‘I know—but I love you. I don’t want to go back to Etton. Not any more. If you want me to go then you’ll have to drag me there in chains.’
His lips twitched. ‘I never wanted you to go. I doubt I’d have been able to go through with it anyway. I’ll just have to stay one step ahead of you in the future.’
‘You won’t have to. From now on we’ll make decisions together.’
‘Together. Speaking of which...’ His eyes flashed wickedly. ‘Everyone keeps telling me I ought to be in bed. If it hadn’t been for your sister I’d have been there already.’
She smiled eagerly, wriggling aside to make room as he lay down beside her.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if we had to stay here for days.’ He pressed his lips against the curve of her throat. ‘Recovering, that is.’
‘Days?’ She felt her pulse start to race.
‘Unless you have anything better to do?’
‘Nothing at all. Except appeasing an earl, maybe.’
‘We’ll find a way. There’s still time to recapture the rebels. If not...’ He shrugged. ‘So long as I’m with you, I don’t care. We’ll find somewhere else, or maybe go back to Danemark. I’ve been in exile long enough. I’d like to see my family again.’
‘I’d like that too.’ She nestled beside him with a sigh of contentment. ‘I love you. Norman.’
‘And I love you. Wildcat.’
* * * * *