Page 100 of To Love A Spy
Setting aside her book, she quietly slipped out the cabin door and made her way topside.
On the quarterdeck, the captain was busy barking orders to the helmsman, and aloft, the men were busy trimming the sails. The ship heeled as it headed out to open sea, leaving a trail of wind-whipped foam in its wake. Wishing to be alone, Valencia crept past the forecastle hatchway and found a sliver of deserted space near the bow of the ship. She laced her fingers in the shrouds and lifted her face to the gusting breeze. The ocean was choppy, its leaden hue mirrored the line of squalls hovering on the horizon. Salt spray stung her cheeks.
Or was it her own tears?
Merlins never cried, she reminded herself.
Never.Ever.They suffered pain and hardship in stoic silence.
But in the next instant a sob slipped from her lips as all her years of training came undone.
Valencia clung to the to rail, her nails digging at the varnished oak to keep from sinking to deck. And from there, to despair.
By the morrow, she would be headed home, back to her isolated island and lonely little cottage, surrounded by windswept rock, gnarled forest and farmland.
While Lynsley returned to London.
To a host of glittering balls and routs, a crowd of polished ladies and gentlemen. A world of wealth and privilege. There was so much there to keep him busy. The experiences they had shared would quickly fade, and become just another one of his adventurous tales.
And some day, a lady of his own class would convince him to do his duty to family and tradition. They would share a home, companionship . . . and children.
Valencia hated her already.
“Valencia.”
Strong hands were suddenly steadying her shoulders. She tried to spin away, but Lynsley enfolded her in his arms and hugged her close.Too close.The scent of bay rum and his male musk was overwhelming.
And suddenly all her Merlin training took flight, leaving her just a woman who had been foolish enough to fall head-over-heels in love.
“Valkyrie, what’s wrong?”
What possible answer was there to give?
“Your leg—is it in pain?”
No, my heart is breaking into a thousand little pieces.Stifling her sobs in his shirt, she shook her head.
“Tell me.”
Over and over, he asked, then finally fell silent and just held her tight, his hand stroking over her wind tangled hair. Oh, if only she could stay burrowed in his warmth, and never have to face reality. But no Merlin with a magic wand was going to sweep down from the heavens and grant such a wish.
“Sorry,” she whispered, when at least her tears were spent.
“Valencia, please tell me what’s wrong.”
Again she shook her head..
Lynsley tilted her chin up. “You must. There should be no secrets between us.”
“D—don’t ask, Thomas. All I have is my pride. Strip that away and I am not sure I could bear it.”
He framed her face, his broad palms full of warmth. “You have me, Val. I won’t let you fall.”
At his touch, his piercing gaze, she no longer cared about pride, about anything other than honesty
“Oh, Thomas, I shall strip away my defenses then. I was thinking of the future.”
He seemed to hold his breath.
