Chapter 10
Hiro had to admit he was impressed by Hearthwell-on-Cozing. The town was quaint, almost cozy. While industrialization had definitely affected the outskirts, the middle of the town was picturesque, seemingly almost stuck in the last century.
Collar turned up against the January Northumberland wind, he shoved his hands in the pockets of his overcoat and strolled, trying to get a feel for his surroundings.
It was a habit Amanda had started, early in their adventures; the first day in any new location—after they’d recuperated from the journey—was always spent strolling around, getting their bearings.
And today, he was looking for something in particular. Someone.
Christ, let her be here.
Those ridiculous gifts had ceased after his telegram, and he had to pray that meant she’d understood. Had to pray she’d be here today.
When he reached the center of the village, it took him a bit to realize what he was looking at.
There was the usual village square framed in grand columns and surrounded by sturdy, if ancient, shops and pubs and inns.
But where many small English towns had a monument in the center of their green, Hearthwell had… well, a well.
In the last few years, Hiro had been all over the world and seen quite a few ancient remains.
The stonework on this well looked…well, perhaps not ancient.
It looked more like an ancient sort of stonework which had been used daily for generations, each one caring for and adding to the structure.
Huge stones rimmed the well, with smaller river rocks chinking the gaps, and the whole structure was covered by a quaint thatched roof, from which an old-fashioned bucket hung on a rope.
It was picturesque as hell.
What had Mandy said? A couple who throws a coin into the well from clasped hands is destined to marry.
His lips curled wryly.
It was a simplistic legend, and this village was tiny compared to some of the true adventures they’d been on. But still, there was something…comforting about the place. Welcoming.
As Hiro watched, a young couple stepped up to the well. She was blushing, he was grinning, and when he held out his hand, she clasped his without reservation and held their hands over the well. Something fell from their hands, hitting the distant water with a tinkling splash.
Hiro had to turn away, the love on the couple’s faces too painful to watch. He felt as if he’d been intruding on something private. Something that reminded him of what he’d lost.
Would Mandy be here today?
He walked on, finding himself peering between the buildings, studying the form of each bundled-up woman who hurried past. That one was too short, that one too skinny, to be his Mandy.
If he hadn’t been so focused on his surroundings, he might have missed the cottage with the snow-covered garden tucked between a bakery and a jeweler. The cottage had been modernized, and the flowerpots on the windowsills that bracketed the front door seemed to just be waiting for spring.
But Hiro didn’t care about the flowerpots. His attention was caught by the small sign which indicated the cottage was for sale.
Something—he never knew what, exactly—drew him toward the garden gate. There were prints in the snow, and he didn’t realize he was holding his breath until his chest began to ache.
This home—because surely this was a home—was small and delightful, and he knew instinctively that Mandy would love it.
It was close to the village center, which was full of history while also being close to modern conveniences.
And Hearthwell-on-Cozing was near enough to their families without being in their laps…
Then he pushed open the door and stepped inside, and slowly exhaled.
Because he’d been right.
Mandy would love it.
She was here already, slowly turning to him with a welcoming smile. How she’d known it was him at the door was just as much a mystery as how he’d known, somehow, she would be here.
“Hiro,” she breathed.
And the band which had been wrapped around his chest since Edinburgh slowly eased.
He closed the door behind him, grateful for the cheery sunshine streaming through the windows, and met her in the middle of the room.
“You came,” he murmured, lifting one gloved hand to brush his fingers against her cheek.
She caught his hand. “Of course I did.” Pressing his palm against her jaw, she smiled up at him. “I love you, Hiro.”
This was it.
This was the test.
The test he couldn’t fail. Wouldn’t fail.
Hiro inhaled slowly. Held it. “And I love you, Mandy.”
Mandy. Not Lady Amanda.
The way her eyes lit and her smile bloomed told him that she’d understood.
“I want—”
“When you—”
They both spoke at the same time, then both pressed their lips together on a smile. “You first,” she whispered.
He took another deep breath. “I don’t belong in your world. Not as your husband.”
Her response was immediate. “Then I do not want to live in my world.”
“You can’t belong in my world. Not as my wife.”
The hope hadn’t left her expression. “Then let us make our own world, Hiro.”
That’s what she’d been trying to tell him all along. That’s what Otuo-san said, it’s what Hiro wanted. But still, some part of him felt he needed to raise an objection. “Your brother—”
“Loves you as much as I do,” she interrupted sternly. “He was very clear about that. He came with me to Hearthwell, you know?”
“Because he thought you’d get in trouble without an escort?”
Her brows lowered in irritation. “Because he wanted the chance to speak with you as much as I did. I told him all about the legend and this town, and he agreed to let me find you on my own.”
Alistair trusted her to find her own way to Hiro. The thought was humbling.
As if picking through her sentence, Amanda spoke carefully. “My brother views your salary as a gift for what you did for him—the life you gave back to him all those years ago. You taught him to be the man he is today, Hiro. He says he can never repay you.”
Hiro felt his lips twitching, remembering how his friend had only recently begun to speak again. “He says that, does he?”
“Well, he grunts it. And writes it down quite angrily.”
Yes, that sounded like Alistair. Sighing in surrender, Hiro pulled Amanda into his arms. “I love him too,” he admitted, dropping his chin on her head. “Although he used to drive me mad.”
“He can be quite stubborn.” She snaked her arms around his waist, beneath his overcoat, pressing her body against his. “But he wants what is best for us.”
Hiro’s body was responding to having her in his arms after so long. “And what is that?” he murmured, distracted by her warmth.
“Well…” Amanda nuzzled closer to him. “He knows what is best for me is to be ‘gallivanting about the world’—as he put it—having adventures with you. But what is best for you, Hiro?”
What kind of arsehole was he that she had to ask that question? That she didn’t know?
His hands ran along her back and settled on her rear end, pulling her closer.
“You are what’s best for me, Mandy. You’ve been what’s best for me for years, even before Alistair saw what was between us and sent me gallivanting after you.
I’ve loved you for so long, and I’m sorry I wasn’t as brave as you. ”
She tipped her head back to stare up at him. “Brave? What do you mean?”
Christ, she smelled good, didn’t she? Hiro felt himself hardening in need. “You, Mandy, are the bravest person I know. You climb mountains, you swim depths, you—”
“You do all those things with me.”
“Hush, I’m complimenting you.” He dropped a kiss to her nose. “And you, Amanda Kincaid, are brave enough to love me, even when you didn’t know my feelings for you. I thought I was doing what was right, holding myself back…”
Her lips curled up in a wicked little grin as she rocked her hips forward, running her pelvis against his cock. “Holding yourself back, were you?”
Although she was teasing, he nodded solemnly. “I was. I’ve never allowed myself to…” To spill within you. “To claim you fully. To allow you to claim me.”
Her eyes had widened with understanding. “Are you ready now, my love? To claim a future with me?”
He was.
He was finally brave enough.
Slowly, he lowered his lips to hers.
Their kiss started slow and deep, but the desperation building in him seemed to be matched by her, because soon they were clutching at one another.
Hiro pulled away, breathing heavily. “Do you like this house?”
Her lips had found his throat. “I love it,” she murmured against his skin.
He was already unbuttoning her coat. “Let’s buy it. We can use this as our home when we’re in the area. Not bother our families.”
“Yes!” she gasped, her hands reaching for his belt. “Perfect. In between our travels?”
He could only groan in agreement when her small hand snuck inside his trousers. “Buy it—” he managed.
“I’ve already told the agent I’ll take it,” she confessed while stroking him. “Ideal for us, really.”
It was theirs already, then?
“Better make certain—” He broke off with a moan, then bent to pick her up, ready to be deep inside her. “Better make certain we like the bed.”
She was laughing as he stalked for the bedroom.
As Hiro carried Amanda into the quaint little room that would be theirs, a sense of rightness filled him.
The room was small, yes, but it was perfect for their needs.
After years of traveling, living out of trunks and bags and sometimes only what they could carry…
After years of stealing moments together in cramped hotel rooms and tents and dilapidated shacks… this space felt like a sanctuary.
A large window allowed the weak winter sunlight to filter in, casting a warm glow over the wooden floors and simple furnishings.
The hearth on the wall was the backside of the larger one in the main room, and would easily keep the place warm when lit.
The bed, tucked into the corner, was neatly made with a thick quilt that promised warmth and comfort.
Their future was ready for them. Waiting.