“You love me?” she breathed, her astonishment not abating.
His eyes were stunningly bright as he took her in his arms and drew her close. “Of course I do. Why else would I have trekked halfway across England for you, hiding out in barns and braving storms and enduring an utter lack of creature comforts?”
She peered up at him. “At the time you said it was to ensure my safety.”
“That was only a small part of my motivation. The greater reason was that even then I was falling in love with you. Regrettably, I was very late recognizing my feelings, since I have never been in love until now.”
“You love me,” she repeated in wonder.
Ash smiled at her amazement. “I do, sweet Maura, quite madly. I couldn’t help myself. I was drawn in first by your courage and determination when you stole your horse back from under Deering’s nose. Then, that morning when you went up against his brutes and bashed one with his own cudgel in order to protect me, I was certain I loved you. How many other genteel young ladies would risk such danger to save my skin?”
Maura shook her head in awe.
“I can see you don’t believe me,” Ash observed with a rueful sigh. “But I will prove my love for you, I promise you. I know you don’t feel the same for me yet, but—”
“You know nothing of the kind, Ash,” Maura said swiftly. “Of course I love you. How could I not, after everything you did for me? After what you did for my father?”
Ash grimaced. “I don’t want your damned gratitude.”
“Well, you have it, for eternity. But gratitude is only a small part of why I love you so dearly. There are countless reasons, not the least of which is your vexing protectiveness of me.” Reaching up, Maura wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. “But I want to make it clear, none of my reasons have to do with material things. I am not a fortune hunter like my stepmother. I love you solely for yourself, not your title and wealth or even your handsome appearance.”
His slow smile was pure magic, reflecting her own joy. Maura’s heart suddenly felt hugely full, brimming over with happiness.
Ash pressed a swift kiss to her lips, then drew back abruptly. “If you felt that way about me, why did you dissolve our betrothal?”
“To set you free. I was trying to be noble and not trap you in marriage.”
“I suppose your attempt to be selfless is admirable, but I want to be trapped, my lovely Maura. You are my perfect match, and I am never letting you go.”
Her brows narrowed. “You could have said something when I cried off instead of letting me think you didn’t want me at all.”
?
??You caught me off guard. And in fact, I was trying to be noble myself, letting you choose your own future. I didn’t want to impose my will on you.”
“That would be the first time you ever declined to impose your will on me,” she replied archly, although with a hint of humor. “I wish you had told me how you felt and saved me all these days of acute misery.”
“I should have done so,” Ash conceded. “Kate accused me of not knowing an inkling about romance—which is the prime reason I went in search of that blasted horseshoe. I thought the symbolism would be meaningful to you.”
“It is indeed,” Maura said softly. “But if you came here to propose marriage, you are exceedingly dilatory, my dear prince. What are you waiting for?”
Ash smiled again. “An excellent question.” His expression, although still warm, turned serious. “So my beloved Miss Collyer … For the second time in a fortnight, will you do me the immense honor of accepting my hand in marriage?”
“Gladly, Ash. With all my heart.”
“The perfect answer,” he said with that same tender solemnity. “We should seal our bargain with a kiss.”
Eagerly Maura complied, raising her mouth to his. However, what began as a tender consummation of their renewed engagement quickly blossomed into something much more heated. Desire flared and smoldered between them. Maura felt a fierce, aching need for Ash rise within her.
When she sank into his kiss, he pulled her even closer, his mouth taking hers with hard, quick urgency. That wonderfully sensual mouth could drive a woman wild, and this time was no exception for Maura.
At her responsive moan of pleasure, Ash’s breath turned to a growl in his throat. His hands swept down her back to caress her buttocks, bringing their hips together so that she could feel his rigid hardness through their clothing. Clearly they both yearned to satisfy the relentless hunger shimmering between them. His touch felt rough and almost desperate, which only increased the ache inside her.
She had missed Ash so fiercely. Missed his protectiveness, his charm, his wry humor, his blunt honesty, his tender enchantment, his passionate lovemaking …
Their embrace might have progressed to an even more flammable pitch if not for the sound of galloping hoofbeats behind her. Startled from her daze, Maura broke off and glanced back in time see Emperor skid to a stop.
To her astonishment, the stallion tossed his head, snorting and pawing the earth as if in challenge to Ash.