He turned, grasping her smaller hands in his own. His eyes were tortured. “ I have done terrible things,” he ground out.
“James, we were at war. I do not pretend to understand everything, but even I know that at such times it is kill or be killed. Your enemies would not have stopped. What you did kept your kinsmen safe.” She squeezed his hands in comfort. “You saved me from that horrid Brentwood, James. Think I will forget that?”
“I killed him in front of your eyes, Daphne!”
“He would have killed me or at least ruined me. He would have never stopped. He was a monster.”
He looked down, not wanting her acceptance. She would not allow him to withdraw so completely.
“James, how many defenseless women do you think that man hurt in his lifetime?” she wanted to know. “Because of you, he will never hurt them again. I do not fear you.”
He lifted his head, green-gold eyes burning into hers. “I do. I terrify myself, Daphne, especially where you are concerned. I could kill again and again. I…you are everything to me, Daphne! If anyone ever threatened you…”
She cupped his cheeks and lifted her mouth to his, tasting the aftermath of his terror, his passion, his…affection.
Grasping her shoulders, he pulled her close, burying his face in her soft curls. “I don’t think I could live without you, Daphne.”
She rubbed the back of his neck. “Of course you could. But I would not mind hearing you say that you would not want to.”
He pulled back and cupped her cheeks. “I love you, Daphne. I think I have always loved you, from the first time I saw you.”
“Don’t be silly,” she murmured, smiling sadly. “The first time I met you I wasn’t supposed to be in your room and you growled at me.”
“Of course I did,” he replied warmly. “There you were, all dimples and sunlight when I was trying to feel sorry for myself. You never gave me a moment of peace, sweetheart. I had no choice but love you. I knew I was too old and mean for you, but I couldn’t help but take what I wanted.”
Her eyes widened. “You aren’t jesting, James?”
“I love you, Daphne. It was the only reason I was able to ignore you so well.”
His mouth found hers, cherishing every breath and taste. The sweet taste of her was home. He did not care about the house or title or aught else so long as she was here, safe in his arms.
About the Author:
Rebecca Minto
Once upon a time a little girl was born in the backwoods of Kentucky. This little girl loved to dream of fairy tale castles and vicious villains. She grew up to be a storyteller, telling yarns to friends, family, her son until one day she decided to write down her whimsical fancies. She currently lives in Utah with her son.
Visit Rebecca Minto online at:
http://www.rebeccaminto.com
Also by Rebecca Minto:
Angel Of Windword
by Maggie Dove
eBook ISBN: 9781926704654
Print ISBN: 9781926704739
Historical Romance
Novel of 83,500 words
Having traded the blissful existence of her beloved Loire Valley, Angelique Beauvisage finds that Windword Hall has more than one villainous skeleton in the closet.
Evil forces are at play surrounding Angelique Beauvisage, but she has no clue. Sensuous and suspense-filled, Angel Of Windword, begins with a murder that takes place four years before and turns into a perilous cat and mouse game played by two reluctant lovers, who spin a web of deception that only their love can unravel.
Also from Eternal Press:
Elysium
by Diane Scott Lewis
eBook ISBN: 9781615723713
Print ISBN: 9781615723720
Historical Romance
Plus-Novel of 139,528 words
In 1815, after the battle of Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte and a few loyal followers are exiled to St. Helena.
On this remote, volcanic island, Amélie Perrault, the daughter of Napoleon’s head chef, struggles with her low station in life and a fascination with the fallen French emperor. When her beautiful singing voice catches Napoleon’s attention, she is drawn into his clash with their British jailers, court intrigues, and a burgeoning sexual attraction.
Napoleon is soured on love, yet this young woman’s selfless devotion tugs at his heart. After political maneuvers fail to release him from the island, he desires freedom no matter the risk—but will he desert the only woman who has loved him for himself?
Elysium, in Greek mythology, is where the gods are sent to die. Amélie suspects someone in their entourage is poisoning the emperor. Will she uncover the culprit in time and join in Napoleon’s last great battle plan, a dangerous escape?
A Kiss to Remember Page 34