me to want to stay alive.”
“Tell me what you learned from those papers.”
“Your uncle is supplying weapons to rebels in Armagh. It appears he delivers them to Drogheda where they are picked up at the port, likely sailed north from there. But your uncle is just an agent for someone more powerful, someone who obviously dislikes the Duke of Cumberland.”
“Who is that dislikes the duke enough to plot all this?”
“Lord Leinster.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know of him.”
“He’s an Irish nobleman, one of many who are eager to see Cumberland’s hold on the north of Ireland weakened. He holds little regard for the English monarchy and has made no secret of wishing to see them crushed and their power over Ireland removed. I’ll report this to the home office, but they’ll also need to investigate to be certain this plot doesn’t include an assassination attempt on the royal family.”
“They’ll ask you to be a part of this investigation, won’t they? You’re the only one who’s read those papers. They might not allow you to return here.”
He shrugged. “They can’t stop me from returning. I want Galahad back. More important, I want you. Nothing and no one will keep me away from you.”
She looked doubtful.
“Genalynn, I mean it.” He drew her into his arms and crushed his lips to hers, wanting to have one last taste of her, one last memory of her before he rode away. He would leave as soon as Throck returned and he was assured the man was no threat to Genalynn.
But he would come back for her within the fortnight. Sooner. He would come back and never be apart from her again.
Did she love him?
Would she have him?
He’d never uttered I love you to any woman in his life, but this is what he felt for Genalynn. He’d come back to her with a bride token and a special license.
He’d come back to her and marry her.
He ended the kiss and released her. “I love you, Genalynn.”
She had no time to respond before he heard the kitchen door creak open. Throck had returned. He spared a glance at Genalynn who was blushing, and her lips looked flushed and plump. There was no mistaking that she’d just been kissed.
She had drawn away and crossed to stand beside the hearth, busying herself and muttering something about preparing tea for them. Although she tried to appear casual, there was no mistaking she was ruffled.
This beautiful, clever young woman still had not learned to hide her feelings.
What would Throck do if he thought he’d lost her?
Chapter 10
Gideon was going to leave her.
Genalynn knew he meant every word he’d said about coming back for her, she felt it in the desperation of his kiss and the tension in his taut muscles. Mother in heaven! The man knew how to kiss a woman.
He knew how to hold a woman and make her feel precious.
But would the Crown allow him to come back? Would they send another to complete this mission? What if Gideon did return, but had a change of heart about marrying her?
Unable to help herself, she ran her hands along his muscled arms and broad shoulders, taking in as much of the glory of his body as she dared. She ached to sleep in his arms tonight, nestle into his warmth and strength, especially if this was to be their last moment together.
He would leave as soon as Throck returned, and it wouldn’t be long now.
She breathed him in, inhaled his scent of sandalwood and male heat.
“Gideon,” she whispered, almost whimpering because she wanted him so badly.
“I know, sweetheart.” He caressed her cheek, lightly kissed her closed eyes, and then kissed her on the mouth again, this time with exquisite gentleness and longing.
She absorbed the warmth of his lips on hers, the sweetness of his tongue as it slid against her lips and into her mouth to tangle with hers for a long, sweet moment before he released her. “Be safe, Gideon. Please come back to me.”
“I will, Genalynn. I love you.” He kissed her again and she held onto him with all of her being.
She wanted to tell him she loved him, too. But the kitchen door opened just then. Throck was back. Too overset to face him just yet, she turned away and busied herself putting water on to boil for tea. She took out plates and the remains of the mince pie they’d earlier had for supper. “Is anyone hungry?” She tried to sound natural and