Lady in the Mist - Laurie Alice Eakes [84]
She doubted that she needed to trust God to trust others. Not true. She needed Raleigh not to lie to her, or at least tell her all of the truth. Or she needed to start a new life somewhere else, where everyone didn’t know her past, her follies, her failings. She needed to be far away from Dominick Cherrett and his tug on her heart.
She reached the square, and there he was, looming out of the mist, as he had that first night they met. He carried a basket in one hand and caught hold of her arm with the other.
“The mermaid midwife far from the sea.” His grin flashed through the gloom. “What are you doing out and about on such a day?”
“A lying-in.” Her voice was rough from so much talking over the past three hours. Her chest felt constricted, over full; the rest of her felt hollow enough to echo. “And what about you?”
“Delivering extra eggs to the parsonage.” He moved his hand from her arm to her face. “Are you all right? You couldn’t have enjoyed much sleep.”
“I didn’t, but there’s such joy in bringing new life into the world, my fatigue leaves me.”
She was discovering a new joy too, one born of a gentle hand against her skin, a voice she would recognize anywhere, a soft question about her well-being. Simply being near this man, despite all she knew, despite what she suspected.
“Are you all right?” she asked, wanting to prolong the interlude. “No trouble about last night?”
“Ah, well, a bit.” He laughed without humor. “I got caught.”
“Dominick.” She grasped his hand. “What happened? He didn’t . . . no, you wouldn’t be here. What happened?”
“It’s too cold out here to talk. Can you come in for some coffee?”
“If Letty doesn’t care.”
“Not Letty. She loves to feed people.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and headed around the side of Mayor Kendall’s house. “I’ll wager you haven’t eaten.”
“I had breakfast when I got in this morning.”
“Morning was eight hours ago. My dear, you’re going to blow away on a strong wind if you don’t feed yourself better.” He paused to open the gate. “After you.”
She hesitated. “Dominick, I’m happy to come in for some coffee, but I want to talk to you about last night.”
“Of course you do.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders and guided her forward. “Are you going to rake me over some very hot coals, or am I forgiven?”
“For what should I forgive you? You didn’t strike Raleigh, did you? Someone else was there.”
“Ah, so you believe that now. Why?”
“Because Raleigh dislikes you so much but won’t outright accuse you.”
“But you still have doubts about me, don’t you?”
“I—yes. You were still there.”
“I was. I want to tell you why. I need to—” Quieting, he took several more steps, then stopped in the middle of the kitchen garden. “My dear, I want—” He stopped speaking again.
“What is it?” She gave him an encouraging smile.
“You. How I feel about you.” With the aroma of mint and thyme rising on the mist around them, he slid his fingers into her hair, tilted her head back, and kissed her.
Unlike before, this was no mere brush of his lips on hers. It was long and deep and hungry. The world spun while she told herself to stop him. She dropped her bag and cupped his face in her hands while telling herself she should smack both his cheeks. She leaned toward him while telling herself she should run in the opposite direction.
“There.” He raised his head but kept his hand in her hair. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Then why did you?”
“Why did you let me?”
“I—” She licked her lips, tasting something sweet like strawberries and cream. “I always feel lonely after attending a lying-in.”
“I thought a birthing was a joyous occasion.” His tone teased her as his fingers toyed with her earlobe.
She swallowed, trying to concentrate. “It is, but then I have to give the baby to the mother.”
“I see.” He released her, leaving her colder than the mist. “Then you should marry Raleigh Trower.”
“You kiss me, then tell me to marry