Page 114 of Tempting the Highland Spy
He nodded his understanding. “You’ve financed her education.”
“Yes. My heart swells with pride every time I see her. She is a fine young lady.” Emotion swelled a lump in her throat. “She looks so very much like our mother.”
He continued to study the portrait. When he lifted his gaze, his expression was contemplative. “You’re eager to return to her.”
“I’ve tried to write to her every week. Of course, that hasn’t been possible since the incident in New York, the one when Mr. Jones dragged us into this investigation. I prayed he would not find out about Claire. I was terrified he would use her as leverage against me, just as he used Aunt Thelma.”
“I understand.” Harrison handed her the photograph. “I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you return to her.”
“Thank you.” She placed the portrait on the side table. “There’s something else. Another truth I must confess.”
He turned to her. “You don’t have to do this. There’s no need to prove anything to me.”
“It’s nothing like that… It’s not a confession, if that’s what you thought.” She inhaled and let out a long exhale, as if that might calm her rampaging pulse. “Well, I suppose it really is a confession of sorts.”
He held her hand in his and brushed a kiss over her knuckles. “Whatever it is, I want to hear it.”
“Very well,” she said, summoning her courage. This shouldn’t be so difficult. This shouldn’t make her feel like a kite that had somehow lost the string that might bring it back down to earth. “It’s just that…when you said letting me go would be the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do, it got me to thinking. Suppose I don’t want you to let me go? Suppose I want to be with you?”
He studied her for what seemed a long time, and then he plowed his long fingers through his hair. “I thought you wanted to return to America.”
“I do.” She looked away, glancing down at the pattern on the textured carpet. “But I’ve developed feelings for you.” Grace forced herself to lift her gaze to his. “I fear it’s rather hopeless, but you deserve to know—I’ve fallen in love with you.”
He pulled her to him, holding her tight. “I won’t lie to you. I have strong feelings for you.” Leaning closer, he kissed her again, the most tender of caresses. “You’re an incredible woman.”
Her heart stuttered with fresh hope. “I thought you might come with me to America…at least for a little while.”
Again, he studied her, as if she were some rare object he couldn’t quite puzzle out. He cupped her chin in his hand, his expression unreadable, as if he sought to memorize her features.
Grace’s eyes fluttered shut. She drank in his touch as his mouth claimed hers again. Passion blended with longing and regret in the kiss.
Without ever speaking the words, he was telling her goodbye.
Even as he caressed her, even as he explored her with his mouth and his hands, she understood the truth.
He would soon leave her.
A bitter pain burned in her heart. She wanted him so badly.
Not only for this moment.
Forever.
But fate would deny her that, the one man whose kiss she’d yearn for in the night, the one man she wanted above all others.
With what sounded like a sigh, he released her.
“I love you, Grace. You may not believe it, but I do.”
“Then stay with me…come to America.”
“Are you worried…” He hesitated, seeming to struggle for the right words. “Are you concerned that you might be with child?”
His calm, logical tone was like a dousing with icy water. She gave her head a brisk shake.
He caught her hands in his. “Grace, believe me when I say this—if you find yourself—”
Suddenly, his touch seared her to the bone. With a twist of her body, she pulled away, needing space. Needing air. How could he speak so coolly, so rationally, when her heart was aching for him? For the future she craved more with every breath?
