Chapter Ten #2
There wasn’t a way to steer the conversation to Camden, so she said her goodbyes and walked out.
When Anne stepped out of the bakery, the spring air did little to clear the turmoil in her thoughts. The name Eara followed her like an echo she could not shake. She tried to place it. Tried to remember the woman. Perhaps she’d not lived in the village, but in the area.
At colliding with someone, an apology sprang to her lips. “I am so very sorry…” Her breath caught at recognizing the piercing green eyes that looked down at her.
“Camden,” she uttered, unsure why she’d said his name. “I didnae see ye.”
His eyes caught and held hers, steady and searching. “Anne.”
He reached out, his hand closing around her arm, firm yet gentle, as though he feared she might fall. He didnae release her at once, and Anne felt the warmth of him seep through wool and linen alike. It was foolish how much she noticed it. Foolish how much she wanted him to keep hold of her.
“I best be on my way,” she murmured, glancing to where his hand remained.
“It is fortunate that I ran into ye,” Camden said, his voice calm but intent. “I wish to speak with ye. Please, come to my shop.”
She eyed the doorway to the apothecary. “Very well. I do require some herbs.” It was best to clarify things. Though she wished they could do it here, and she could be on her way. But speaking on things that had occurred by the creek out where anyone may overhear might not be for the best.
So she allowed him to guide her inside, suddenly wondering about her appearance. She still wore the same clothing as the day before and had done little more than run her fingers through her hair before plaiting it into a single braid. Surely, she looked a fright.
A huff escaped, not only had the man seen her at her worst—stark naked—but he’d also used her to make Moyra jealous.
The apothecary greeted her with its familiar scents: dried lavender, crushed rosemary, and the faint bitterness of roots steeped in oil. The space always brought her comfort. Even now, the tension in her shoulders eased, though the ache in her chest didnae.
“What is it ye wished to say?” Anne asked, her tone quiet but guarded.
Camden didn’t seem to have expected her firm tone because his eyes widened just a bit. To his credit, he hesitated, as though choosing his words with care. “I ken ye heard what Moyra said at Agnes’s burial,” he said.
When Anne stayed silent, he cleared his throat. “She and I are only friends. I will admit she may consider it to be more.”
The proclamation was shocking and still a niggle of doubt remained.
“It matters nae,” Anne said softly. “There must be a reason for nae just Moyra, but the entire village to believe ye are courting.”
Her eyes stung, and she turned her face away, unwilling to let him see how close she was to tears. She was tired of feeling foolish. Tired of wondering if she would always stand on the edges of other people’s lives.
She stepped aside, preparing to leave. “Dinnae trouble yerself over it, Camden. I have nae thought on it since.”
“I am truly sorry,” he said in a strange tone.
Against her better sense, Anne looked at him.
They were standing far too close. Close enough that she could feel the heat of him, could see the concern etched into his expression.
“I wished to ride with ye because I wanted to be close,” he said quietly. “Because I am drawn to ye.”
Her breath caught. “Why would ye say such a thing?”
“Because it is the truth,” Camden replied. “And because I will nae pretend otherwise. I cannae stop thinking about ye.”
Before she could react, Camden cupped her chin, and his mouth closed over hers.
The feel of his lips over hers sent chills of awareness over every inch of her body.
Although tense at first, Anne was unable to keep from melting against him and kissing him back.
The release of something she couldn’t identify was so strong that when he wrapped his arms around her and tilted his head to deepen the kiss, a moan escaped her lips.
She should have pulled away. She knew that. Instead, she leaned into him, her hands curling into his tunic as if seeking balance. The warmth of his mouth, the quiet certainty of him, melted something inside her she’d worked so hard to keep contained.
Tentatively, she reached up to rake her fingers through his hair, loving the feel of the soft locks slipping through her fingers.
Camden’s tongue probed at her lips, and she eagerly parted them to allow him full access.
Once again a moan sounded, it was deep and guttural.
Anne’s body reacted at realizing it was Camden who made the sound.
That she had such an effect on him gave her a sense of power, a giddy feeling in her stomach.
Eara.
The name sounded in her mind, and for a moment, she thought someone had spoken it. No, it wasn’t out loud; it was recalling what she’d overheard at the bakery just moments earlier.
It was as if a bucket of cold water was suddenly poured over her. Placing her palms flatly on his broad chest, she pushed back.
His chest lifted and lowered as he tried to get his breathing under control, and Anne realized she did the same.
“I didnae mean to get carried away. I only wished to kiss ye,” Camden said in a breathless voice. He’d no idea the reason she’d pushed away, thinking she wasn’t used to being kissed so intimately.
Anne wasn’t sure what to say. She knew she wanted more. To spend more time with him. To consider if there was perhaps something more forming between them. But at the same time, there were things to consider.
What about Moyra? He had to clear things up with her.
What if Camden was still in love with the woman Eara?
“I had better go,” she said. “I… must visit Florie,” she finished weakly.
Camden reached out to her, but she pretended not to notice and rounded him to go to the door.
“Anne,” Camden said. “What I said is true. I wish to get to ken ye. I wish to—”
“I best go,” Anne repeated rushing out the door. It was only when the fresh air blew across her hot cheeks that she felt as if coming out of a trance.
The bread she’d purchased was flattened. Ruined. But she’d not return to the bakery. At the moment, it was best to get away from the apothecary and the many questions that came with Camden Lewis.