Eledon didn’t let his gaze follow her. He had too much pride to admit his puppy dog affection for a girl who kissed him then called him by her husband’s name.

Her stupid black Kindle glowed from the night stand. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help himself. He really wanted to know what in that case study had got her so bothered earlier.

He picked it up and tapped the screen.

“Sweetheart, were you harmed?”

She buried her head into his chest and nodded as tears slipped down her cheeks. My mother’s valise is in there. It’s the only thing that didn’t require burning after she died. She’d forgotten it at my aunt’s house, so it was never infected.” She burst into sobs. This was like saying goodbye to her mother all over again.”

Eliam kissed the top of her head. “You’ll have your valise.”

And just like that, the comforting presence flitted away from her. “Eliam?”

Eliam ran toward the burning building and Elizabeth ran after him.

“Sarah, you and Lauralye keep her away from the building. It’s not safe,” Eliam called over his shoulder.

Elizabeth’s youngest sister threw herself to the ground and grabbed Elizabeth’s ankle. Sarah wrapped all of her limbs around her sister. Sobs ripped out of Elizabeth. A moment ago, she had thought nothing could hurt like losing her mother a second time. But she was wrong. Losing Eliam would hurt a million times more. With Lauralye clinging to her ankle and Sarah wrapped around her, movement was hard, but not impossible. She took one step closer to the burning structure. Then two.

“Really?” Sarah snapped. “You’ll drag Lauralye closer to the fire?”

Elizabeth’s heart dropped. No. She wouldn’t move her baby sister any closer to the fire, because it was too late. Eliam disappeared through the smoke-billowed front door. Sarah’s tentacle-like grip held her up now rather than restrained her. The wind had been knocked out of Elizabeth. She didn’t know when she would breathe again. She didn’t know if she wanted to. Eliam sprinted back out of the entrance, threw a flaming valise into the yard, and stomped it.

Elizabeth dropped to her knees, crying.

“Let her go,” Sarah said.

Lauralye released Elizabeth’s ankle and stood.

“Thank you, God. Thank you, God.” Elizabeth cried. Then she picked herself up and rushed toward Eliam.

He caught her before she collapsed. Her lips touched his skin anywhere they could find.

He chuckled. “Nice to see you too, my lady.”

Smoke from his clothes filled her lungs. She could only imagine what he must feel like. She scanned his body up and down looking for burn wounds. “Are you hurt? Tell me you’re not hurt.”

He stroked a hand up and down her back. “I’m fine, love. I’m fine. Your valise is here, but is probably unusable. If you wish, I can have it reconditioned.”

Her lips found his. Her kiss was urgent and intense.

“Or I could just stand here and kiss you. That works for me.” He leaned his head down and whispered, “There will be talk.”

“You’re marrying me. There will be plenty of talk. Did you hear about the Duke’s daughter who married a Gypsy?”

“I haven’t heard about her yet. The gossip must have been very hard on her. Her friends probably laughed, and she wouldn’t be welcomed by most of the ton.”

“But he took care of her and her sisters. And she never wanted for anything else. She only needed him—you’re marrying me,” she repeated.

His response was nothing at all like what the English gentlemen she’d been groomed for would do. With all the tenets and local nobility from neighboring estates behind them, Eliam held Lady Elizabeth much too tightly for propriety. He cupped her face and tilted her head back like he would kiss her right there in front of everyone. But then he just brushed his lips across her forehead and stepped back.

Elizabeth looked at him wide eyed.

He threw a glance to their audience and let his gaze meet hers again. “If I kissed you the way I want to there will be talk. I’d have to duel three men before we leave here tonight, because I will kill any man who insults you.”

“We’re—” Her voice hitched. “We’re leaving together?”

“You cannot throw out promises of forever and expect to leave alone, my lady.

Damn. No wonder Katie spent so much time with her Kindle. Eledon wanted a girl like Elizabeth. A girl who would run toward a burning building for him, even with her sisters barricading her way. More importantly, Eliam was a fictional boyfriend. Eledon had a chance. But his Dr. Plastic Nails would barely even speak to him. She wasn’t rampaging a burning building any time soon.

A persistent tapping pulled Eledon from his thoughts. He glanced up to find Katie tapping her foot, one hand planted firmly on her hips, her plate shaking with each movement of the ship in the other. “What are you doing?”

He still held the Kindle. He couldn’t deny his guilt. “Sorry, it was on. I was curious.”

She nodded, silently.

He opened his mouth to say something, but shut it.

“It’s not stormy. It’s only dark.”

“It’s early afternoon.”

“The sun always sets early in winter.”

He shrugged. “Sweetheart, it’s going to storm. But we’ll be fine. I’m good at captaining a boat.”

“Of course. Every man who wins his boat in a card game is a superb seaman.”

He cocked his head. “Of course. Otherwise, he wouldn’t accept a boat as payment.”

“Put my Kindle down and get out, please.”

“Of course, my lady.” He winked at her. “You can call me Eliam any time you want.” He strutted past her.