Page 69 of In Want of a Wife
“Worship me? That may be lovely for some, but no, I want someone to love me. Can you do that?”
He gazed down at her for a moment, his eyes burning. She felt his erection press against her hip.
Instead of answering, he bent down and kissed her for some time, but it was confession enough.
And she knew.
CHAPTER 11
Rafe hadn’t slept.
He couldn’t, not after what happened between himself and Lily hours earlier in the library. He had been so sure he knew how the world worked, and suddenly everything tilted the moment he slipped that ring on her finger.
Because it had felt right.
Not bringing her to Cliffstone to marry his brother.
But marrying her himself. Which in itself was absurd because he had sworn off marriage and women. He didn’t need those complications, and love was complicated.
“Please don’t wait so long to visit again,” his mother said, kissing his cheek. She stuffed a full basket of food into his hands. “Fresh scones for the journey.”
“I will be leaving shortly after we arrive at Cliffstone. I have business in London to see to, and if there is time, I will return before I sail again.”
The seagulls cut through the bright summer morning sky outside the cottage. Lily walked with Mari, examining the pots of flowers.
Lily in the sun, in the summer. The beautiful green of her dress matched the softly swaying grass leading around to the path to theocean. She hadn’t so much as looked at him during breakfast. But he couldn’t take his eyes off her or the way she floated about this morning, totally at ease at his favorite place on this earth.
“You will be returning to London?”
He tore his gaze off Lily to study his mother. “Yes,” he said curtly.
“Mari and I would love for you to visit again and, perhaps, stay longer if you’re able. Henry wrote to me about a promotion to captain, so I understand. The Navy is a demanding mistress.”
Rafe nodded, narrowing his eyes out on the horizon. “There is no need for me to be there once Lily and Henry are settled. I will have done my duty, and I think it is time I face what I left behind in London.”
“That is admirable.”
“Ma, I don’t have time for a lecture, and I’m sensing you want to give one.”
“No, no lecture.” She reached up and patted his cheek. “You will learn for yourself, and that will be heartache enough. Come home when you can and be kind.”
“To who?”
She stepped back and clasped her hands. He hadn’t noticed until now how the years had etched themselves upon her face. The way her laugh lines had deepened, the way her hair had silvered, the way her shoulders rolled forward slightly as if the pressure of bearing it all had finally forced her to buckle.
“Miss Abrams.”
Of course, he would be kind to her, he lo?—
He cared for her. That is all.
He cared for her and would see that she would be settled into a safe life, where she would publish her scientific texts without censorship or judgment.
She deserved that much in this life. To be her own, to follow her heart.
He didn’t wish to leave, but he called out, motioning for her so they could be on their way. Two more days, God willing, and they would finally reach Cliffstone.
Mari wrapped Lily in a hug first before Finn bounded over.
