“What did you mean by it?”
“There’s no hidden meaning there, Lil Bean, just words you’re smart enough to understand.”
She rubbed at her eyes. “I cried once already this morning, and I won’t do it again.”
Every muscle in his body went rigid. “Youcried?”
She sniffled and looked up at him with watery eyes. “It’s nothing. Just emotions.”
“Damn it tohell, Lil.” He scooped her up and plopped down on the nearest piece of furniture. Something comfy enough with a bevy of cushions and pillows. “Don’tcry.”
She sat stiff in his arms, her bottom pressed warm and cozy, arousing against his lap, among other things.
“I’m just very confused of late.”
“Why would me saying I should have pursued you already add to that?”
She rolled her eyes heavenward. “Because you did not even know I existed, and writing that letter, which I’ve been worrying over for months, apparently brought me to your attention when I thought I was still…” She searched her mind and the room for the right word. “Incognito.”
“Nope. Not incognito. Not invisible. You were just like all the other ladies, a bit of a vague outline to be respected and feared. I wasn’t ready to take a wife. I wouldn’t be now if it weren’t necessary.”
“It’s not necessary, Devon. I told you, you can do as you please.”
Do as he pleased. What pleased him? He wanted to buy Frederick’s and provide for himself. He wanted to perfect his invention and do… something with it. The Clarkes would know how to proceed.
And he wanted… he wanted to marry Lillian Clarke.
He pushed her hair out of the way and pulled on the end of the ribbon only barely tying her hair in place. “Are you angry enough with me to refuse to marry me? I am sorry. I know I should have told you, but by the time I’d decided the letter didn’t matter, that it was actually helpful to me, I didn’t want you angry at me. And it was fun to tease you.”
“I am angry. But…”
He wrapped the ribbon around his hand and brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “But?”
“I suppose I wrote the letter and started the entire fiasco. It was not my business to lecture you like that.”
“I deserved it.”
“I’ll not argue with you, but—”
“No buts. I deserved it. And you deserved the truth.”
“Perhaps we’ll call it even?”
“You tell me.”
She breathed deep, finding, apparently, her lap entirely fascinating. “Yes,” she said without looking up. “Even. But…”
“We’re here again, are we?”
“I’d better let you go.” She made to rise.
He held her tight. “I’m not going anywhere right now. Don’t see the need to. Haven’t kissed you yet. I owe you a kiss every time we meet.”
“Or a dare.”
“I suppose so, but I’d rather—”
“I’ll take the dare. Or rather, I’ll dare you.”
