Page 47 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
“What is it?” she demanded, putting a hand to his shoulder and pulling him back to her.
“Alison,” he said, his voice full of fatigue and fear. “I love you more than you could ever know. And I will do anything to be with you. But please… let’s not do anything without thinking about it.”
“Think about it.” She scoffed and turned away, arms crossed over her chest. “Luke, I am willing to give up everything to be with you—and let’s be honest, I have a lot more to lose!”
“More to lose?” His incredulity made his voice rise a pitch. She had never dared make such an insinuation before and he had always believed she thought the same as him—that status was nothing more than the luck you were born with. That their lives, though different, were equally valuable.
How dare she.
“Your life is so much better than mine, is it?” he asked. “Your family somehow of more value?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head, her brow furrowed deeply. “No, that’s not what I am saying. I’m sorry, I just… I am scared.”
He could see the desperation in her, the shock at her own words, and although he wanted to hold her and make her forget everything, he couldn’t bring himself to approach her.
He sighed, closed his eyes for a moment.
“I know,” he said softly.
“I’m frightened,” she muttered, not meeting his gaze.
“Me too,” he said.
“What if nothing works?” she asked in such a quiet tone that he wasn’t sure he’d heard her. “What if I marry the Earl and we are separated forever?”
He opened his eyes and pulled her into him, until they lay back on the hay, she with her head on his chest, his with his arms around her. He stroked her golden hair.
“I won’t let that happen,” he said. “And I am truly honored that you are willing to give up everything for me.”
“But you’re not willing to give up everything for me?” she asked, not looking up. He could feel the tension throughout her whole body and her voice was weak with tears.
“No. I mean, yes, I am. I’m only saying, we need to think it through properly. Not do anything rash.”
“But we must not dawdle, either,” she said. “For otherwise, I shall be wed.”
