Chapter 13 #3
Sylvie started to reach toward him, her eyebrows drawing together while her lips parted. “Miles, if this is too strange for you, I can speak to the men on my own. Surely, I won’t make a mess of a simple conversation. Although my mother would say that I could make a mess of breathing.”
The self-deprecation in Sylvie’s tone made Miles want to hunt down Mrs. Bryce and give her a piece of his mind. How could she have made her own child feel so terrible about herself?
Unable to help himself, he took a long stride to stand right in front of her again.
Secrets be hanged, he refused to allow this amazing woman to dislike who God had created her to be.
He grasped her chin with his thumb and index finger and tilted her head back up to meet his gaze.
The uncertainty there made him long to kiss away her insecurity, but words would have to do.
“You are more than capable. I’ve never known a woman who could make so many things happen the way she wanted.
Except for my mother, and she’s a force to be reckoned with, so that’s a high compliment. ”
The doubt in her eyes melted into curiosity. “You don’t speak about your family or England much.”
What was there to say when what happened in his homeland nearly took his life from him?
An urge to tell her everything sprang up out of nowhere, catching Miles by surprise.
He’d hoped to know she returned his growing feelings before revealing the sordid details of the past. As much as he wanted to deviate from that plan now, he had to remain cautious.
“No, I don’t, and for good reason. I didn’t leave under the best of circumstances. ”
She regarded him with a tilt of her head that made him feel she heard more than just his words. “You can tell me about it, you know. I understand a little about things that seem better kept to yourself.”
If only he could respond with a knowing smile to let her see that he understood what she was referencing.
But Miles only dropped his hand from her chin and put a bit of distance between them, realizing anew how intimate the scene would look if anyone came around the corner of the cabin.
“The details are hardly fit for a lady. Suffice it to say that I’ve had a much easier time here.
The opportunity to reinvent myself has been more appreciated than anyone could know. ”
Turning to gaze over the water, Sylvie bit her lower lip for a moment. “Reinvention could be a blessing in some cases, but what if it only turns out to bring more complications?”
Was she doubting her lady archer persona?
What could Miles say that would reassure her but wouldn’t reveal everything he knew?
“The complication might be temporary. When my father and brother died, I felt I was being reinvented against my will. And then when…other things went awry, I was forced to do so once again. But it all brought me here, to the place where I can do what I wanted to all along.”
Her gaze sharpened as she looked back at him. “Do you think God plays a part in that? In forcing us to reinvent ourselves?”
Miles’s breath caught as her question brought the issue into focus in his mind.
Was that what the Bible meant when it said God would work all things out for good?
Not that every moment would be smooth and easy, but that God would use the terrible, tragic circumstances that were all too common in life to mold people into what He intended all along?
Miles nodded. “I believe that might be it exactly. Do you agree?”
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “I’m not sure. Why would He make it so difficult? I’ve been nothing but an obedient daughter my entire life. What more could He want from me?”
“The Bible encourages us to continually grow in faith, correct? But we tend to fight against growth. Would you have made the effort to change if it wasn’t pushed on you? I wouldn’t have.”
A light dawned in her eyes, filling Miles to the brim with warm feelings he refused to examine. “I don’t want to admit it, but you might be right.”
The teasing lilt had returned to her voice, the one she often used when they were deep in conversation.
He adored it. Unfortunately, they couldn’t remain hidden for much longer.
Every second they did so increased their chances of being caught.
“Do you think we ought to return to the party? I wouldn’t want you to be forced into anything else, such as an unwanted marriage to protect your reputation.
Plus, we have a task to accomplish tonight. ”
Unreadable emotions flitted across her face as he spoke.
She hid them, but Miles was left with the distinct idea that she hated his practical reminders about the reality of their situation.
If pressed, he would have to admit he hated them too.
But he refused to be the reason her choice of a husband was taken away from her.
No matter how much he wished she would come to care for him, for now, he must follow through on his promise to help her investigate the other men.
For Sylvie’s sake, he could wait for the right time to reveal himself.