Page 29 of To Desire

Lady Evelyn was everything expected of a match for the Earl of Ellsworth’s son—beautiful, poised and possessing a dowry that would secure their family’s alliance. Yet, there was little warmth in her gaze, little fire in her heart. He had as much desire to marry Lady Evelyn as he did to spend his days settling household accounts.

“A marriage to Lady Evelyn has been spoken of many times,” he admitted. “And yet.”

“And yet?”

“There are more pressing matters at hand.”

“When the succession crisis has ended?” she pressed.

Darien looked to the fire, considering her words. He’d pushed off his marriage for more years than his father would have liked. “I will need heirs,” he said finally, not convinced those heirs would be from Lady Evelyn. It was a good match, but not one he wanted.

When he turned back to Liana, their eyes met.

I could be the right man.

Would his father stop him? Darien had never been formally betrothed to Lady Evelyn. And none who knew of her abilities could argue that Liana would help him secure the future of Ellsworth and the Isle of Ely as much as any other alliance. But she would keep her true abilities a secret, so none would know of it. Would she be accepted as his wife?

“Of course,” she said.

This time it was Liana who looked away.

Surely, she was not wounded by his words. To be so, she would have to feel something for him beyond their relationship as earl’s son and seer.

“Liana?”

She continued to stare into the fire.

He moved close to her and, without thinking further on the consequences, Darien reached up to her face. Turning her chin toward him—a brief touch, for he pulled away immediately, as if he’d jumped headfirst into the fire—he watched as her eyes widened. Watched as she remained still while Darien leaned forward.

She did not move.

But something else did. In an instant, Darien was up, bow in hand, racing toward the line of trees around them. The moonlight was hardly enough to guide him, but the sound of broken branches aided Darien’s search.

The thought of someone in the woods, the armed men they’d met on the road or any other, a threat to Liana . . .

Darien’s heart raced faster than in any battle. He’d been on the precipice of certain death and had not felt as he did in that moment. Terror, unlike any he’d ever felt, gripped at his chest. If he were outnumbered? He should not have taken her. Put Liana in such danger.

He froze at the retreating sound to his right. Darien strained to see in the darkness, but could easily see that the deer was not a band of armed men. Lowering his bow, Darien stood there, regaining his breath.

Liana was not in danger.

His relief was short-lived as a second thought assaulted him.

He’d almost kissed her. Darien had almost kissed a woman he was bound to, one he could not marry. What had he been thinking?

He hadn’t. And that was the problem.