But he suspected she was only now beginning to see the ramifications. She was just now beginning to understand that the life she’d been meant to live might never come about.
She might just end up a scandal. Or worse, stuck with a man like him.
“I-I…Y-You—” Her voice was edging up, and her breathing was coming in dangerously shallow gasps. Her eyes were unfocused and her hands fluttered helplessly at her side.
And all at the thought of marrying me.
He tried not to take it personally, he truly did. “Hush, Delilah,” he said, taking a small step forward, afraid of alarming her further, but wanting to comfort her all the same.
For a man who’d eschewed polite society to build a life of independence, competence, and strength, it was a rare moment indeed to find himself so incredibly…useless.
When she didn’t try to back away he took another step forward. Her eyes were darting about and her breathing was growing so erratic, he feared she might faint. “There, there.” He reached out to pat her arm. It was meant to be consoling but just seemed rather awkward.
He wasn’t sure what his problem was. Twice this afternoon he’d held her in his arms, more intimately than he’d ever held anyone, truth be told.
But that was before he’d gone and mentioned marriage. And now…
Well, now it was impossible not to look at her and imagine what it might be like if he could hold her like that at any time. Not because she feared for her safety, not for any particular reason at all. But just because she was his to hold. To protect and to cherish.
The air rushed from his lungs as a wave of emotion hit him like a tidal wave.
Never before had he even contemplated marriage, and now it was all he could imagine.
More alarmingly, it was all he wanted.
But not just any marriage…
Her wild gaze finally met his and his heart stalled in his chest as something seemed to pass between them, a physical but invisible connection that had his heart stuttering back into action with a painful thud against his ribcage.
He wanted to marry her.
To his surprise, she took a step toward him, her hands reaching out until they were pressed to his chest. “What am I going to do, Mr. Calloway? My life is over.”
He wasn’t sure what affected him more. The pitiable words or the feel of her touch as her fingers pressed into him, clutching the fabric of his jacket like a lifeline.
She needed him. Maybe not forever, maybe not even after tomorrow, but for now, she needed him to be strong for her.
And with that thought, his wounded pride was forgotten, and his selfish wishes pushed to the side.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in closer. “We will figure this out,” he said softly. His voice was firm. It was a promise. A vow. And one he meant to keep. “I will never let Everley harm you.”
“But he’s to be my husband,” she said, her voice little more than a whisper. “My father promised me to him. And you said it yourself. It is my suspicions against a gentleman’s word. No one will believe me.”
He watched her throat work as she swallowed. “My own father might not believe me.” She shut her eyes as she clearly struggled for control. “He might not care.”
He had no idea what to say to that but his heart broke at the pain that flickered across those beautiful, delicate features. He doubted anyone had ever seen this strong, proud woman so vulnerable, and the thought that she was opening up to him, of all people, was humbling, even as he told himself that it was only because he was here.
He was her only option.
Her eyes fluttered open and once more he forgot all about reason and all about pride. “What if he comes after me again? What if my father insists on the wedding?” Her voice was growing hysterical again and tears now welled in her eyes.
Everything in him ached with the need to help her. To calm her. To…distract her, at the very least.
“What if no one believes me? What if—”
He kissed her.
They both froze as his lips crushed hers. What was he doing? He didn’t know. And at this particular moment, he didn’t care. The scent of her, the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her soft lips…
All combined, it washed away every intelligent thought in a heartbeat.
Her lips parted slightly on a gasp and he moved against her, tasting her sweetness, teasing her until she kissed him back. Lightly at first. Tentatively. Her hands still pressed to his chest, she came to life in his arms, slowly and exquisitely.
He forced himself to move slowly, keeping his hands on her back as he explored the softness of her lips, as he reveled in the sweet intimacy of her breath mingling with his.
Her fingers curled into his flesh as she leaned forward, deepening the kiss as their lips clung together, no longer teasing but tasting. Exploring.
The summer heat had nothing on the flow of lava in his veins that made him feel possessed with the need to hold her closer, to kiss her deeper, to clutch her to his heart and never let go.
The sound of a servant in the hallway, heading toward the stairs to ready a room for his guest broke through his haze and had him pulling back reluctantly.
Her breathing was still uneven, but she no longer looked like she might faint. Her eyes were still closed, her lips still parted—
Perfection. She was utter perfection.
When she opened her eyes, he saw her surprise. No doubt it matched his. It wasn’t as though he’d planned to kiss her.
She blinked once. Twice. Then she took a step back and he dropped his arms to let her go.
“What was—”
“Go get some rest, Delilah.” He cut off her questions…questions he wasn’t quite sure how to answer. “Mrs. Tate will show
