Page 131 of Not a Fine Gentleman

Finch turned his face away. The constable got in the coach with Finch, and they drove off to face justice.

Connor glanced at Margaret, still standing alone on the docks. He opened his mouth, and then turned to Jared and Grant, who hovered nearby. “My thanks for your assistance.”

Jared grinned. “It was my pleasure. I only regret that there wasn’t a bit of a fight.”

Grant gave them all a dark grin before he and Jared headed toward the yacht where Elise, her son Colin, Jocelyn, Genevieve, and Rachel leaned over the railing. Her brothers embraced their wives, and they all became their usual happy, animated selves when they reunited even after a brief separation.

Detached from their joy, Margaret strode toward the yacht. Connor had come looking for her. Was he going to plead with her to stay? Or merely say goodbye? She had half a mind to stay and convince him they should be together. But she refused to tie herself to a man who didn’t really want her.

Onboard, she moved to the far side of the ship and braced her hands on the railing. Her heart lay silent and empty within her.

Rachel appeared. “Well, that was remarkable. I’ll certainly rest easier now that he’s been apprehended.”

Margaret nodded. “I hope the trial goes well and that justice is served.”

“Meg!” Connor raced toward her and ran up the gangplank. His familiar form and face, which had become so dear, came nearer and nearer. Good gracious, had he always been that handsome? She battled back the sentiment.

Close enough to touch, he looked her over with a mixture of apprehension and joy. “Please don’t leave.”

She didn’t dare speak.

He glanced at Rachel and inclined his head in greeting. “Lady Rachel.” He looked about at the rest of her family, who stood watching as if ready to leap into action should she ask.

“Jackson.” Rachel’s tone betrayed her animosity toward Connor.

Margaret couldn’t wrench her gaze from his face.

The sea breeze wafted Connor’s subtly masculine scent to her. A remarkable earnestness came into his expression. “Please stay.”

What he meant by that, Margaret didn’t dare guess. She’d misunderstood so much in the past, read into truths that existed only in her foolish imagination. She didn’t trust herself to have sound reasoning when it came to men—especially not this man.

She folded her arms. “There’s nothing for me here. I need a change.” She finally managed to look away, “I’ve always wanted to travel, create some new memories.”

Connor put a gentle hand on her arm. “Create those memories with me.”

She stiffened and tried to pull away but couldn’t quite bring herself to sever contact with him. Longing for him roared through her, and every inch of her awoke from that consuming numbness. She swallowed against a ridiculous lump. “Don’t say that. You made it very clear that you don’t—”

“But I do! I’m sorry. Please forgive me for hurting you.”

She went still. Even her breath stopped.

“I didn’t think a man like me had anything to offer a lady like you. I’m illegitimate. I have worked all my life. I don’t belong to your world. And as a constable, my work is dangerous. I felt it irresponsible to put myself at risk as long as someone needed me, loved me.”

So that was it. He’d been trying to spare her from a marriage to a man who faced death in every ally.

He moved his hand from her arm to her cheek. “I love you, Meg. I love you with all that is in me.”

The sun burst from behind a cloud and shone on his face. Behind him, the river sparkled like a thousand tiny lights.

His ungloved hand, so strong and rough, but so tender, warmed her face, her body, her heart. “I know we don’t live in the same worlds, but we’ll find our own place, create our own world where we can both live and thrive and love each other. I’ll do whatever I must. Please say we still have a chance. Please say you still love me.” He held his breath.

He loved her. He wanted her. He wanted to create a life with her. He’d declared himself to her in front of her family. And the sincerity in his eyes and in his touch could not be mistaken. He watched her, determined, vulnerable, loving.

Her heart leaped up and answered for her. “Yes.”

His eyes shifted back and forth as if trying to divine her thoughts through her eyes. “Yes?” he whispered.

“Yes, I love you.”