pushed it away from the edge, it would pitch him to the ground.
She imagined his lifeless body sprawled on the paved floor beneath. It would be a fitting end. Except she could not make herself do it. She wasn’t the murderer here.
His head appeared above the floor. He raised his lantern and she saw his dark ruffled hair, a face reddened by the wind, eyes filled with fury as he took her in. He leaped over the edge and stood before her. He set down the lantern, peeled off his gloves and stuffed them in his pocket.
Trapped. She backed up into the shadows, the blood rushing in her ears. They were all alone. What had he said that first day? If I wanted to do away with you, I would not do it in front of witnesses. There were no witnesses now.
She’d played right into his hands by running.
His expression softened. His mouth turning sultry as he shook his head. ‘You didn’t think I would let you leave me, did you, sweetling?’
Bewildered by his words, she stared at him.
‘You little fool,’ he whispered tenderly. ‘Why won’t you trust me?’
She trembled at the sound of his voice. Shuddered from the cold in her bones. ‘Say it again.’
He raised a brow. ‘Trust me?’
‘No.’ Her voice shook. She could not imagine why she felt so desperate. So hopeful. ‘Say “you little fool”. Say it the way you did just now.’
A small smile curved his lips. ‘You little fool,’ he said softly.
It sounded nothing like the voice in the mine. His voice had its own special raspy quality she would recognise anywhere. He could not have been the one who had pushed her into the mineshaft. Could he? Her heart felt so certain, even if her logical mind refused to believe.
Which did she trust most?
There was a light in those pale-grey eyes, gladness mingled with the shadows of concern and something softer, more heartwarming. If she hadn’t felt so cold, she might have been better able to understand what it was, but she was freezing, her body shaking, her teeth ready to chatter if she said one word.
She was too cold to feel fear.
‘I—I’m s-s-sorry...’ she got out.
‘There will be time enough for sorry later,’ he said, moving towards her.
Backing up, she tried a scornful laugh through her shivers. Pure bravado. ‘I mean, I’m s-sorry you found me.’
His answering smile was so bright, steel-edged and glittering, her heart lurched. ‘Not sorry enough, my dear. I can promise you that.’
He yanked her close, holding her tight with one arm around her shoulders, his mouth coming down hard on her lips. His tongue plundering the depths of her mouth. A punishing kiss. Searing. Possessive?
She certainly felt possessed, mind and body. Wild. Feverish as she responded to the hot pleasure of his kiss with a moan in the back of her throat. She didn’t want to respond to him, to yield to the strength and his heat. Her mind knew it was a mistake, but he’d found her, and there was nothing she could do about it. It seemed she was helpless in the face of his seduction.
She couldn’t fight the feelings inside her any longer. The traitorous longings. She twined her hands around his neck, felt his heat wash over her and breathed in the scent of snow among the essence of him. She loved the way he smelled. She let herself sink into the darkness of so many sensations she felt overwhelmed. Excitement. Longing. Desire.
His large hands roamed her shoulders, her back. It felt so good to be held. To feel the connection that strengthened with each passing moment. More especially delightful was his warmth. He pushed back her hood and cradled her face in his wonderfully warm hands. He pulled back from her, breathing hard. ‘My God, you are freezing.’ He touched her shoulders. ‘And soaking wet.’
‘It was snowing,’ she said.
‘I ought to put you over my knee and spank you,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘Do you have any idea how dangerous it can be wandering the moors in weather like this?’
‘It is safer than staying at the Abbey.’
His dark brows lowered in a frown. ‘Are you saying I can’t protect you?’ He sounded furious. And frustrated.
She stiffened. ‘Protect me from whom?’
‘From yourself.’
Without another word he picked her up in his arms and made for the ladder. ‘Put me down,’ she gasped. ‘You will fall.’
‘Let us hope not,’ he said through gritted teeth. ‘Hold on.’
He let go of her with one hand, reached