He looked surprised and disappointed. “Why not?”
“Because… well, it simply isn’t proper. We should not have… that is to say, we are not betrothed or married and actions such as this are only appropriate between.…”
He shushed her. “Do you think I would have kissed you like this if I did not have something more in mind? Really, Elizabetha; for an intelligent woman, you are rather dense.”
The almond-shaped eyes widened. “W-what?”
He kissed her again and let her go. “Think about it,” he said, turning for the great hall. “I would check on my men now.”
“Wait,” she found her voice, grabbing him by the wrist. “You will be plain, Sir Tate. What do you mean?”
He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, turned her head slightly, and kissed her on a dirty cheek. “Must I really explain this to you?” he whispered in her ear.
Toby was left breathless again by his kiss. “You must. I insist.”
He grinned; she could feel his teeth against her cheek. “Where do you want to go first? Paris or Rome?”
“You are going to escort me to those places?”
“As your husband, it would be my pleasure.”
Toby thought she might faint. In fact, she had to swallow very hard and take a very deep breath. “Good Lord,” she breathed. “Do you mean to say that you plan to…?”
“I have for quite some time.”
“But…!” There were tears in her eyes. “But… what about everything you said about my horrid manners? You told me it was an appalling trait. Moreover, you are above my station. You are… my God, you are…youcannotmarry me.”
He was laughing; she could feel it as he continued to nuzzle her cheek and ear. “I can marry whomever I wish,” he murmured. “I think we are a good match, you and I. Do you disagree?”
She closed her eyes at the realization of it and tears coursed down her cheeks. He felt the moisture and looked at her, concerned.
“What is the matter, sweetheart?” he asked gently.
She was trying not to weep from sheer joy. “What about my terrible disposition?”
His soft laughter returned. “Forgive me; I spoke before coming to know you. I know now that you are simply a woman who speaks her mind and I respect that.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure enough that I am delighted with the prospect of spending the rest of my life with you.”
The most amazing expression filled her face as the tears began to magically vanish. “I simply cannot believe it. I would never dare to hope.”
He was smiling sweetly at her. A big hand brushed hair from her face as he studied her very closely. “And I would never dare to hope to find a woman like you. You are a remarkable lady, Mistress Elizabetha. I think that I shall enjoy this marriage very much. At least, I hope so.”
She returned his smile, timidly. “I do not know what to say to all of this.”
“It is simple. Say that you will marry me.”
Her smile faded as her eyes grew intense. “If you want me, then I most certainly will.”
His hand tightened on her face and he brought her to his lips for another gentle kiss. Toby was breathing unsteadily as he moved from her mouth to her nose to her forehead. It was the sweetest gesture she had ever experienced and a magic moment in the making. After several long seconds of touching, of tasting, Tate finally let go of her face and gently took her hand.
“Come along now,” he said. “I have wounded men that I would like to see.”
Toby followed him into the hall and made his rounds with him, but her focus wasn’t on the injured men. It was on a mountain of a man named Tate de Lara she suddenly found herself betrothed to.
*