Page 80 of All For You

We stood there staring at each other. He didn’t try to kiss me, but a deep longing radiated from him. Yearning for his touch burned slow and hot in my chest.

“Goodnight, Lizzy. See you in the morning.” He shoved his hands farther into his pockets as though trying to keep his distance. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

I tipped my head to one side, feeling like I was in a dream. “I’m so happy I’m here too. Goodnight.”

CHAPTER 35

Lizzy

The next afternoon, we loaded up water for an hour hike up a hill to the remains of a priory. Darcy brought Topaz LeStar. “She says she hasn’t seen the ruins yet,” he said with a wry smile. But after a short five minutes, Topaz jumped up on him, wanting to be in her doggy backpack he’d brought.

I giggled at the sight of Topaz’s funny little face poking at the back, regent of all she surveyed—and the fact that she had Darcy wrapped around her tiny paw.

“A woman who asks for what she wants—and gets what she wants,” I said, nudging him.

“I know,” he said. “I’m completely puppy-whipped.”

I reached to pet Topaz’s silky head, missing Oodles so much. As we started the climb, Darcy took a sip of water and cleared his throat, as if he was going to make a pronouncement. “So, in your Sotheby Sisters series, I’m guessing Clara’s older sister, Victoria, is the next to get her own story?”

Sometimes I was annoyed at these kinds of suggestions, but my lips twitched with a smile.

He rolled his eyes at himself. “I’m sorry. It must be bloody annoying to have people make suggestions. Bit like how peoplesay to me, why don’t you have a paintball thingy in the forest? That’ll cover all the costs of your estate.”

“A paintball thingy in the forest?” I gave him a look of mock surprise. “Why would you have any objection to drunk punters trampling the undergrowth and spraying red dye on ancient, protected trees?”

He laughed. “With kiosks dotted along the path selling sausage rolls? Yes, totally unreasonable of me.”

“Darcy, you are allowed to make suggestions about my next book, because you are a reader now. I always listen to readers.”

“Yes, you said that in the interview you gave in New York.” His eyes widened in alarm, maybe because he realized what he’d given away.

“You listened to that podcast?” I asked.

He stopped and closed his eyes. “Okay, full confession. How embarrassing is this? I’ve listened to all your interviews.” He winced.

“Darcy, I love that.” I pressed my hand to my heart. “That’s so endearing, truly.”

He gave a little smile. Our arms brushed, sending my blood skittering.

“Okay, in for a penny…” he went on. “I’ve had to stop myself from applying to your Facebook group. Which I’m sure your mother would decline most heartily with some scathing comment.”

“Darcy, you are becoming quite the romance fan.”

“Whatever I’m into, I’m all in.”

He gave me a steely blue look that melted me at the knees.

I was so overwhelmed, I reverted to humor. “I wonder what my mother would have said if you’d applied?” I mused.

“Begone,” he said, flicking his hand. “You addlepated, high-in-the-instep, dicked-in-the-nob scoundrel.”

I burst out laughing. “God, you have a good memory. That was exactly what my hero said, listing all the ways someone could be shite.”

He counted on his fingers. “Fool, snobby, mad. Dicked in the nob did not turn out to have the meaning I thought it might.”

I blushed. “My mother does not hold back.”

“I’m sorry how I reacted to your mother at the inn, truly. I didn’t know her, and I judged her immediately.”