Page 53 of Singing For His Kiss

They were similar. Both were sensitive, giving and thoughtful, but where Hanna was polished and groomed, Elizabeth contained a spark of life that had long been missing from his. It was a gift he wanted to return.

“If you’d like to, I know a couple of singing professionals who could give you some tips about your singing.”

She waved her hand as though brushing his suggestion aside. “I think they’d have much better things to do than waste their time on me.”

“When they hear your voice, I know they’d love to help.”

“Be serious.” She made a face at him.

“Elizabeth, I am being serious. I might not be able to sing, but through Hanna, I’ve heard plenty of voices, and I’m telling you that you have a talent. It’s raw at the moment, but with a little training with the right people, you’d be surprised how far you could go.”

She shook her head. Auburn curls bounced around her face. “I can’t possibly afford lessons.”

“What made you think I’d expect you to pay?”

He was confused for a moment; then, of course, he was so daft. She expected to pay. She’d been paying all her life. That was the life she was used to. Where nothing was given without an exchange being expected. To her, that was normal. To him, it was abhorrent. It made him wonder about her life, her experiences, the knowledge that people gave only if they wanted something in return. That when people cared, they wanted to give.

“It’s my pleasure to offer this to you…without payment.”

Confusion washed her face. “Why?”

This was the selfish part. Because she gave him joy. Something that was long missing in his life.

“I like hearing you sing.”

“You do?” Hope glimmered in her eyes, as though receiving praise was totally foreign for her. Of course it would be.

“Of course. You’re doing me a favour. Bringing music back into my house. For Madeline.” If she thought it was for Madeline instead of him, she might consider. “Just think about it. If you’d like me to arrange a lesson, let me know, and I’ll do it. Okay?”

“I’ll think about it.”

A hint of a smile touched her mouth. So soft. So gentle. She deserved far better than the life she’d been dealt, and he wanted so much to change it for her so she didn’t have to wonder how she was going to pay for favours. Indeed, that she even should pay for favours. She’d just be able to accept them in the manner in which they were given.

The breeze buffeted her hair, and she lifted her hand to tuck a strand away from her face. A look of stark horror washed over her features as she stared down the beach. The colour from her face drained, and the breath stuck halfway in her throat.

“Elizabeth? What is it?”

Her eyes darted to his, her pupils so large they bled out all colour. “We…we have to go.”

He frowned. She’d been enjoying herself and then just like that, a switch had been cut off. The bright spark plunged into darkness.

“What’s the matter?” He couldn’t think her reaction was because he’d offered music lessons.

“We have to go. Now. I…I feel sick.” She couldn’t hide the tremble on her voice or the way her hands shook as she tugged on the reins and turned her horse about.

Sick? She had turned a sickly shade of pale, but that didn’t make sense. Maybe there was another reason for her abrupt change of heart.

He looked about, but all he could see was a dark figure on the beach, rounding his shoulders against the brisk wind. Madeline waited on her horse, watching Elizabeth retreating back the way they came. He called for his daughter to follow before turning the horse about and retracing their steps.

Elizabeth cast a nervous glance over her shoulder. Her gaze went past him, but when he looked back, there was nothing there. Not even the solitary man on the beach.

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