Page 44 of Shining Knight
“Think of the bugs, the malaria, being too hot and sticky to sleep at night.”
“Very well, spoilsport,” she said sharply, opening her eyes to look up at him. “Where would you suggest?”
“I think I would choose somewhere along the Mediterranean. You still have the warmth and sunshine but less of the annoyances. And mountains are nearby if you desire a change of scenery.”
“That does sound pleasant. I have always wanted to travel.”
“Realistically, where would you go? Just for a short repairing lease, mind you.”
“Now you make it sound as though I have lost an estate at the tables or killed a man in a duel.”
Graham waited for her to realize what she had just said. Eugenia often spoke before she thought.
“Oh, gracious! I might have done just that.”
“You were defending yourself. It is hardly the same thing.”
“To rational people, maybe. It is thetonwe are speaking of, Graham.”
“To return to my original question, where else would you go?”
“Perhaps to Heath’s farm in Kent, or one of the smaller estates if Rowley would allow it? Because we both know that he would know the moment I arrived there.”
Graham absolutely, without hesitation knew he should not say what he was about to. However, last night he had seen what Eugenia had suffered, and he knew he would do practically anything to protect her choice in the matter.
“I have a cottage in Bexley,” he said quietly, “not far from here. I go there myself when I need to escape.”
She dragged her feet to stop the swing and turned to look him sharply in the eye. “You would do this for me?”
“Only as your last resort,” he replied, holding her gaze. “And only if Knighton knows you are safe.”
She nearly launched herself at him, but he caught her. She clung to him as though her life depended on it, and he held her tight as her body began to shake with sobs. Graham had been contemplating marriage to some unknown lady, vaguely, in his mind, and he did not know why he had not thought of the solution before.
“You could marry me.”
