“As I said, I do not have much choice!”
He ran up into the pagoda and leaned out, his hand hesitating. After all, the only thing he could grab was her legs, and she was certain she was revealing more than just an ankle—two whole calves, at least, and possibly a knee.
“I… um… am going to catch your legs and pull you in,” he said awkwardly. “You will feel as if you are going to fall backwards, but you will not. I shall hold you securely. That is, if that is agreeable to you?”
Phoebe grimaced. “If I must say I do not have a choice for a third time, I shall die of embarrassment.”
“Very well.” Daniel hooked one of his legs over the balustrade and reached up, his arms encircling Phoebe’s waist.
All at once, she was transported back to that joyful morning, and the freedom of running around, searching for red stars. She remembered how she had stumbled, how frightened she had been of falling, and how… exhilarating it had been to feel him catch her and hold her, letting her know that she was safe, that he was there to protect her from harm.
And as he pulled her further into the pagoda, setting her on her feet within the safety of it, his arms still wrapped tightly around her waist, she felt the memory of his kiss on her lips. She remembered the intense look in his dark eyes just before he had kissed her, she remembered silently willing him to do it, she remembered how heavenly it had felt when he had, and she remembered feeling no remorse—for how could anyone regret the single most thrilling moment of their lives?
“Ouch,” she gasped suddenly, her palm throbbing.
His eyes widened. “Are you hurt?”
“I… think I grazed my hand,” she replied, looking down.
Sure enough, an angry red cut slashed across her pale palm, beading with blood. There must have been a jagged piece of guttering or a stone that she had not noticed.
Taking her uninjured hand in his, he led her to the pagoda steps and urged her to sit. But the moment she was seated, his demeanor flipped, his concern turning into anger.
“What were you doing up there?” he growled as he kneeled in front of her, aggressively plucking his handkerchief out of his pocket. “If I had not come along when I did, you might have fallen and caused yourself all sorts of mischief. Indeed, you might have broken your neck! What were you thinking?”
“I wanted to see the way out,” she replied. Then, she added coolly, “But why wereyouright there, when you were supposed to be asking the guests about Ellen? Did you… follow me?”
He met her curious gaze, narrowing his eyes. “I had finished speaking to the other guests when I saw you venture out into the gardens. I have told you before that I do not think it is appropriate for a lady to wander alone in the gardens at night.” He returned his attention to her hand, holding it in his as he began to wrap it in his handkerchief. “You could have died, Phoebe.”
Phoebe…
Her name had never sounded sweeter.
“Do not be dramatic,” she mumbled, her cheeks hot as she watched him tend to her hand, carefully tying a bow to hold the handkerchief in place. He could not have been gentler, his concern thawing her earlier anger. “I would have broken a limb, perhaps, but I would not have lost my life.”
Daniel paused, gazing at her in a way he had not done since the cedar tree. “If anything were to happen to you, Phoebe,” he scolded, “it would destroy me.”
“What?” Her mind swirled with confusion.
“I believe you heard me.” He hesitated, taking a breath. “And that is why… I have no choice but to marry your sister.”
For a moment, she wondered if he had not come to rescue her, after all, and she was lying on the ground, veering toward the brink of unconsciousness, suffering a fever dream. The blow to her chest was the same as a treacherous fall, winding her utterly.
Were you expecting a confession?
She realized it was a twisted sort of luck that she had not spoken to Joanna yet. Daniel had just made it very clear. Whatever Phoebe felt, he wanted none of it.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Daniel had not intended to reveal that he was following Phoebe. All he had wanted was to ensure that she and her sisters were safe and well, though, this time, evenhecould not convince himself that he was doing it for Joanna’s sake. This was all for Phoebe.
“None of it matters anymore, because you have gained my approval now. I consent to the courtship with Joanna. I consent to her marrying you if that is what you decide on. I consent to it all… So, consider this confirmation of you and my sister getting what you have wanted. I will not stand in the way anymore.”
Her words haunted him. They had pursued him through the labyrinth of the hedge maze. They had clamored in his mind as he had rushed to help her.
And now, he had just gone and agreed with the sentiment, though it was the very last thing his heart desired.
“It is the wisest choice,” he continued, “especially for you.”
