When he lifted his head, she nearly sighed in regret, wishing they could stay like this all night.
“I promised to be a gentleman,” he whispered as his thumb continued massaging little circles along her jaw.
She licked her lips, feeling the moisture that had collected there from their kiss. “I don’t think I want to complain.”
He smiled then. “I’m going tae take ye back tae yer room now. But I’ll see you in the morning?”
She quirked a brow. “Back to my room? I shall never sleep now.”
That made him laugh, a low, deep sound that danced along her skin. “Me either but I shouldn’t have been here at all. I am trying, in my wiser years, to make good decisions and I think this one, to leave ye before we do more than kiss, is a good one.”
More than kiss? She took a half step back, realizing that she wasn’t prepared for any of that. “I—”
He smiled, still holding her, his thumb still stroking her chin. “Don’t be afraid. I didn’t mean that tae sound like I would ever do ye harm.” He leaned down then but instead of kissing her, he lightly rubbed the tip of his nose to hers. Any fear she’d had vanished, and she relaxed into his embrace again.
“I’m not afraid. I mean, I’m not afraid of you. I suppose I’ve avoided any deep connection with a suitor. I just never realized, after what I saw, that I was a bit nervous about being alone with a man like this.”
He stopped rubbing her nose, pulling back just a bit. His thumb swiped across her mouth, just a light touch, as his fingers flexed against her cheek. “I’m glad ye told me what happened and about yer fear. I can see that yer a strong woman and I ken that ye’ll get past it.”
“Strong?” She stood a bit straighter in his arms. Did he really think that?
He gave her another smile. “Ye berated me while covered in mud. Ye took a swing at a man with a chamber pot. Ye’re strong fer sure.” Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “But that doesn’t mean a man can’t be tender with ye while ye heal.” Then he pressed another kiss to her temple, her cheek, right by her ear. “And don’t try to rush that healing. Yer not married yet because ye weren’t ready, not because yer lacking.”
She pressed her cheek to his. “Do you really believe that? Sometimes I wonder if I’m broken.”
“I think that about myself sometimes too,” he whispered back.
Him? The pillar of strength holding her up? But then she remembered what he’d shared about his father. “You feel like you’re not enough?”
He nodded. “We understand each other, don’t we?”
She drew in a deep breath. “I believe that we do.” What did that mean exactly? She’d never been in this position before. She’d flirted, she’d danced, and she giggled. Much like during her first meeting with Lord Price. But this? This was a bond forming between them and it was both exciting and terribly frightening.
* * *
Blake stood in the entry the following day, waiting for the party to descend. In the end, Rose had agreed to allow Daisy out for a brief outing, but both she and Colin were chaperoning. What was more, Lord Price was also going to attend. The man was a plague.
Price sauntered down the steps first, looking like a dandy with a scarlet-colored riding coat. Blake shifted, gripping his hands in front of him to keep from rolling his eyes.
His own clothes had been returned completely laundered and freshly pressed. He ran a light hand down the lapel of his jacket, glad to be in his own coat again.
Colin, Rose, and Daisy appeared at the top of the stairs, each holding one of Daisy’s arms as she gingerly made her way down the steps.
He managed to stay where he was but the need to protect her rose again and he wanted to sprint up the steps and sweep her into his arms.
She smiled down at him, a soft, shy look that appeared nothing like the woman he’d first met yesterday. This Daisy was wide open with genuine affection, leaving him breathless.
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, he started to step forward, wanting to offer his arm, but suddenly Price was in front of him.
“Lady Daisy,” he crowed. “You’re even more beautiful than you were three years ago. How fortunate I am to have found you again.”
Daisy’s smile slipped and Blake fought the jealous anger that rose in his chest. Ailish had been a passionate lover with him, but on several occasions he’d discovered her flirting with other men, and one particular time, doing far more than flirting. That’s when the passion had died, and he’d begun to wonder if his father had been right all along. Blake was too rash.
Daisy nodded. “And you as well, Lord Price. It’s lovely to see you. How have the last three years treated you?”
He gave a stiff bow. “So much better now that we’ve been reunited. You must tell me everything about your life since we parted.”
Daisy’s eyes flashed, and her chin drew back. “There isn’t much to tell.”
Satisfaction relaxed his shoulders. She’d shared her past with him, but she didn’t seem to want to share with Price. He stood straighter as he held out his arm. “Lady Daisy, Laird MacFarland has chosen an easy route for us today. May I escort ye so as tae protect yer arm?”
Price made an audible harrumph as Daisy stepped around him. “Please, Laird Abbot. I appreciate your kindness.”
The moment her hand slipped into his arm, the tension in his shoulders eased. Despite the hurt Ailish had inflicted, Daisy was a different woman. There was something deeper
