Page 32 of The Miracle of Love
“I am still angry with you for your boorish behavior. However, thank you. I mean it sincerely. Were there only four men? Or more of them trying to grab me?” Her face paled, no doubt as their narrow escape began to sink in, and she realized just how close she had come to being abducted. “I do not mean to make light of it. Four men? One would have been too many.”
“Grace, it is all right. You are safe now.”
She nodded.
Her hands began to tremble.
He could see his assurances were having no effect, so he hauled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “Just calm down.”
“But I am on your lap!”
“Good grief, I am not going to have sex with you. Nor will I kiss you again…at least not yet, anyway. I’m sorry if I was too rough when tossing you to the ground. Seriously, did I hurt you?”
“No, just a little dirt on my gown. That’s all. I am better now. You needn’t hold me.” She squirmed out of his grasp and settled on the seat across from him.
But he wasn’t better.
For pity’s sake, she was just an assignment.
So why was his heart still in a rampant roar?
One would think she mattered more to him than anything in the world. It was ridiculous. They had known each other less than a day.
Her eyes widened as she studied him. “Are you hurt? Forgive me, I did not think to ask you.”
“I’m fine, Grace. They did not set a hand on me.”
“But you threw some hard punches, did you not? You moved so fast. I also saw you kick that man hard in the gut.”
“There is no honor when someone is trying to kill you. He was reaching for his knife or perhaps he was reaching for you. He is fortunate I did not end his life then and there.”
“I see.”
“So now you know, I am no gentleman. One cannot afford to be in this line of work. A gentleman would not have saved your life just now.”
“Was it in danger? I thought they only wanted to abduct me.”
“Is this not frightening enough? Has it escaped your notice they were willing to kill me to accomplish it? Who do you think they were aiming at with their first shots?”
She reached out and ran a gloved hand gently across his forehead. “Thank goodness they missed you. Dear heaven, do you think I am admonishing you in any way? I am so sorry. Forgive me if I sound in any way unappreciative.”
“Don’t apologize to me. You’ve done nothing that requires it. I am the one who behaved like a boor toward you, just as you accused.”
She cast him a wry smile. “Well, you were very honorable in saving me and restored yourself despite that shocking kiss.”
“The kiss was tame…well, perhaps more ardent than I intended. I am not a saint, Grace.”
“I’ve noticed. But you are a Crown agent and did your job magnificently.”
He liked the idea of being honorable and magnificent for her. He had every intention of stepping up to protect her life and her reputation should it ever be required. Yes, her reputation. Only marriage would ever restore that. Not that he wanted to force her into an unwanted marriage, nor was he ready to be leg shackled to a girl he’d known for mere hours.
But he would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe.
He would at least give her situation more than a passing thought.
The little innocent had gone on earlier about expectations and sacrifice, obviously spouting whatever was written in the book she’d found atop his bureau.
It was beginning to make sense to him.
