The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

27

Chapter 27

As the door closed behind Freddie, Summer turned in his arms and hugged him about his waist. Stuart smiled. In fact, he hadn't been able to stop smiling.

"What do you suppose it signifies," she asked as she tipped her face up at him, "that I'm not the least bit frightened?"

"Of me?" he chuckled as he dropped a kiss on her forehead while resting his hands on her hips, "You haven't been afraid since I've known you. Intimidated maybe, but not afraid."

Summer stared at him like he'd grown another head.

"Love, you were strolling the decks in the fog the day I met you. And in the aftermath of a violent storm you had enough pluck to put that nosy steward in his place."

"Well he made me mad!" she sputtered. "Assuming-" she ended with a frustrated growl.

"I love your spirit. From the very first you impressed me enough to make me look beyond that pretty smile of yours."

"You're the reason that I wasn't frightened out of my mind." She admitted shyly, "You were so calm. About the storm, the engine, even your burns. You made me feel safe."

Stuart blushed, only this time he didn't mind so much. He made her feel safe, and that felt-right. Like he found what he was meant to do.

Still...

"I wonder," he said thoughtfully after a moment's pause, "what it must signify that I am frightened half out of my mind."

"Of me?" Summer echoed giving him another are-you-out-of-your-mind look.

"I still don't think I deserve you but I'm willing to spend the rest of my life trying to." His thumbs rubbed her hips gently. "I didn't think you loved me. And if it wasn't for my fear of meeting your brother at the end of this trip, I don't know if I'd have found the courage to ask you to stay."

Summer blushed as her lashes fluttered against her cheeks.

"I was thinking about asking Freddie for help to woo you. He has a reputation as a bit of a rake, you know. I figured he would know a thing or two about turning a lady's head."

"Freddie? He may be a rake who can turn every head from Newcastle to South Hampton but what does he know about winning hearts?" She shook her head. "Pshaw. He's been in love with your sister half of his life but he still hasn't told her."

"Someday I'll tell you about his father."

"If his father is half as evil as my mother, then I take everything back!"

Stu chuckled

"God's own truth!" Stu saw the storm clouds gathering in her eyes as she tried to step away, but he held her firm. "You don't know the half of what that woman did to me!"

"I'm sorry love." Stu apologized softly as he pulled her close and pressed her head to his chest.

"There you go again," she mumbled and he though he heard a tear in her voice as he rubbed her back, "Devil take me but you're so bloody lovable!"

"I'll have to work on that." He said as he lifted her chin and kissed her nose.

"I was going to tell you something." she wrinkled her nose at him. "But now I don't think I shall, for it will go right to your head!" she teased as she again tried to back away.

Stu jerked her back and held her with a kiss.

"Mm" she murmured against his lips, "I knew it would be like this."