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It was just like so from a fairy tale

He stared deep into her eyes Little sparks danced in his wide, dark pupils "Are you going to tell ht the other day, when you accusedafraid"

"I shouldn’t have said--"

"Don’t You were right I have been afraid You see, I’ve always told the ladies that Spindle Cove is a safe place for theardless of what anyone thinks But for the past feeeks, that hasn’t been the case for rowing part ofit a secret from everyone, convinced I daren’t tell a soul"

The music went on, but they twirled to a halt

"But that’s ridiculous, isn’t it? And unfair to us both When I looked at you just now, I knew I knew in my heart, I couldn’t conceal it one minute more I wanted to dance with you I wanted everyone to see us" A lump rose in her throat "To see me, in love with you"

And for all this was her moment to be fearless and direct, she suddenly couldn’t bear to old braid on his new red wool coat Stroking her bare fingertip over the neat ridge Cherishing him with her touch "I’m not sure what to say I haven’t any practice with these things I would tell you you’re the best, bravestho men I know, that seems too sth and raised her face to his "So I will just tell you I love you I love you, Bram I want everyone to see it, and I want you to knowyou’re a part of this place now No matter where duty takes you, Spindle Cove will always be here for you And so will I"

He put both arainst his chest "You beautiful, brazen thing"

Then he went silent, just holding her gaze for what seemed like eons Nervessecond

She sed hard "Don’t you have anything else to say?"

" ‘Hallelujah’ springs to mind Beyond that" He brushed a caress down her cheek "Does this ht not make that twisty, unhappy face?"

"Try rin--spread across his face It was a s the crescent as the shape of pure joy She felt its er under her chin "Susanna Jane Finch, w--"

"Susanna Jane Finch What’s going on here?" The familiar voice startled them both

Papa

She beat down the impulse to hide, or to scurry froe, and no need anyhow She wouldn’t hide froer to share with the world

Still sht Bram’s hand in hers and wheeled on her slipper heel to face her father "Papa, I’m so happy you’re here"

But her father’s expression did not read as happiness As he approached the across the hall in slow, even steps, he looked wary, at best He turned his gaze around the roo the shambles of half-finished preparations Summerfield’s servants jarred the furniture and hanging swags had resu scales

Susanna bit her lip "Is it the hall, Papa? I know it looks a true cala will be perfect"

"I’m not concerned about tomorrow" His watery blue eyes fixed on Bram

Susanna felt suddenly protective of the man at her side She clutched Bra"

One hoary eyebrow arched "Only dancing?"

"You’re right It’s not only dancing, it’s rown very close these past weeks, and" She cast a fleeting glance at Bram "And I love him" It made her so happy, just to say it She never wanted to stop "I love him, Papa I do"

Her father looked at the floor and released a long, measured breath She stared at him, oddly amazed How could anyone breathe at a time like this?

Then he raised his headand her heart fell

She’d just told her father she was in love For the first time in her life, in love And he refused to even look her direction From the distant expression on his face, she could tell Papa was going to receive this news in the same spirit he received all her other secrets and confessed enore it As if he’d never even heard

Oh Lord

Had it been this way, all those other ti to a distracted genius, had she truly been pouring out her heart to so Unthinkable Of course Papa cared for her He’d saved her life He’d given up so much to live here at Summerfield

Bram cleared his throat "Sir Lee obviously need to talk"

"Oh yes Indeed we do" Her father calmly reached into his breast pocket and withdrew an envelope "I was going to wait until after the field review tomorrow But I think now is the ideal time"