Marriage Charade with the Heir by Carol Arens

Author:Carol Arens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2024-01-05T17:35:44+00:00

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Joseph kept a firm grip on Olive’s hand. Once he told her of the guests who were soon to invade Falcon’s Steep, she was bound to leap from this log and go home...leave him to his fate. He was not ready for that.

Not that holding on to her made a difference one way or another. He’d never had any intention of keeping his cottage lass forever.

Not that she was his, either. He did not know why he even thought that.

What he did know was that, in this moment, he liked the way her hand felt in his...small yet strong.

These were capable hands, he knew, as comfortable milking a goat as they were wielding a highwayman’s sword. He also now knew how her fingers felt twining through a man’s hair. Siren’s fingers they were, which could draw an unwitting fellow in for a kiss.

Not that he would consider himself all that unwitting, only drawn in.

In the end it did not matter, not now that everything was changing.

‘I beg your pardon, Joseph.’ When she glanced up, her eyes shimmered, bright and green. ‘I acted shamelessly and with Hortencia looking on, too. I am mortified.’

‘You were brilliant. No need to feel mortified. It was lucky you happened along just then, or she would have caught me.’

‘It was a near thing, wasn’t it? I did not just happen along, though. I was looking for you. When you and Hortencia were both missing for tea, I became worried.’ She wriggled her fingers out of his. ‘I suppose we should join them now.’

‘Not yet.’ Curse his tongue for turning to a clumsy lump. His brain searched for words. How was he to inform her that Mama had invited guests?

He had vowed to her this visit would last only a week. To ask her to remain in the lie for who knew how long was not acceptable.

It was not what she’d agreed to. Not what she deserved.

‘You look troubled,’ she said. A sweet-looking frown cut her brow. ‘Is there something else we need to discuss?’

‘It is the last thing I wish, and yet, yes, there is.’ He glanced over at dapples of sunshine riding the surface of the stream. This problem was not going to slide away on the ripples, so he looked back at her. ‘Tonight, after everyone has gone to bed, I will take you home.’

‘I know I was very forward with you a moment ago. Truly, Joseph, I promise, I have no intention of entrapping you.’ She slid along the log, putting distance between them. ‘You are safe with me.’

‘I know that. And I must admit, a moment ago...it was not all about Hortencia.’ He glanced over his shoulder. The grass was bent where they had lain. ‘I think we both recognized what was happening...but it is not why we must cease our charade. Something has come up, and I am certain you will not wish to be a part of it.’

He was silent for a moment, working up the words. It seemed to be a failing of his.

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