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The sight of her in his room had filled him with an intoxicating blend of relief and joy. Tristan did not waste a moment before going to her. He did not even give her time to turn around. He placed the lantern he’d taken from the hall on the table beside him and went to her. Grabbing a handful of her hair and moving it to the side, Tristan breathed in the faint scent of mint that now suffused his hall. He’d noticed the changes there—change Hannah had undoubtedly prompted—and took it as yet another sign that she was destined to run Saxford with him.

“Tristan,” she whispered, her voice soothing his very soul. “What are you doing?”

He brought his hands around to her front and cupped both of her breasts with his hands.

“Isn’t it obvious?” This time, he did squeeze, though gently. He let his thumbs dip inside the top of her gown.

“When you left—”

“I was a fool,” he said, rubbing the tips of his thumbs back and forth, the soft flesh teasing him. And so he teased back. He brought his lips closer to her ear. “I should have listened to you. I’ve always loved women—”

“Now hardly seems the time to remind me.”

“Admired them for their beauty,” he continued. “And known they were much cleverer than me.”

He paused, but only to kiss the tender spot just under her ear. “And you, the cleverest of all.”

Another kiss, but a bit harder this time. He began to move his hands as well, needing to reassure himself that she was here, that he might yet convince her to stay with him.

“You told me to speak to Sutherland, but I dismissed the idea, not wanting to appear weak.”

“Weakness has nothing to do with—”

“Allow me to finish.”

He pressed her closer to him.

“I was wrong,” he said against her neck. “But you were as well. This is not your time, but it can be. Saxford needs you. I need you. I believe in things I never thought I would. Finding a true love was once as fantastical to me as magic, but I believe in both now. We were made for each other.” Hannah turned and looked up at him then, her eyes full of emotion. “You spent your life creating one thing. Stay with me and create another. A life. With me.”

Hannah opened her mouth to answer, but he still had one thing to tell her first.

“The treaty has been extended.”

Joy bubbled inside him as he watched her eyes widen in understanding.

“Extended?”

He nodded. “Aye. I heeded your advice, though Walter and I nearly came to blows over it. I surprised Sutherland, and myself, with an offer. To re-sign the treaty on behalf of Kenton and acknowledge our share of the blame for past events. I may have wounded the pride of some of my men, especially those who have spent their lives hating Clan Sutherland. But nothing, most especially pride, is worth the loss of life.”

Once Tristan was confident Hannah fully understood how much he needed her, valued her, he asked the question once again.

“Hannah Sutton . . . will you stay here with me? Love me as I love you?” He took a deep breath. “Will you agree to become my wife when we find your sisters?”

It was a lifetime later when she finally answered.

“No.”