional Innocent
Mad About You
Withered Rose
Wildwood Flower
An Undesirable Duke