Carcel reached for her hand—the one with the ink stain on the finger. He lifted it.
He brought her knuckles to his lips. He placed a gentle, lingering kiss on them, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Every day," he whispered against her skin. "Every morning when we wake up. Every night before we sleep. I will show you that I love you. Until you are so tired of hearing it, you beg me to stop."
Ines felt her heart melting. It was a physical sensation, a warmth spreading through her chest.
"I won't," she whispered. "I won't beg you to stop."
Carcel smiled against her hand.
He shifted his grip, holding her waist tightly, bringing her even closer to himself until there was no space between them. He wanted her to feel his heart beating. He wanted her to feel the truth of him.
"So, Lady Hamilton," he said, his voice dropping to a low, formal tone that was ruined by the love in his eyes.
He tilted his head.
