Page 78 of The Moonstone Pirate
Draco did not think it was possible.
Her gentle trill of laughter brought him out of his thoughts. “Are you just going to stare at me, or were you about to say something?”
He tweaked her nose. “You look pretty today.”
She blushed.
Imogen was a wonderful mix of compassion, intelligence, and quiet strength. At times, her compassion would set her off, and she would cry too easily. Lord help him, but he liked this about her, too. He could not blame her for feeling another’s pain and caring enough to help them.
She was clever, as well. If not for her fine instincts, he would never have uncovered the identity of key players in the rebel plot so quickly. She still provided helpful information because she was always alert to the littlest details and knew how they all fit together.
Nor did he doubt her strength.
Oh, she was no mythical warrior goddess.
She washisbutterfly.
“I have a request to make,” he said as they strolled up the small hill surrounded by a gentle breeze.
“Do you want me to dig up old newspapers and read through them? See if I can find gossip about the Trewicks or Driscoll and his friends? Or Healey and Burke?”
“No, it isn’t about that. I know you have been doing a bit of digging and come up with nothing of interest on any of them. You would have told me if you had found something.”
She stared up at him. “You knew? And didn’t chide me? How did you find out?”
“Thaddius told me. He noticed you going through old newspapers stored in the inn’s library. I didn’t say anything because it kept you out of mischief and was, in truth, quite helpful. He is an enterprising fellow, is he not? Seems the Kestrel Inn serves not only as an inn, but a postal office, a newspaper office, and a village library.”
“Thaddius is a remarkable fellow,” she agreed. “So, if your request is not about the investigation, then what is it about?”
“You.” He wanted to give Imogen something special, a gift because he loved her. Something to show his appreciation for all she had done for him and his family. He dared not choose it himself, since he was not in the habit of showering women with jewelry and would probably select something hideous that she would hate.
“Me? Care to elaborate?”
“My staff is still talking about your poise when those pirates sailed into the Woodley cove. They were calmed by your steady presence and touched by your concern for them.”
“We spoke about this before, Draco. I wasn’t going to escape in your carriage and abandon them.”
He touched her hand lightly. “What you did for them requires more than mere words of gratitude.”
His comment obviously surprised her, and she grinned. “So I am to be specially thanked for a job well done? You know it isn’t necessary.”
“It is, Imogen. I have been an oaf to you so much of the time.”
Was there any doubt she would make him a perfect countess?
“Draco…do you love me? Is this what you are trying to say?”
Yes, he adored and worshiped her.
He could not get enough of her.
“I cannot answer that yet.”
“Oh. Are you still thinking about it?”
“A lot, Imogen.” He would propose to her once his assignment was over. He had even written a love letter to be delivered to her if he did not survive this rebel plot. Him! A love letter? In his wildest dreams, he’d never thought he would do such a ridiculous thing. Of course, he looked forward to burning it the moment the plot was foiled and he was free to reveal his true feelings in person. “I need you to do something important.”
She gazed up at him as they walked along. “Anything—what do you need?”
