It took Peregrine a moment to think the questions through as they related to the answer.
“Yes. Your assumptions are correct.”
She hesitated only a moment before answering. “One. One is going to St. Ives. The others mentioned are a mathematical misdirection. One would assume he could only pass these other travelers as they passed by him coming from the opposite direction.”
“Well done, my fae queen. Very well done. Would you like one more?”
“Yes, and be careful—if you choose one that’s too easy, I shall vanish forever.” She laughed.
“Very well. It is a short one but a very hard one. There are two doors, one leading to heaven and one leading to hell. Each one has an identical guard. You may ask one guard one question and then make your choice as to which door to pass through, with your goal to enter the gate to heaven. One of the guards always tells the truth and one always lies. What question would you ask of which guard?”
They stopped by a white marble bench and sat down beside each other. Peregrine was lost in the beauty of the moonlight upon her alabaster skin.
“Now that is difficult,” she said. “I would ask either guard what the other guard would say, then go through the opposite door.”
“My God,” Peregrine murmured. “You’ve heard of that one too?”
“No, but it is logical. Sometimes the answer to a riddle is the easiest solution one can manage. Assuming one does not overthink it.”
She stood and walked farther down the path, and he followed.
“My lady, please tell me your name.” He reached for her hand, pulling it into his own and stroking his fingertips over the inside of her palm. She took in a breath as he pressed a kiss against her inner wrist. She started to tremble, and he nearly forgot himself and tried to wrap his arms around her. He stopped at the last minute and instead released her hand, and she seemed to calm.
She chuckled softly as she composed herself. “I’m sorry. I cannot tell you. Even if I did, it would do neither of us any good.”
“Why?”
She looked up at the endless inky black sky. “Because after tomorrow, I shall be no one.” She stood and started to walk away
Peregrine went after her and caught her hand, halting her. “You frighten me with your talk of becoming no one on the morrow. Why do you say this?”
She turned her face away, but when he gently turned her back to look at him, tears trailed down the edge of her mask.
“You’re crying,” he breathed. His concern for this woman he didn’t know twisted him inside until he felt an almost physical pain. He’d never felt so connected to anyone in his life, and yet she was an utter stranger. But in that moment, it was the truth. He was connected to her somehow.
“I am, but it does not matter.”
“It doesn’t? Then what does, my lady?”
She cupped his face and rose up on her tiptoes. “This . . .”
She kissed him, and the world around that kiss ceased to be.
3
Sabrina could think of only one way to distract this man before her. She grabbed him and kissed him. She’d never kissed a man before and therefore had no idea how it should feel, but her initial clumsiness faded as the mysterious man pulled her closer and his lips eagerly met hers. He was so tall, so wonderfully warm and hard against her own body as she leaned into him. The man kept her within the circle of his embrace, leaving her feeling safe in a way she hadn’t imagined possible. She surrendered herself to him, hoping the kiss would last forever.
She quickly learned how to move her mouth, how to savor the sensations and the tingle of excitement the kiss sent through her entire body. When he licked at the seam of her lips, she pulled back a little, startled.
“Easy, my darling, I don’t wish to frighten you. Open your mouth for me.”
“Open my mouth?” She reluctantly moved back into his arms, uncertain if she would like this or not.
“Trust me.” He brushed the backs of his fingers down the side of her throat in a tender caress. She did trust him. It was strange . . . but it was also true. She trusted this man.
Their mouths met once again and she opened to him, gasping as his tongue touched hers, light and playful. It was exciting, forbidden, and far above what she’d imagined kissing would be. She decided right then that she enjoyed it. The man held her close, kissing her as the stars moved slowly overhead.
But she needed more. She needed this man to claim her tonight so that tomorrow she would be free of her brother and Mr. Booker.
When they broke apart for air, he nuzzled the crown of her hair. Her whole body quivered with nerves as she asked him the question that would change her life forever.
“Would you make love to me beneath the stars?”
For a moment, only the crickets could be heard.
“Beg pardon?”
“Please, I do not have time to explain, but I would like it very much if you could.”
She watched confusion war with desire on his face.
“Are you trying to trick me into compromising you? Is your father or mother hiding in the hedges to discover us?” His tone was less warm than before. There was cold suspicion in his beautiful tawny-colored eyes.
“No!” Sabrina answered.
“Then why . . . ?”
Could she tell him? Would he understand? In the end, she felt she had no choice but to trust him. “A man I detest is blackmailing my family, and the only way he can be satisfied is by marrying me. But he will only take me if I am untouched. He even has a doctor who is coming in the morning to examine the state of my virtue. I should like it very much to be touched by you. Please . . .”
“Christ, how did you end up with a man like that who would—?”
“It was not by choice, I assure you. I am a victim of ill fate, and I fear this may be my only chance of escape.”
“You truly want this?” he asked, still hesitant. His arms were still around her, still letting her feel safe against his tall, muscled body. He had every reason to suspect she was trying to catch him in a parson’s mousetrap, yet she could tell he believed her.
“Yes. Even though we are strangers, I trust you.”
He chuckled dryly. “This is not how I envisioned my evening proceeding, but I am honored to be chosen to save you in such a fashion.”
“Where should we . . . ?” She didn’t know where best to accomplish the deed.
“Come.” He led her past the gardens and into a meadow. No one would venture this far from the house. They would not be disturbed. He removed his coat and laid it upon the ground for her.
“May I?” He offered her his hand as she eased to the ground and lay back upon his coat. The fabric was still warm, and his scent clung to it. The aroma was dark, with hints of sandalwood and leather. He must ride often. The thought of him astride some powerful beast, his thighs tightening as he guided it, made her body tight and flush with heat.
He lay down beside her and leaned over to kiss her again. She was lost to him and the pleasure of his mouth over hers. She wasn’t aware at first that he was sliding a hand up her skirts until she felt the breeze against her bare thighs. She tensed and he paused, one hand resting on her outer thigh.
“Are you all right?” He was so masculine, so in command of his body and hers in that moment. They hadn’t even begun to make love, yet he had the consideration to ask how she felt. His care for her challenged everything she’d come to expect from this moment.