Page 76 of Four Promises to Love

“Ad Finem Fidelis,” he murmured.

“What?”

“It’s my family motto. It means ‘faithful until the end.’” He squeezed her hand. “So you see, you fit right in with the Harringtons.”

“I do not.”

“You needn’t look so appalled,” he said wryly. “Whilst we Harringtons have our flaws, you could do worse.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“You belong to the aristocracy.”

“It’s not a disease, you know.” He thought about it. “Well, maybe it is. But I didn’t have a choice in the matter.”

“I am being serious. You do realize that I grew up in an orphanage? I don’t even know who my parents are. All I have of my past is this cut-rate pendant.” She tapped the dented heart with a touch of defiance. “Most likely I am a bastard. One whom no one wanted.”

Hearing the pain beneath her matter-of-fact tone, he yearned to comfort her.

“I want you.” He pulled her into his arms. “And I don’t care about your origins.”

“You don’t know me.”

“I know you are loyal, brave, and clever.” Seeing the denial in her eyes, he strove to lighten the tone. “And so beautiful that being near you makes me hard.”

She huffed out a laugh. “Don’t blame me for that last problem. You are naturally hot-blooded.”

“Even so.” He cupped her cheek. “I want you, Finn, and not just physically. I like you. How bold you are and how much you care even when you try not to show it. I like that you’re complicated. And my family likes you too. You haven’t met my parents, but they have no use for snobbery. Papa is always going on about character, and he would admire your strength through adversity. Mama would find you a kindred spirit, for she is an independent female herself.”

Finn was staring at him, open-mouthed. He took the opportunity and kissed her. Thoroughly, with a great deal of tongue and even more of tenderness. The way she melted into him told him without words what he wanted to hear.

He was the one to break the kiss. “We should get to the tree before dark.”

“Right.” She looked adorably dazed. “The tree.”

He took her hand, and they resumed their journey. Soon the trees cleared, revealing the stream and its muddy banks. The water was calm, the sunset casting a few last sparkles on the gently rippling surface. Even so, the past rushed through him, and he saw the churning dark waves closing over a man’s head…

“Is everything all right?” Finn was peering up at him.

“Yes.”

“Your hand is cold.”

“It’s cooler by the water.” He shoved the memory aside. “Let’s have a look at the tree.”

The giant yew by the stream’s edge stood like an ancient sentinel with its gnarled branches and sprawling canopy of green needles. Over time, the bank had eroded, and a section of the thick, exposed roots dangled over the water. Awed by nature’s majesty, he touched the twisting trunk, which spanned at least eight feet across.

Finn was circling the tree. “Where was the marriage license hidden?”

“In a hollow behind those upper branches.” He pointed out the approximate location. “I gave Gigi a boost onto that lowest branch, and she managed to get the rest of the way.”

“Ready to give it another go?”

“Do I have a choice in the matter?” He sighed. “As I said to my sister, try not to break your neck—or drown. Despite their thickness, the branches may not be sturdy. Be sure to avoid the ones over the water.”

“Yes, my lord.”