Arcana (41 page)

“Good Lord, this article will ban Eliza from every ball in London,” I say. Truly a fate worse than death for her. “I must say, though, I’m quite at a loss. If Society has turned on her, then why am I in disgrace?”

This time it is his eyebrows that furrow in confusion. “Where did you hear such a thing?”

“From Grandmama and Lord Blackburn.” I realize my mistake as soon as he asks. “They were lying.”

“They were indeed,” he says, his eyes sympathetic. “As for my continued absence, when I learned you’d left Thornewood without a word, I knew I had to seek out your father without delay. I wanted you under my protection as soon as possible. Once I gained his permission to ask for your hand in marriage, I returned to London. Mere hours after I returned, Penelope arrived with grave news.” His expression darkens. “And here we are.”

I lean back in relief. “Penelope came to our rescue after all.” At his questioning look, I elaborate. “Grandmama was intercepting all our letters. We were unable to contact Robert or Papa, or . . . you.”

“Nor receive any from me,” he says. “It’s as I thought. Or, rather, hoped. But how were you able to send word to Miss Hasting?”

I swallow and look out the window again. “We used arcana.”

“Arcana? I assume you refer to the power you have?” I force myself to look at him again, but I see no censure in his eyes. He leans down and presses a kiss to my hand. “I love
you
,” he says. “Even if that means you come with . . . unexpected but certainly useful abilities.” He grins.

A surprised laugh escapes me. “I’ve never heard it put in such a way.”

“But you must promise never to use it in such a way that it nearly takes you from me. Not ever again.” His expression turns intense, almost pained. “I don’t think I could endure another agonizing night of not knowing whether you’d ever wake up.”

“I can only promise to try never to be in the same situation again. As I’ve told Robert and Lucy many times, I won’t hesitate to save someone I love—no matter the cost.”

“Then I must make sure you are never in that position.”

I squeeze his hand gently in answer.

“Have I answered all your questions to your satisfaction, my lady?”

I did have one more. “You still wish to marry me . . . after everything that happened?” I ask, gripping my seat with the hand not in his until it turns white.

“You think I am in the habit of making promises I never intend to keep?”

I turn my head toward the window to hide my hurt. “So this is only about your honor?”

His hand cups my cheek, and I turn toward it, craving his touch even though he is the source of my pain. His fingers gently turn my head toward him. My lips part as I meet his hooded gaze. “I don’t blame you for being cross with me. After all, you never received a formal proposal.”

His fingers leave my chin and search inside his coat. When he pulls out a ring, it becomes difficult to draw a breath. The carriage shifts as he drops one knee to the floor.

“My darling Katherine, I find I cannot live another moment without your wit and beauty in my life. Will you do me the exquisite honor of becoming my wife?”

I pull him back onto the seat with me and press my lips to his. “Yes,” I say between kisses. “I would like nothing more.”

TWENTY-NINE

I
stare at the star sapphire on my finger. Slivers of moonlight reflect off it, making it appear to glow. I gaze up at Lord Thornewood—no,
Colin
—who brushes my loose hair from my neck with a self-satisfied smile. I will have to restore my hair to some semblance of decency before we arrive to Bransfield, but for now, I can only stare at my fiancé with an embarrassing degree of adoration.

“We should arrive at Bransfield in less than an hour,” he says, his hand drawing lazy circles across my abdomen. As each muscle twitches in response, I wonder if this is what it feels like to be tortured.

I make a noise somewhere between an acknowledgment and a sigh of pleasure.

“I only point this out as I want you to know . . .” he pauses to kiss the side of my neck, which he has figured out makes me completely unable to think, “. . . this will be our last chance to be alone before the wedding.”

“And when will that be, my lord?” I ask, a hint of teasing in my voice.

“As soon as I can damn well arrange it,” he says gruffly.

When he pulls me onto his lap, a nervous giggle escapes me as desire licks at my insides like flames. “Try not to destroy my dress. I’ll never be able to face my father.”

Colin laughs. “Kindly refrain from mentioning your father when I’m trying to kiss you senseless. It has a terrible effect on the mood.”

My answering laugh dies in my throat. His hands leave a path of shivery heat as he runs them over my breasts and down the sides of my bodice. We kiss each other desperately, until both our chests are heaving.

“This is the village,” I say, when we pause for air. “We have only minutes left.”

His eyes devour mine. “Then we’d best make the most of them.”

Acknowledgments

F
AIR
warning: I am Southern, and I become eaten alive by guilt if I don’t properly thank everyone. This may be lengthy.

First and foremost, I would like to thank God, from whom all good things come.

Thank you to my loving and supportive husband, Sam. Not only do you have an awesome career that allows me to stay home and write, but you also never hesitate to entertain the kids when Mommy has a deadline! I love you.

A huge thank you to my parents, Ann and Larry, who have always believed in me and encouraged me. To my mom, especially, who has read
Arcana
in about a thousand different versions, helped me every step of the way, and should probably be paid as a second publicist for how much she marketed this book.

I must thank my cousin, Kelsey Sandy, because if it weren’t for sleepovers where we made up ridiculous stories about Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett, my love for telling a good romantic story may have never fully developed. It was you who first started writing those stories down, and you will forever inspire me with your gorgeous prose! Thank you for all your love and support.

Thank you to my fantastic critique partners: Mandie Baxter and Jamie Manning. You read nearly as many versions of
Arcana
as my mom and never once complained. Mandie, I’m so glad we found each other! You’re my other writing half. All our texts and emails keep me sane, and I can’t thank you enough for all your support. Working/writing Mama, you are my hero. Jamie, your eagle eyes were essential, and your own books are an inspiration to me. Thank you for all your help!

I have the most incredible family and friends, all of whom have been so encouraging and supportive throughout this whole process. My grandmother, especially, has been looking forward to the moment she can walk into a bookstore and pick up my book. The time has finally come, Grandmom!

To my amazing agent, Brianne Johnson: thank you for pulling this story from the slush! It was truly the best Christmas present ever. Thank you, also, for your persistence. It’s because of you that
Arcana
found such a wonderful home in Skyhorse Publishing. On a related note, thank you to the Writers House readers, who snatched my story out of the slush for Bri to read and cheered for its success. Thank you especially to Bakara Wintner, who gave some truly phenomenal editorial feedback.

To my editors, Nicole Frail and Constance Renfrow: thank you for falling in love with this book. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you!

For all the wonderful writers, readers, and authors who beta’d
Arcana
for me: Claire Gillian, Julie Reece, Susanna Hearn, and Amy Boyles. Thank you for all your helpful thoughts and feedback.

To my fellow debut TeamTalos author, Karina Sumner-Smith: I’m so glad we united during our debut angst. Your funny and brilliant emails were a large part of how I was able to keep calm.

To all the Skyhorse Publishing staff, especially Rain Saukas. My cover is breathtaking; I can’t thank you enough.

For everyone who has helped spread the word about
Arcana
, especially my in-laws, Mike and Carol, and all my friends and family in Greenville: thank you so much for your support!

And to you, dear reader: I am so grateful.