Page 39 of Married to the Rake

She made a sound of annoyance but did not ask him any more questions and allowed him to tug her along until they reached his horse. “Get on,” he ordered.

He suspected she rolled her eyes at him but he missed it. Even so, she climbed up on the horse with his help, settling at the front of the pommel and allowing him to get on behind her. He took the reins, enveloping her and settling her across his lap. With her soft bottom nestled into his lap, every part of him was on fire. He gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the subtle scent of flowers that came from her hair. Now was not the time to be thinking of all the devilish things he would like to do to her.

He rode at a gentler pace toward the spot by the river that was past either of their lands. An ancient stone bridge across the river and he brought his horse to a halt just by it. Dismounting, he handed Chloe down, and allowed himself just a few more moments of touching her until he released her to light the two lanterns that were set on poles either side of the bridge. They were rarely lit these days as the bridge was ill-used but it would be a lot easier to talk to her with a little light.

“You know, we could have waited and spoken at the border.” She folded her arms and gave a little shudder.

Brook grimaced and removed his jacket, throwing it around her shoulders even as she made a sound of protest. She quickly huddled into the fabric and Brook smiled.

“What is it?”

“I was just thinking how fine you look in my jacket.”

She frowned then yawned, covering her mouth with one hand. “What are we doing out here, Brook?”

He swallowed hard. There was a small chance he had not thought this moment through properly, however, he was never one to dawdle. He needed to act now.

“We need to fix this, Chloe.” He took her hand to lead her to the middle of the bridge and leaned over to look into the water.

She followed suit. “It was rather a disaster. I am not certain how we can fix this, however.”

“I have an idea.”

“Oh?”

He twisted to face her, and took one of her hands, urging her to meet his gaze. His hand trembled a little and his heart picked up its pace. He never imagined he would get to this point in his life, especially with a Larkin of all people. Especially Chloe Larkin. She was smart, and bookish, and a wallflower, and far more opinionated than anyone he had ever met. She was also funny and kind and dutiful. She was many, many things, and he suspected there was still more for him to find out.

“Brook?” She frowned at him. “What is wrong? If it is about today, we shall do our best to figure something else out. I know how much you want to repair the relationship between our families.”

“I do indeed.”

“We shall think of something. I will still help, I promise.”

He allowed himself a smile. He doubted anything other than what he had planned would resolve the matter. Perhaps even this would not work. But he had to try.

“I have an idea. In fact, I think it might be the best idea I have ever had.”

She chuckled. “Better than our fathers nearly having a fight in the middle of town?”

“Yes, perhaps that was not the finest of ideas. I think we underestimated quite how angry and willing to fight our fathers are. However, they will not be able to fight over this.”

“Fight over what?”

He kept her hand in his, and he wasn’t certain if she’d even noticed. It was ridiculous to feel so nervous about such a matter. How many brave and bold things had he done and never felt any nerves whatsoever.

“Well, it is quite obvious really.”

She made an exasperated noise. “What is?”

“We marry, of course.”

She blinked at him several times, slowly. “Marry?” she echoed.

Brook nodded. “It makes perfect sense”

“Perfect sense?”

He chuckled. “Have I broken you?”

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