Page 27 of To Desire

“’Tis simply that . . .” He stopped. Looked at her in a way she’d dreamed last eve he might. It was a dangerous look, only made so because Liana had little control over how easily her heart could be lost.

Holding her breath, she said nothing.

“We will need to cross this river.”

That had not been what Darien intended to say. She was certain of it.

“There is a bridge that would add two days to our journey to reach. But I’ve crossed many times before. ’Tis possible.”

She looked at the river with skepticism. This was no stream, like the one they crossed before. Surely, they would be swept away in the currents.

“You will ride with me,” he said. “And we can pull your mount along. It is the safest way, and the final river crossing of our journey.”

Ride with him?

Liana nodded, knowing she had no other choice. The question was . . . which was more dangerous? Crossing the river before him? Or the fluttering in her stomach at the thought of riding beside the man she was destined to serve?

As he dismounted and walked toward her, Liana chided herself for asking such a question. There was no contest.

The river might as well be a trickle compared to the beating of her heart as he approached, a sure sign that Liana was, indeed, in trouble.