that I could kiss your lips every day of my life and never tire of you. That I could hold you in my arms every day and never have enough of you. This is what comes from experience. I know what matters and what doesn’t. I know something special when I see it, and you are that.”
“But we are so different. Doesn’t this trouble you?”
“It is all in how you look at a situation. You think we are very different. I think we fill in for each other what the other one lacks. It makes life far more interesting. We’d bore each other to tears if we were too much alike.” He heard Throck entering the house and climbing the stairs, so he released Genalynn. Their time alone was at an end, but hopefully he’d have the chance to be with her again tonight.
She smiled at him as she withdrew a pair of trousers from her father’s trunk. “I’d better start working on these.”
He nodded. “I’ll scout around the house and nearby hills. I want to make sure your uncle didn’t send one of his men back here to watch us.”
“What will you do if you find that he has?”
He avoided answering her as Throck walked in.
For his part, Gideon did not want to answer the question because it meant showing Genalynn a ruthless part of him that would no longer exist once he retired from service to the Crown.
He noticed Throck eyeing him warily, no doubt sensing something had passed between him and Genalynn. She was blushing, her cheeks a delightful pink as she left her bedchamber to retrieve the sewing basket she’d left in his room.
He returned Throck’s stare. “I give you my oath, I will never hurt her,” he told the giant as realization dawned on him.
Throck loved her, too.
Why hadn’t he seen it before? Throck was not fully in his right mind, so Gideon had thought of him merely as her dutiful, devoted servant. Obedient and faithful, but not capable of greater feelings.
Yet, Genalynn had saved Throck’s life just as she had saved his. She had been Throck’s entire world ever since. Now this giant of a man thought of him as competition. He probably feared Gideon would take away this angel they both loved.
Who knew what turn Throck’s thoughts might take?
Chapter 9
Moonlight spilled across the meadow and into the sea, casting a silver glow upon the water as Throck, Genalynn, and Gideon quietly made their way into town under cover of darkness. Gideon had scouted the hills around the dower house earlier in the day and was satisfied that Viscount Winthrop had not left men to watch his niece.
It was well past midnight and most of the town was quiet except for the taverns near the docks. Throck had agreed to go down there and gather whatever bits of information he could from the drunken sailors who were likely well into their cups by now.
Gideon doubted any of the serving wenches would talk to the hulking giant. There was now an aura of menace around him that hadn’t been evident before. He was jealous of the growing attraction between him and Genalynn, perhaps worried that Genalynn might agree to leave with him.
Mother in heaven.
Would Throck do anything to harm her?
He hoped not.
Take your anger out on me. Don’t hurt this angel of mercy.
“Throck, be careful in town,” Genalynn whispered, giving the giant’s hand a squeeze. “Don’t take unnecessary risks. Come home safely.”
He nodded and slipped away, his big frame instantly swallowed up by the darkness.
Gideon turned to Genalynn. “Ready, my lady?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He took her hand and put it to his lips, giving it a soft kiss.
“Do you do this with all your associates?” she teased.
“Only the ones I intend to marry.” He held her hand the entire while, even as they quietly entered her uncle’s house. The viscount hadn’t posted many guards and they’d easily eluded the few who were patrolling the grounds.
“Lead me to his study,” he whispered, still keeping a firm grip on her hand to ensure she remained close. He was afraid to let go and be separated from her as they crept through the darkened halls.
He had no fear for himself, of course. He was well able to handle any danger. But Genalynn was untrained and would have no idea what to do if her uncle’s men spotted her. Even if she were resourceful, she lacked experience. More important, she did not have a ruthless bone in her body. She