She let out a sigh and shook her head. “I should have known.”
“What should you have known?”
“The reason why my friend felt comfortable thrusting us together out here. Leaving me alone on this island with you. She must have absolute trust in you and in your sense of honor.”
Taylor took a handkerchief out of her pocket to dry her face. If she hadn’t mentioned the word
Lightning flashed, lighting up the cracks around the door and the windows, and he could feel the thunder reverberate under foot. She clearly felt it too, and she shivered. He looked around at the cottage. Not much to it. A fireplace and a small stack of dry wood. A narrow bed. An ancient chest containing a blanket. He shook it out and offered it to her before crouching by the fireplace. A moment later, flames lit the room.
“Did you take part in their planning?”
He looked over his shoulder and found Taylor leaning against the door.
“I spoke the truth when I said Dermot used family as an excuse for sending me out to this island.” He rose to his feet, facing her. “Of course, I suspected and hoped other arrangements were in the works.”
“What kind of arrangements?”
“The situation we’re in right now never occurred to me, but I thought he’d find a way for me to see you. He knew I wanted, more than anything, to express to you my feelings.”
She pushed away from the door. Her steps were slow, and her gaze held his as she approached.
“Did you mean what you said to me outside?”
Rain pelted against the shuttered windows. The wind howled, and the fire flared in the fireplace.
“Every word,
She looked away, staring at the fire. “A wife to provide you with the income to continue adventuring while I’m left on my own in your castle?”
This was what lay behind her questions outside. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her as he spoke. But he understood her hesitation. Now was the moment to allay her fears or lose her forever. The time had come for her to know the truth.
“I have no need for your fortune. My estates are thriving. The people back home are well cared for. Everyone who lived through the ravages of Napoleon’s wars has suffered, but we recovered quickly. My people are feeling no hardship.” Bamberg needed her to understand he wasn’t like her father. “I’m not marrying for money.”
She was silent for a moment as her eyes caressed his face. “But…what about the rumors?”
“I started them myself.”
“Then why was it that you allowed my father to coerce you into calling on me?”
“You thought it was your fortune that enticed me? There was no coercing on his part. It was I who approached
Her chin dropped onto her chest. He saw her lift a handkerchief to her cheek.
“You will not be left alone at my castle. I want a wife who will be with me wherever I go, who will share a life
He finally had a chance to speak the words. His heart’s desire now lay open and unadorned at her feet. For these past few months, she’d been running, and he’d been chasing. But he’d never lost hope. Now that they were together, however, now that he’d placed his offer before her, he feared the answer. What if she didn’t find him worthy of her? What if this was not the life she wanted?
Then Bamberg looked more closely at the handkerchief in her hand as she brushed away more tears. He took a step closer and enclosed her hand in his. He had his answer.
“Let me see that.”
“You can’t have it back.”
She’d kept his handkerchief. He took a deep breath. Feelings of pleasure and relief battled within him. He pushed the wet strands of golden hair out of her face. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip.
“Taylor,
Her eyes were shimmering like sapphires when she looked up at him. She came closer.
