Page 85 of Gallant Waif
“—and you glare and spit blue fire at me across crowded dance floors—”
“What do you mean, blue fire?”
Kate ignored that. If he didn’t know the power of his beautiful blue eyes, then she wasn’t going to enlighten him. She thumped him again, this time on the chest.
“And then you must drag me up on to your poor, smelly…”
“Smelly?” One arm went around her.
“Smelly, exhausted horse in front of men who I’ve known since I was a child, and then, with not a shred of shame about you, you must kiss me in front of—”
“It seemed to me you were doing a bit of kissing of your own,” he said, catching one small fist as it sailed perilously close to his jaw.
“And then, you great lout, as if that isn’t enough, you must bounce me over miles and miles of countryside—”
“And very beautifully you bounce, too,” he interjected wickedly.
“Andthenyou decide I don’t even deserve the courtesy of a proposal! When I’d already told you I loved you!” She collapsed furiously against his chest with a final thump.
He snatched her away from him and stared into her face.
“You what? You did no such thing!”
She blushed. “I did too.”
“When?”
She blushed a deeper, rosy pink. “When I told you I had everything here I wanted.”
He stared at her, dumbfounded. Then his eyes started to twinkle. “And I was supposed to understand from that that you love me?”
She nodded, embarrassed.
Suddenly he laughed, a joyous ringing laugh. “Oh, what a clod I am indeed! So clear you made it, and, stupid great lout that I am, I didn’t understand!”
“I did kiss you back,” she mumbled, aggrieved.
He stopped laughing and she could feel the warmth of his smile as he leaned close and gathered her back in his arms. Kate wouldn’t look at him. “Yes, you did, didn’t you? And very nice it was too.” He bent his head towards her, seeking her lips.
Kate pouted. “I’m not kissing any horrid kidnapper.”
He laughed and rolled back on to the grass, pulling her down on top of him. “Then, my little spitfire, will you kindly consent to kiss a man who is utterly mad for love of you? A man who has nothing but his heart and a run-down but very clean house to offer you. And, though he does not deserve you, he asks you most humbly and desperately to be his wife.”
She stared down at him for a moment and Jack was horrified to see tears welling in her beautiful eyes again. “Oh, no, my love, I’m sorry. Whatever I said or did wrong, I’m sorry. Oh, God, I’m such a clumsy fool, but I love you so much. Oh, Kate, darling, please don’t cry.”
The tears dripped harder, landing on his face. He kissed her wet cheeks, her wet eyes, her wet mouth. “Don’t cry, my little love. I can’t bear it.”
She looked at him through the shimmering veil of tears. “I’m sorry…”
His heart contracted unbearably.
“Sorry, Jack, darling…It’s just that I’m so happy…” she wailed.
It was so wonderful to be held like this, safe and warm in his arms, her cheek resting against his heart, her head tucked beneath his chin. She rubbed her cheek softly against the rough bristles along his jawline, and sighed with pleasure. She looked up and met his eyes, and the tenderness she saw in them warmed her clear down to her toes. After some time Kate forced herself to push him away. Reluctantly he allowed it. She sat up and straightened her dress. He lay there watching her, a tender, proud smile on his face.
“I’ve just thought of another reason for you to marry me,” he drawled.
“Hmm?”
