Darcy Branwyn

“I trust you,” Matthew said. “What bothers me the most is that both of you say things to me that I’m not allowed to talk about.”

“She told you things?”

“Down boy, not those things. But she tells me things about how she feels about you, and you tell me how you feel, but neither of you seem to be telling each other. She’s hurting, and clearly so are you. And don’t tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re not wrong,” he admitted.

“I’m no expert but maybe the next time you two find yourselves alone together you could try talking for a change.”

“We talk.”

“Not about what needs to be said you don’t.”

“You worry too much about us, while I need you to set a better example for her. Protect her that way.”

“Better…” He stopped.

“Show more discretion, please. I don’t like her being exposed to that.”

“Now that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

“There are no other women, Matthew.”

He seemed like he wanted to say something, and then he didn’t. “You talked of having a maid assigned to her.”

“No. I’ll have her to myself. No maid.”

 Matthew snorted. “Fine then. You tell her everything. Tell her you love her and that you want to make her Lady Ravenmore, and I won’t press it. But if you’re going to be a coward then I’m going to protect her heart.”

He didn’t like that. Any of it. “What did she tell you?”

“No. I promised her I wouldn’t say.”

“How can I know what’s wrong with her if you won’t tell me?”

“Oh, I don’t know. You could ask her.”

“I’m not sure she’d tell me.”

“It sounds like the two of you are a matched set.”

He was right. “We might be at that.” John stood. “Be more discreet around her for now, all right?”

“I will, and about that maid?”

“Fine. I’ll assign a maid to her.” But he wouldn’t promise that the woman would be with her all of the time. He had one key weapon in his arsenal against Alana’s pride and determination to save herself, and that was her lust for him. He wouldn’t stop touching her, and as soon as she seemed ready, he’d have her too. If he got her with child, then fine. Maybe through that bond he’d finally have all of her.

---