Chapter Forty-six

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Dawn had not yet touched the sky when Daphne rolled over and blinked at her husband. Yes. He was her husband now. Officially. After what they’d done last night, he was most definitely her husband. And what a gorgeous husband he was. She smiled to herself and then hid her smile in the pillow.

She drifted off to sleep last night telling herself that while he might not have been able to tell her he loved her yet, he had to feel differently about her now. He just had to. She felt differently about him. Before last night she’d only been a little in love with him, but now, now, she was positively head over heels. That’s why she’d told him as much. She stared at his features, softened in sleep. His perfect straight nose, his eyebrows that were a bit darker than his hair, the cleft in his chin. She lifted a finger to trace the outline of his cheekbone. He caught her hand in the air.

“I thought you were asleep,” she whispered, laughing. “Your eyes aren’t even open.”

“I’m a spy,” he whispered back. “My eyes are always open.”

She snuggled closer to his side and wrapped her arms around him. “Make love to me again, Rafe.”

He flipped over and covered her with his tight, muscular body. He kissed her long and deep; Daphne started to get warm and wet in all the right places.

He pulled his mouth away and Daphne knew a moment of regret.

“As much as I want to, my love, I must go see to my mission. We’re shoving off at first light. I need to help you get to the rowboat and get back home safely.”

Daphne’s heart sank. She sat up and pulled the sheet over her breasts. “You… you’re really leaving?”

He searched her face. “You knew I was leaving. I told you I’m going to France.”

Daphne concentrated on breathing. “But that was before…”

“Oh, love.” He pulled her fingers to his lips and kissed them. “I told you I couldn’t make any promises. I meant it.”

“I know. But I’d hoped—” She looked away wistfully and traced the outline of the bedspread with her fingertip. “Take me with you, Rafe.”

Rafe had rolled over her and stood. He was already busily fastening his breeches. Daphne still couldn’t help but admire his gorgeous chest.

Rafe shook his head. His eyes were quickly dimming. He was turning back into the spy with a mission, no longer the loving man she’d been with last night. “I can’t,” he said. “Your brother won’t allow it. I won’t allow it. You’re not safe with me.” He moved back over to where she sat up in the bed and rubbed his hands over her shoulders. Daphne tried to ignore the little thrill that shot through her belly at his touch.

“Listen to me, Daphne. You’re meant to be with a lord, a nobleman, a somebody. We both know that.”

Searching his face this time, she desperately fought her tears. “You’re a somebody, Rafe. You’ve always been a somebody to me.”

Rafe let go of her, turned, and banged his fist against the wall. “No, Daphne. You’re wrong. I’m not somebody. I’m not for you. You said it yourself, I’m not rich. I’m not titled.”

She turned away so he couldn’t see her dash the tears from her eyes. She bit the inside of her cheek so she wouldn’t cry any more. “I never cared about that. I only ever wanted you.” She climbed from the bed and began to frantically tug on her discarded clothing. When she finished, she turned back to face him, proud of herself for fighting back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes and turn her into a complete ninny in his presence. How many times did this man have to reject her before she believed he didn’t want her?

“I’m sorry, Daphne,” he said softly. “I’ll have one of the crew members escort you home and hurry back before we shove off.”

“No!” she shouted, refusing to look at him. “I got here by myself. I can make it home alone as well. I’m not a child.” She wrenched open the door, but his voice stopped her.

“Daphne.” His voice was serious. “If I should die, and you find yourself with child…”

She swallowed. A baby? Rafe’s baby? No, she wouldn’t even allow herself to begin to hope. She held up a hand beside her head to stop him but she didn’t turn to look at him. “Don’t worry, Rafe. I can take care of myself and a baby should it come to that. Good-bye.” She strode out the door and it slammed behind her.