“Thank you.”
“Now, are you ready to leave or do you have further conditions?” He presented his arm with an elegant flourish. He was at his most lordly, his deep voice clear and crisp. No trace now of her ardent, tender lover.
He was furious and hurt at what he saw as her betrayal. She’d had an unfair advantage. When she bartered his cooperation for her safety, she’d known she’d win. Now the sun rose high in the sky. Must rancor contaminate their last memories of each other?
She ignored his extended arm. She didn’t want him to escort her back to the cottage like a stranger. “Matthew, is this how you want to say goodbye?” she asked in a small voice.
“Grace, you test me to my limits. You know what we’re about to do. You know why we’re doing it.” He didn’t sound angry anymore. Instead he sounded deathly unhappy, which was worse.
The guilt that had tortured Grace since she’d stolen his private papers twisted in her belly like a snake. This was for his own good, she assured herself desperately. She couldn’t tell him the full extent of her plan or he’d stop her. She knew that as she knew she loved him.
“It breaks my heart to leave.” She blinked away tears.
His smile became more natural a
nd he reached out to take both her hands loosely in his. Beneath his smile, he still looked tired and sad.
“You have my promise. I’ll do nothing to change my situation for six months. Now let us make peace, my love.”
He’d always been so generous, even when he believed her his enemy. How could she bear it if she failed him?
If she thought about that, her courage would shrivel to nothing. She needed every ounce of courage to escape. Although not as much courage as he needed to stay.
“There will be no peace for me until you’re free,” she whispered, her heart brimming with misery.
His face sharpened with grief. “Don’t, Grace. Run as far as you can and forget me.”
She didn’t bother arguing. What was the point? Nothing would deter her. “Kiss me,” she said in a broken voice.
Very gently, he took her face in his hands. At first, his lips were cool but heat soon overcame restraint. He took his time, savoring her as if she were his last meal.
She trembled and opened her mouth. She couldn’t bear this parting. She couldn’t. Only the fragile hope that she could rescue him kept her from begging him to let her remain.
As his tongue drove into her mouth, he snatched her up against him. She twined her arms around his back and kissed him with equal hunger.
There was passion. And sorrow.
Above all, there was love. Love burning like a flame.
She wanted to stay in his arms forever.
It was impossible.
Danger awaited her. Untold suffering awaited him. He’d said little about the consequences of what he meant to do. She knew enough to guess. And he’d face the aftermath without her. She felt as though she deserted him on the field of battle to face an invincible enemy alone.
Gradually, the frenzy abated. The kiss ended as it had begun, in gentleness and regret. He drew away and she glimpsed tears in his eyes. Tears he was too proud to shed.
“I love you, Grace.” It was a vow.
“I love you, Matthew.”
“It’s time.” He looked as somber as she’d ever seen him.
“Yes.” She stretched up and kissed him once more. Quickly. Because if she lingered, she’d never leave. “God keep you, my darling.”
She turned and ran blindly back toward the cottage.
Matthew waited hidden in the trees near the main gate, Wolfram a silent, devoted sentinel at his side. Grace had left him half an hour ago.