Wild Star (Star Quartet 3)

Brent was looking at her with new eyes. He never denied that he’d been attracted to her from the first moment he’d seen her in San Diego, and no longer did he deny that he had endless lust for her. He’d admitted he felt fond of her, protective of her. The other, deeper, swirling feelings, he kept at bay. Yes, his fondness for her would be enough. It would not exceed that.

“How do you feel?” he asked, not coming into the room.

“I’m fine, really.”

“Good. Maggie told me that you ate a healthy amount for lunch.”

“Yes.”

He walked to her. “What is this? Don’t shrink away from me. I of all men won’t hurt you, God knows.”

Her eyes dropped, and she fiddled with the leather binding on the novel in her lap. “I know you won’t,” she said. “It’s just that everything is such a—mess. I don’t know what to do.”

“You don’t have to worry about anything now. The mess is in the process of being cleared up.”

“What do you mean?”

“Saint, Del, and I met with your husband and sister-in-law. Del is leaving today for Sacramento to have your marriage annulled. As for Ira and Irene, they will admit that the child is Irene’s, the father I suppose will become some sort of military hero who was killed before he and Irene could be married. You will not be blamed.”

She could only stare at him. “But it isn’t necessary, really, Brent. I have no intention of remarrying, I assure you. I’m leaving San Francisco. There’s no reason for them to—”

“Be quiet, woman.” He frowned down at her, turned, and walked to the fireplace, leaning his shoulders against the mantelpiece.

“Brent,” she said very calmly, “you know that I am leaving San Francisco. Why have you forced Ira to do this?”

“You’re not leaving,” he said shortly, almost angrily. “You, Byrony, have no more sense than a hummingbird. Just how do you think you’d survive anyway? The precious proceeds from that bloody necklace wouldn’t last long, you know.”

She raised her chin, a gesture he now recognized as digging in her heels. “I will do just fine, thank you. I do not intend to be anyone’s affliction in the future.”

Here he was making her angry. He hadn’t intended to. Where had she heard that “affliction” business? “Byrony, I want you to marry me.”

The novel fell to the floor with a sharp thump. She jumped from the chair, her fists at her sides, and stared at him in utter disbelief.

Some reaction, he thought, taking in her flushed face, to his very first proposal of marriage. “Yes,” he repeated, “I want you to marry me just as soon as your marriage to Ira is annulled.”

“Why?”

“Well, that’s short and to the point, isn’t it? I venture to say that there are many very valid reasons.”

What had he expected anyway? For her to fall to her knees in thanksgiving to him?

“I don’t think it would be a good idea,” she said finally. “You don’t like me, not really.”

That made him laugh. “Not like you? I can scarcely keep my hands off you.”

“That’s not the same thing, is it?”

He saw the pain in her eyes, the need for reassurance. Dear God, she thought so little of herself. “Do you care for me, Byrony?”

That damned gentle tone of voice. He used it to such devastating effect. “Yes,” she said. “I’m probably the biggest fool alive.”

He had no intention of reminding her that she could possibly be pregnant with his child. He could just imagine how she would react to that.

He shoved his shoulders away from the mantelpiece and walked to her. He clasped her shoulders. “Byrony,” he said in that same gentle voice, “I care for you too, you know. I want you to be my wife. I will try to be a good husband to you.”

He meant what he said. He wasn’t certain he could manage to keep that promise, but he intended to try. When she raised her eyes to his face, he saw that she believed him. “You are so lovely,” he said, and leaned down to kiss her. He felt her stiffen. “Don’t be frightened of me,” he said quietly against her pursed lips. “I won’t hurt you, I swear it.”

She thought with a sense of wonder that he was telling her the truth. He had no reason to lie to her. She wanted to tell him that she more than cared for him. She wasn’t exactly certain when it had come about, but she loved him. She pulled back slightly so she could look up at him. “Will you continue to insult me?”