Into The Mainland by Jo Grafford

Author:Jo Grafford [Grafford, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JG Press
Published: 2017-11-13T06:00:00+00:00

24

The Proposal

Several paces before I reached the perimeter of our new English colony, Riapoke's voice jolted me from my agonized thoughts.

"Ann-nes."

I whirled to face him, anxiously searching his face in the moonlight. Had he been informed about our pending marriage? It was difficult to read him.

His arms were crossed in front of his chest. A full moon kept vigil overhead, and the wide delta spread beyond his broad shoulders.

"I am s-so sorry, Riapoke," I stammered, reaching out to touch his forearm. "So sorry to draw you into this mess."

"Sorry?" His expression turned cautious, though he covered my hand with his. "You do not . . . wish . . . to marry me?"

He knew! Thank God he knew.

"Yes, of course I wish to marry you! Believe me. I—" I pressed my other hand to my chest, trying to catch my breath. I needed to stop babbling. With his fragile command of the English language, Riapoke was only picking up bits and pieces of my conversation. I was confusing him. "Do you wish to marry me, Riapoke?"

"Yes, Ann-nes." The proof was in his honest gaze. "You do not . . . seem . . . happy."

"I am." I am overcome. I can hardly breath. "I am honored." And lightheaded and fearful on his behalf. Anthony was out there somewhere with revenge in his heart.

Riapoke cocked his head and beheld me with concern. "Are you . . . well?"

I summoned my courage. "There is something you need to know about—"

Before I could finish my sentence, the furious conversation of two men floated our way. It was Anthony speaking to Ananias. "She was merely doing her job," he seethed. "'Tis not her fault if he attacked her. She cannot be forced to marry him."

Riapoke's expression darkened at the hateful accusation. Faith, but he understood more than I'd been giving him credit for.

I gripped his arm with both my hands. "That's what I was trying to tell you. I spoke to Anthony tonight. I told him I would never marry him, that he and I are not suited, but he wouldn't listen. He is trying to stop my marriage to you."

"He cannot."

Relief flooded me at Riapoke's adamant response. "I am glad," I whispered. "Very, very glad."

His arms came around me. He clasped me against him, pulling me to my tiptoes to claim my mouth.

The movement surely pained him, since my much smaller frame dangled against his injured torso. I wrapped my arms around his neck, attempting to ease pressure of my body weight against the site of his wound. Then all rational thoughts flew from my head.

Riapoke's kiss was not gentle and searching like before. This time it was a wild plundering. A staking of his claim on me. I tasted hunger, urgency, and desire.

Mindless joy battered my senses among a myriad of other sensations. I could only cling to him and ride the storm he unleashed.

"You . . . are . . . mine, Ann-nes," he said roughly, setting me on my feet at last.

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