Although Claire wanted to believe her, she couldn’t. After all these years, if Ian didn’t love her now, he never would. She didn’t want to marry someone else clinging to the hope her husband would eventually come to love her.
“I don’t know. What—”
Lady Knightly nudged her. “We have company.”
Ian stood in the doorway.
Claire’s heart climbed in her throat. He looked much better than he had the last time she’d seen him, but today, his eyes were more haunted than they were at the cabin. His pain made her hurt for him.
“Good afternoon.” He cleared his throat. “I hate to interrupt, but I would like to have a word with Miss Ashford.”
“Of course.” Lady Knightly stood. “I will just wait by the door.”
“No. I need to speak with Miss Ashford alone.”
His eyes never left hers. Her breathing sped as fear slithered up her body. Did he intend to further badger her about who had taken her innocence? If so, part of her wanted to tell him the truth. Unfortunately she had to take into account the possibility that he would not believe her.
“That would be inappropriate. I will—”
“You will wait outside.” Finally, he broke his gaze to stare at his mother. “Your charge will be safe with me. If you remain as a guard, she will be safe from the staff’s wagging tongues as well.”
Lady Knightly hesitated, appearing torn, but eventually dropped her shoulders as she moved toward the door. Once she was in the hall, Ian pushed the door, almost closing it, before facing Claire. The intensity in his gaze made her suck in her breath.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he demanded.
She gulped. “Tell you what?”
“That it was me.”
Uncomfortable with him towering over her, she stood. “What good would have come from it? You didn’t even remember. In any case, I couldn’t be sure you would have believed me.”
“I didn’t . . . force you, did I?”
She smiled at his concern. “Do you honestly believe yourself to be capable of that? Or that I would have denied you?”
His shoulders relaxed a fraction. “I’m so sorry, Claire. At least now I know why you were so angry with me. I would never have guessed.”
That very anger bolted through her, smothering any other emotions. “No, you wouldn’t have. Men are so dense. I told you, you didn’t force me, so why would you apologize?”
Ian wiped a hand across his face. “I’m doing this all wrong.”
“If you’re referring to apologizing, then yes. You are doing it all wrong.”
“Then how would you recommend I offer my regret?”
“Don’t. That’s why I’ve been angry. Not only did you forget such a wonderful experience, but you keep telling me you’re sorry it happened.”
“Then for your sake, I will stop apologizing. But, I can’t take back my loss of memory. I wish I could. Believe me.”
She shook her head as she reclaimed her seat. “Yes. You did miss an amazing memory.”
Her heart leapt as he sat beside her, their thighs touching. Something about being so near him made her body hum. She forced herself to remain still.
“Then maybe we should make another one.”
Breathing became difficult at both his low voice and the promise of his words. She fought the urge to lean into him and take him up on his offer, but that would solve nothing.
She swallowed. “I already tried that in the cabin. It didn’t work.”
“Oh, it will work now.” His lips were only inches from hers. “Kiss me.”
She licked her lips. She wanted to kiss him. Desperately. But, should she? This was so wrong, but she couldn’t help herself. The second her lips met his, she was astounded by how right it felt.
He remained back, allowing her to set the pace. The only contact they kept was their lips, but already Claire could feel desire pooling between her legs. She wanted him. This would never do. As she pulled back, an apology on her lips, she sucked in her breath. His face glowed in victory. She didn’t understand.
“I adore it when you kiss me. Do you enjoy it?”
She nodded, wondering why he would have to ask such a thing.
“I’ve missed you, Claire. Our frequent rides were the highlight of my day.”
“Mine, too.” Her voice was thick after his confession. Perhaps he liked her a little more than she thought.
“And you like when I join you for dinner. I do recall you asking me to stay on more than one occasion.”
Sliding further back in her seat, she studied him. Something was going on. His eyes were bright. Did he intend to propose, again?
With the feelings coursing through her at this moment, she would have a much more difficult time denying him. She had to continually remind herself he didn’t love her.
“What is the purpose of all of this?” she demanded.
“I think you like me.” His smug smile elicited a laugh from her.
“You are just now figuring that out?”
“Then, marry me, Claire.” He grabbed her hand as he dropped to his knees in front of her. “We can make countless memories in bed. You can kiss me whenever you want. We can ride every day. Picnic as we please. Have dinner every night. All the things you enjoy. You only have to say yes.”
Tears filled her eyes and she couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. This was exactly what she didn’t want. He looked so earnest she almost believed he wasn’t only proposing because he had taken her innocence.
“Why?” She forced out. “Why do you want to marry me?”
His slow smile made her heart race. “For all those reasons, and more. I long for all of your days and nights. As it stands, you are the first thing on my mind in the morning and the last thing as I fall asleep. I want you there physically, too. I want to share stories with you. Make memories. Have children. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this. Wanted you. I . . .”
She didn’t move, breathless, as she desperately prayed he would finish. Her nerves wound tighter as he thrust a hand through his hair, avoiding eye contact with her.
“You what, Ian?” she pressed, unable to wait any longer.
When he looked at her, a fierce fire burned in his eyes. “I love you, Claire. I have loved you for almost all of my life.”
She gasped for air. It couldn’t be true. “Impossible.”
“Do you think so? Look back to your life—all of it—and tell me I don’t love you. And don’t worry. I’m not expecting you to return the feeling.” He drew in a deep breath. “Having you as my wife will be enough.”
Her mouth dropped open at his words and the truth of his feelings. He truly loved her. “Oh, Ian. I do love you. In a million years, you will never be able to understand exactly how much.”
His eyes widened. “Truly? Then why won’t you marry me?”
She poured every ounce of love into her smile. “It seems I have changed my mind. I will marry you as soon as you can arrange it.”
Joy spread through her as he pulled her into his arms and spun her around, his laughter a musical sound. She had never imagined her life turning out so perfect.
“You are really going to marry me? This third time, you are truly saying yes?”
His disbelief only made her love him more. “This third proposal was definitely more charming than the others.”
He grinned. “And here I believed you when you told me my charm wouldn’t work on you.”
“I lied.” She shrugged.
Ian’s lips pressed against hers, his arms embracing her within his love. Giddy with happiness, she threaded her hands in his hair, holding him to her.
With him in her life, everything made sense.
Together they could weather any storm. H
andle any fire. Survive any wilderness. As long as Ian remained by her side, she would never be lost again.
Epilogue
Ian lifted his brandy in salute with his two friends, then they all drank in celebration of his marriage. After the liquid touched his tongue, Ian pulled the glass back. He had no intention of forgetting even one second of tonight.
The month he had been forced to wait before marrying Claire had been torture. But, now it was over. Their wedding night would begin in a matter of minutes.
Anticipation raked his body, affecting him stronger than any alcohol he had ever consumed. Although, for the majority of the wait, Gordon hadn’t been around to keep Claire from him, his own mother had proven to be a formidable force. But, not any longer.
“Now,” Marcus began. “Hopefully, your bride is receiving pointers on how to handle an inept lover. Otherwise, I imagine your life will prove to be quite trying.”
Shaking his head, Ian ignored the comment. Nothing could detract from his happiness today.
“I still don’t know how he got her to agree to marry him after he drunkenly mauled her.” Gordon’s expression was bitter.
“Say what you will, but the fact that Claire is now my wife says all I need to hear.” Simply uttering the words made his grin wider.
“Cheer up, Gordon. At least you have one sister married. I don’t know that Annalise will ever leave my care.”
The knowledge didn’t seem to comfort Gordon as his face darkened. Ian wondered at it. In the past week since his friend had been back home, his mood had been quite irritable.
“How has Lady Annalise been doing? She didn’t appear to be very happy at the wedding.” Ian didn’t mention how the girl looked different as well. Something strange was going on with her.
“She’s been struggling with her situation as of late, but I’m sure she will calm herself before long. That girl is too spirited to live at home like this. She needs a place of her own to run. And a husband to occupy her time.”
Gordon snorted. “Good luck with that. Women are stubborn and frustrating. They live their lives to ensure men have no peace in theirs.”
“Maybe we wouldn’t have to be so stubborn if you men weren’t such pigheaded asses.” Lady Annalise stood in the doorway to the study, then she faced Ian. “Lord Knightly, your wife is ready for you.”
As she turned and stomped away, Gordon’s face turned a bright red. “I didn’t know she was standing right there.”
Marcus groaned. “Thanks. Now she’s only going to be more difficult to deal with.”
Ian chuckled. “Then I’ll leave the both of you to it. The new Lady Knightly is anxiously awaiting me, and I hate to keep her wanting for anything.”
His friends yelled out unsavory comments as he hurried from the room. Once he reached the foyer, Claire stood, still in her wedding finery, with a gaggle of women behind her.
“My lady.” Ian bowed to his wife, a smile on his face.
“My lord.” Her eyes held laughter as she curtsied.
Once they received the final well wishes, Ian put his wife in the carriage. The short drive would be interminable as he didn’t want to wait one more second to have her. Somehow, he would survive it.
After settling across from his wife, he frowned. She was biting her lip and fidgeting with her dress. Considering everything they had done, he wouldn’t accept that she was nervous. Did she regret her decision to marry him?
“Are you all right?”
She nodded, but the concern didn’t leave her eyes.
Needing to assure her as well as himself, he reached for her, and silently rejoiced as she closed the distance between them. As he gathered her dress up so she could straddle him, his mouth devoured hers.
Urgency shot through him. The carriage ride would drag this out much longer than he could handle right now.
She gasped as she ground against him. Over this past month, he had learned that Claire was a tease. Her ability to rile him up with nothing more than a look would make being married to her much more intriguing.
As his hands slid up her smooth leg, the carriage stopped. He cursed under his breath as he set Claire beside him. A disquieting feeling surrounded him. They had halted much too soon to have arrived at the manor. Although the roads between the two estates were generally safe, he would never take a chance again. Especially with Claire.
Quickly reaching into the box under the seat, Ian pulled out a loaded pistol. This time he would be ready to protect his wife. He would never be caught unprepared again.
“What is that for?” Claire demanded, fear in her voice. “Put it away.”
He placed a finger to his lips to silence her. “Don’t say anything,” he whispered. “Stay hidden inside. I will find out why we have stopped.”
A knock at the door made him freeze. Since when do highwaymen offer the courtesy of a warning? Something wasn’t right.
“Although I appreciate your protection, it’s unnecessary.” Claire eyed the gun, still uneasy.
“You don’t know that.”
“Please, Ian. Just put it away and open the door.”
Looking into her pleading eyes, he knew whatever difficulty that faced him outside the door would be worth the suffering to give her what she wanted. Although reluctant, he did as she asked. Once outside, Ian noticed the driver standing there, looking quite proud of himself.
“This is as far as you go, my lord.”
“Excuse me?” Apparently having Claire on his lap had addled his brains, for he had no idea what was going on.
Much to his dismay, Claire exited the carriage behind him. “Wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Grimes.”
“What is going on?” Ian demanded, but Grimes simply shook his head then climbed back on the carriage and set off, leaving them alone.
“Come along.” Claire took his arm and drew him toward the woods. “We can’t remain along the road. Who knows what could befall us here?”
“I take it this is your doing.”
She didn’t respond as she pulled him along. When they came upon a tree with two crossed arrows stuck in it, Ian grinned. She had gone through a lot of trouble for this.
After navigating a few turns past identical trees, they came upon a clearing. A picnic blanket had been laid out with a basket of pears placed upon it. Claire turned to him, a beautiful smile on her lips.
“Is this a better tribute?”
“Absolutely.” He ran a hand down his beloved’s face. “How did you plan all this?”
She beamed at him. “Gordon and Marcus helped.” She took his hands in hers. “Our experience in the woods completely changed my life. And today is the culmination of what began the day we became stranded in the woods. I love you, Ian. And I’m happy to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Love for her swelled in his chest. He couldn’t believe she would go through so much trouble to do this for him.
“I love you, too. Those highwaymen offered us a great service that day.”
She nodded.
Cupping her face in his hands, he drew her mouth to his. She met him with a fervor that mirrored his own.
As he slid his arms down her body, she clutched onto him. Fire ran through his veins. He wouldn’t be able to wait until they were in his bed.
Lifting her, he carried her to the blanket, laying her upon their woodland haven. As he followed her down, he proceeded to make a new memory with her. One he would never forget.
Turn the page for a glimpse of
Book Two in the
TOUCHED BY FIRE series!
Book II: Enslaving the Day
Chapter 1
Lady Annalise Hera clutched her stomach as the carriage lurched to the side. Taking deep breaths, she waited for the nausea to subside. Gordon Ashford, Baron Dailey,
sat across from her looking unperturbed and unaware of her current plight. After a few minutes she regained control, but as she thought about their destination, the sick feeling returned.
Gretna Green. She swallowed as she studied her soon-to-be husband. His blond hair was mussed, as if he had just rolled out of bed. Considering she’d seen him a number of times and the style never changed, she knew this to be intentional. It bothered her. Her eyes continued further to take in his boyish good looks and the irritated brown gaze that appraised her. Unable to handle his perusal, she faced the window.
The baron was an attractive man, she supposed, but not what she admired in a man. She much preferred the dark rugged look. Someone much closer to his friend, Viscount Knightly. She suppressed a groan knowing her current predicament was the viscount’s fault. Had he not rejected her, she wouldn’t have felt the need to try to earn his jealousy.
“Damned boring ride, isn’t it?” Lord Dailey commented.
Her mouth fell open for a second before she could resume her emotionless façade. “You aren’t precisely amusing either, my lord. Besides, the situation doesn’t exactly bring out a very companionable side of me.”
He laughed and the sound brought a warm feeling to her midsection. It was unsettling. She didn’t like it.
“Getting married so young had never been something I planned, either. And, so suddenly . . .” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flask, taking a swig before offering it to her. “This will help us through it.”
The thought of imbibing alcohol brought bile to her throat, and she swallowed convulsively to keep it down. Would she ever be able to partake of something at her whim again? “Our child isn’t inclined to accept.”
“Right.” He took one more long pull before putting the flask away, his lips pinched tight and his eyes trained on the wall behind her.
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