WALKING INTO THE parlor, Hannah sighed in relief as she made her way toward the large fireplace, Christopher behind her. She turned and stared up at him. “Did you really sleep last night?”
“Yes. You fell right to sleep and I went back to my own room a few hours later. Although, not before I slept as well,” he whispered.
Hannah smiled and flexed her hand in an effort not to touch him. “Good.”
“Good morning, everyone.” Hannah turned to see Sophie and Jamie walking through the parlor doors.
“You walked over in this weather?” Clayton asked.
“Are you kidding me? My wife lives for this weather,” Jamie said.
Hannah and Christopher made their way over to the new arrivals.
“So?” Sophie said.
Hannah held up her left hand.
“Congratulations!” Sophie hugged her and then Christopher.
“Clayton filled us in on everything last night,” Jamie said.
As Sophie and Hannah caught up, Christopher got pulled into a separate conversation, so Hannah made her way to the couch and smiled as Gwen sat next to her and took her hand. “I have been dying for at least three days.”
Hannah giggled. “Really?”
“Yes. Chris told us before we came.” Gwen reached over and squeezed her hand. “I wish he could stay longer than Sunday.”
“I thought we weren’t leaving until next week,” Hannah said, alarmed.
“No, Christopher is returning Sunday so that Clayton and Emma and you can stay longer. Mama and Daddy have us booked to go home on Wednesday.”
“Oh,” she whispered.
“I thought you knew.” Gwen pressed her lips into a thin line. “Hannah, I’m so sorry. I’m just going to close my mouth now.”
Hannah forced a smile. “No, it’s fine. I’ll discuss it with your brother. I’m sure with all of the excitement he just hasn’t had a chance to tell me.”
“Absolutely.”
Gwen went to join Charity, who stood with her parents, and Hannah became lost in her thoughts. She couldn’t quite shake a feeling of dread. Standing, she walked over to the window, unable to see the landscape behind the sheet of falling snow.
Christopher laid his hand gently on her back. “Hannah?”
She turned to face him and shook her head, trying her best to force a smile. Christopher stroked her chin and whispered. “Anything amiss?”
Hannah shrugged, embarrassed by her disappointment. “I just didn’t realize you were leaving on Sunday.”
“Yes, I have been meaning to tell you,” he said. “We’ll see each other in a few days, though.”
“I know.”
He grinned. “I have something planned for lunch, so we can talk more freely then.”
Hannah shrugged. “Glad to see you find my disappointment laughable.”
“Sweetheart, I’m not laughing, and although I am enjoying the fact that you’ll miss me, it’s not at your expense.”
“Hannah! Come and dance with me while Sophie sings,” Emma called, interrupting her conversation.
Christopher lifted her palm to his lips. “We’ll have time alone at lunch. We’ll talk then.”
“Hannah!”
Hannah scowled at Emma’s wave of her hand. “I’m coming, impatient one.”
She made her way to her friend. Christine sat at the piano, and Sophie began to sing a song she had recently written with Jamie. Before Hannah knew it, the butler announced lunch, and Christopher was at her side.
“Follow me. I have a surprise for you.” Taking her hand, he led her down the hall and to Clayton’s office. “Close your eyes.”
She raised an eyebrow and asked, “What have you done?”
“Close your eyes, please.” He waited until she did and then pulled her through the door. He closed it with a click and positioned her where he wanted her. “You may look now.”
She opened her eyes and gasped. Clayton’s office had been transformed into a makeshift picnic site. The furniture was moved to the outer walls and a blanket was laid out in the middle of the floor, along with pillows. A picnic basket, with yet another bouquet of daisies settled on top, sat in the middle along with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Knight, this is exquisite.”
He helped her sit and poured her a glass of wine while she pulled the lunch items out of the basket. She quickly found the cheesecake. “Yum!”
Christopher grinned as he handed her the glass and then leaned on his right arm against the pillows as he stretched his legs out.
“You thought of everything.”
“I tried.” He leaned over and stroked her cheek. “Now, we may discuss anything you would like to.”
Hannah shook her head. “Anything we might discuss, will only lead to the subject of you leaving, so why don’t we just eat and make googly eyes at each other?”
“Googly eyes?” He frowned. “What the devil does that mean?”
“It’s an expression. It means we stare at each other in adoration.”
Christopher picked up a grape and rolled it between his fingers. “Well, it sounds like some kind of disease.”
Hannah chuckled. “I suppose it does, doesn’t it?”
He threw the grape in the air and caught it in his mouth.
“Well done,” she said.
“I happen to be the grape-catching champion in our community.”
Hannah giggled. “And you’re proud of that, eh?”
“Most definitely. Not even Quinn can outdo me.”
“You might be loosening up even as we speak.”
Christopher chuckled. “I’m at your command, my lady. You asked, I answered.”
Hannah threw a grape in the air and opened her mouth. The grape landed on her cheek, so she tried another. “I will beat your record. Maybe not today, but soon.”
He reached out and grasped her arm. “Is that a challenge?”
Hannah shook her head. “Not at all. A promise, not a challenge.”
Without warning, he pulled her on top of him and dragged her head down for a heart-stopping kiss.
Hannah sighed and forced herself to break the kiss. “You’re devastating.”
He stroked her cheek. “Am I?”
“You are.” Hannah laid her head on his shoulder. “You’ve changed everything for me.”
“How?”
“I moved a lot when I was young, and have always thought that I could live anywhere, but this is different.” She fiddled with one of his vest buttons. “It’s a place I didn’t choose, but I’m home. You’re my home. I’ve fallen in love with a bona-fide knight in shining armor, and for the first time, the emotion I’ve feared for so long doesn’t scare me. I’ve never felt so calm in my life.”
Christopher gave her a gentle squeeze. “You’ve done the same for me.”
Hannah lifted her head and rested it in her palm. “How many women have you had?”
He cocked his head. “Had?”
“Yes.” Hannah blushed. “Am I one in a long list?”
Christopher shook his head. “You are the last in a short list.”
“So vague.”
“So smart,” he countered.
Hannah giggled as she leaned over and let him kiss her. She broke the kiss, eyes closed, and smiled. “You are yummy.”
“Yummy?”
“It’s a word people describe when discussing food they like. Like cheesecake.” She broke a piece off with her finger and placed it into her mouth, licking her fingers to clear every crumb.
“Hannah,” Christopher groaned.
She raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
He took a deep breath. “Nothing. Continue with your definition of yummy.”
“Well, I use it for lots of different things. You are gorgeous, you’re sweet, I could eat you up. That sort of thing.”
Christopher rolled his eyes. “Sweetheart?”
Hannah pinched off another piece of cheesecake. “Hm?”
“Would you please stop licking your fingers?”
Sucking the tip of one, she raised her eyes in innocence. “Why?”
Christopher dragged a hand down his face and closed his eyes. Hannah frowned, confused by what she’d done, and then it dawned on her. “Oh! Sorry.”
Opening his eyes, he stared at her. “Let’s wait to enjoy any more dessert.”
Hannah’s elephants returned in glee to know she had such an effect on him, and she nodded her acquiescence, despite the fact the cheesecake taunted her. Kicking her skirts out of the way, she shifted to get more comfortable.
“Hannah?”
“Hm?”
“Where are your shoes?”
Hannah bit her lip. “Um... in my room.”
He nodded toward her feet. “Why aren’t they on your feet?”
She shrugged.
“Have you been without shoes all morning?”
Hannah frowned. “Maybe.”
“Hannah.”
She tucked her feet out of sight. “Okay, outside of the fact that I’m from the future and that is probably mind-blowing enough as it is, there’s something you need to know about me. I hate shoes. Hate them. I know it’s the Kiwi in me. I recognize it, I acknowledge it, but it will never change. If I can get away without wearing them, I will.”
He rubbed his forehead.
“Emma said that I’d get in trouble if I didn’t wear them, but I just can’t. Not when I’m inside.”
“Who would you be in trouble with?”
Hannah dropped her head. “You.”
Christopher laughed.
“What? I’m aware of your need to be correct and proper at all times.”
He held his hand out to her. “Sweetheart, if you want to go without shoes in my presence, I will not stop you. You’ll just have to be careful in public.”
She took his hand and let him pull her back to him. “Deal.” She reached out and ran her fingertip gently over his signet ring. “What’s the significance of this?”
Christopher stared at it for several seconds and then smiled. “It was my grandfather’s. My mother’s father. He gave it to me when I turned sixteen and I’ve worn it ever since.”
“Is he still alive?”
He shook his head. “No. He’s been dead for nearly ten years.”
Hannah scrunched up her nose. “Oh, sorry.”
Christopher smiled. “Don’t be. He lived a good life.”
She flopped back onto the pillows. “We should probably talk about Sunday. Especially since you’ll be abandoning me.”
“I wish I could take you back with me.”
“I could hide in your luggage.”
“Yes, you could.” Christopher chuckled. “But, if I took you home with me and had you all to myself, I don’t think I could keep my hands off you.”
“I wouldn’t have a problem with that.” She sighed. “What am I going to do next week?”
“You could come back with my parents on Wednesday if you like. They’d be thrilled to have you stay with them.”
“But what would you do? Come all the way to Maryland each day? That seems like a waste of time to me.”
“You were coming home with Clay and Emma on Friday anyway, so it would be only two days.”
“I guess that’s true.” She dragged her hands down her face. “I hate this. You’ve ruined me.”
He squeezed her elbow. “How’s that?”
“I’ve always been happy alone. I’ve certainly never fallen in love with anyone before. I’m always logical and rational.” She snapped her fingers in the air. “Then, boom, you come along and I can’t seem to function without you. The thought of not seeing you makes me want to cry. Cry, Knight! I don’t cry.”
“You’ve done the same to me, Hannah.”
She glanced over at him. “Made you cry?”
He laughed. “No, although I have no doubt you probably will at some point in our lives. I am somewhat surprised with my habit of making a spectacle of myself when I’m in your presence. Apparently, my family knew we would get married the moment they met you.”
“Seriously?”
Christopher grinned. “Gwen warned me that it would take a woman like you for me to fall in love. Someone who stood up to me.”
“Yes, I’m very good at standing up to people. Especially green-eyed men who make me think of things that a virtuous lady ought not to.”
“I tell myself before I see you each day that I must treat you like porcelain. My conduct must be that of a gentleman, but then you smile at me and I’m undone. I must kiss you, and I no longer care who is around.”
“I’m not complaining.”
Christopher chuckled. “I must remember, though, that amongst my colleagues, I need to act chastely.”
“We’re not around your colleagues now.” Hannah leaned over and kissed him, deeply.
Christopher ran his hands through her hair and broke the kiss with a growl. “I think we should get married quickly.”
“Yes, please.” She sat up quickly. “Oh, I almost forgot. I have something to show you.” Reaching into the pocket in her skirt, she pulled out her iPod.
“What is that?”
“Proof.”
“Ah. All right.”
She glanced at the door. “I really hope no one comes in here.”
“I locked it.”
Hannah grinned. “You’re a very naughty boy. Okay, these are called ear-buds. Do you see how there’s an L on this one and an R on the other? Put this in your left ear, like this.” She showed him how. “Emma suggested we just do one ear for now, so you don’t freak out.”
“Freak out?”
“Um... worry, get nervous.”
He looked up at her in mild confusion. “Should I worry or get nervous?”
“I’ll save you, Sir Knight, if you do. Okay, got that one in?”
Once he nodded, she picked a classical piece, knowing he would probably recognize it, and more than likely wasn’t ready for anything modern. “Ready?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I think so.”
She pushed PLAY on the iPod and as soon as he heard the music, he sat up. Hannah widened her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“What is this? How does this work? I recognize the music, but how did it get in there?” He pointed to the iPod.
“It’s a modern-day recording. I don’t really know how it all works, but this is the latest thing. There were other types before this, and I’m sure there will be other types after it.”
“This is incredible, Hannah.”
“I know, eh?”
“What else is in there?”
“Hmm. There’s a band that we all love called the Citizens. I’ll find one of their songs.” She stared at the iPod as she scrolled through her playlist. “It’ll be like nothing you’ve ever heard, so try to keep an open mind.”
“I will,” he promised.
She found her favorite song, “Low Ceilings and High Tides,” and pressed PLAY. She turned the volume down a bit, not wanting to blow him away, but she shouldn’t have worried. She watched him smile and bob his head.
“I love this!”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “Really?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
She pushed the pause button and set the lock.
“Why did you stop?”
“I want to save the battery. I have no way to charge this, since electricity hasn’t been invented yet.”
“Electricity?”
“A story for another day, love.” She put the iPod and ear-buds back in her pocket and stared at him. “You are truly amazing, Christopher.”
He cocked his head. “I am?”
“Yes. You’ve accepted all of this with such an open mind. I’m not sure if I could have done the same.”
“I love you, how could I not believe you?” He pulled her to him. “You’re so beautiful.”
She reached up and cupped his cheek. As she pulled his head down for another kiss, his hand spanned her flat midsection and moved to rest on her hip. Her hand stroked his chest and she was having a difficult time keeping herself from slipping the buttons and finding out more about him.
When they were both void of breath, he broke the kiss, his breathing heavy. “You’re going to drive me mad. I can see that now.” He stroked her cheek gently with his fingertips.
“Well, you’ve already driven me there, Sir Knight, so you might as well join me.” He chuckled and Hannah sighed as she rolled away from him. “What am I going to do without you? I’ll probably turn into one of those infernal women I hate. I’ll become a moper! Oh, how I hate mopers.”
“Hannah, Emma will keep you so busy you won’t even notice I’m not here.”
“Not a chance! I’ll probably think about you and all the single women in D.C.”
“Hannah,” he warned.
Hannah sat up quickly. “I’m coming back with you on Sunday.”
Christopher snorted.
“No, I’m serious.”
He sat up. “Sweetheart, you can’t. You have to think about your reputation. Not to mention there is a major problem.”
Hannah sighed. “What?”
“Chaperones.”
“So stupid and old-fashioned!” Hannah huffed. “Oh, and did I mention stupid?”
Christopher squeezed her hand. “But a good idea, nonetheless.”
Hannah pulled her hand away and crossed her arms with a scowl. “We are two grown adults. I don’t see why it’s anyone else’s business if we’re alone.”
Christopher smiled sympathetically. “I don’t disagree. However, it’s the way of my world.”
“Why can’t Gwen and Charity come?” She knelt. “They could be my chaperones.” He raised an eyebrow at her and she waggled her finger at him. “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know that my parents will agree to it.”
“You, my valiant knight, are going to have to find a way to convince them.” She ran a finger down his cheek. “You’re a grown man. Two middle-aged parents should be a snap to convince.”
Christopher chuckled and sat up further. “When would you like to be married? Because, I am not certain I can keep my hands off you for much longer.”
She tapped her lower lip with a finger. “Well, Mr. Serious, I know I want everyone who is here right now in attendance.”
“I agree. Plus, I have colleagues in Washington I am obligated to invite.”
“Right. We also have Christmas coming up, so should we wait until after the New Year?”
“Probably a good idea.”
Hannah flopped onto the pillows and settled her head in her palm. “That just seems like an awfully long time to me.”
Christopher looked down as she brushed her hand across his chest again. “How elaborate do you want the ceremony?”
Hannah knitted her brow in thought. “Elaborate?”
“Yes.”
“Quick. I want it quick,” she joked.
“That can be arranged, sweetheart.”
Hannah rolled onto her back. “Oh, I’m sure. I guess I have a few things I’ve always wanted, but I wouldn’t call them elaborate.”
“All right. Well, why don’t we look at the week after New Year’s Day?”
Hannah groaned. “I don’t know. I’m not certain I can wait for you for an entire two months.”
Christopher chuckled.
“I’d like to get married in a church.”
He pulled her close. “Of course.”
“That’s really it, Christopher. A church, our family and friends, and lots of daisies and yellow roses.”
“I think all of that can be arranged.”
She smiled up at him. “Good.”
They heard a knock at the door and Christopher rose to his feet to open it. Clayton stood on the other side with a goofy grin on his face. “You’ve been behind closed doors for long enough, you two.”
“You check now?” Hannah got up and walked over to them. “We’ve been in here for two hours. Plenty of time to get up to no good, you know.”
Clayton laughed and Christopher turned to Hannah. “Why don’t you find Emma, and Clayton and I will clean up.”
She stood on her tiptoes for a kiss and then went on her way.