They lay before the fire, wrapped in each other’s arms, while the sun moved across the sky.
‘We must get back,’ murmured Kitty.
‘Soon.’ Daniel nibbled at her ear.
Kitty gave a little gasp and struggled to sit up.
‘We will be missed,’ she said urgently. ‘Your mother will be waiting…’
‘No, we agreed she would take Bella home. I told her it might take me some time to…persuade you.’
Kitty turned to look at him. He was lying naked beside her, reminding her of the statues displayed in many of the grand houses she had visited with her godmother, although there was nothing cold or lifeless about Daniel. She reached out to touch him, her fingers splaying through the crisp black hair of his chest.
‘And…was I difficult to persuade?’
‘Very.’ With a growl Daniel pulled her back into his arms. ‘I am not convinced I have yet succeeded.’
They made love again and this time it was even more delightful as they explored new ways to please each other as their naked bodies tangled together. Later they took great pleasure in dressing each other, with much laughter and fevered kisses until at last they were ready to leave the little cottage. Daniel dropped a handful of coins in a cup on the hearth.
‘I would give her ten times as much if I had it on me,’ he declared, grinning. ‘The old mother has secured a wife for me.’ He caught Kitty up in his arms and kissed her. ‘You must marry me now, you shameless wench!’
She wound her arms about his neck and kissed him back fiercely until with a groan he put his hands on her waist and put her away from him.
‘If you do not behave I will have to take you again,’ he muttered. ‘Come along, we’ll walk to the top of the clough, then Marnie will carry us both home.’
‘I fear we will be very late,’ remarked Kitty. ‘And I was supposed to be collecting elderberries. What shall I tell Mama?’
‘We will tell her the truth, that you lost your basket in the beck.’
‘And my shawl, too! Oh dear, she will be so vexed with me!’
With a low laugh Daniel turned her to face him, catching her face between her hands.
‘I doubt she will give your shawl a thought when we tell her that you are going to be married!’
It was growing dark as they rode over the moor, Kitty sitting across the saddle in front of Daniel, enveloped in his arms. The sun had disappeared below the horizon and the first stars twinkled in the sky. Daniel lowered his head to rest his cheek briefly on her curls.
‘Happy?’ he murmured.
‘Mmmm.’
He reached for her left hand and raised it to his lips, kissing the finger that bore the little ring he had given her.
‘Tomorrow I shall buy you a diamond ring. The best I can find.’
‘Not too big,’ she protested. ‘I should be afraid of losing it, and I want to wear it, always.’
‘If you lose it I shall buy you another,’ he said grandly. ‘And you must have emeralds to replace the ones you left behind at Kirkleigh.’
Kitty shook her head. ‘Those jewels were never mine. They were intended for the next Lady Harworth.’ She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled closer. ‘I am so relieved it will not be me.’
‘You are not sorry, then, to be marrying a mere tradesman?’
She chuckled.
‘I am not, but I fear Mama might be disappointed.’
‘I have news that may be of some consolation to her.’
She sat up.
‘News?’
He grinned at her.
‘My father is to become a baronet. He will be Sir Samuel Blackwood.’
‘Oh, Daniel, how wonderful! How long have you known of this?’
‘Since I left London. I had several meetings in Whitehall while I was there, you see. My father has been helping Pitt with, ah, shall we say, financial support. The baronetcy is by way of a reward. And as it is hereditary, you will become a lady after all!’
She hugged him.
‘You are right. Mama will be delighted.’
‘And you are not?’
‘It does not matter to me at all. I only want to be your wife, Daniel.’
He brought Marnie to a halt.
‘Are you sure, Kitty?’
‘Perfectly sure.’
He cupped her face and kissed her.
‘I love you, Kitty Wythenshawe.’
‘To think we almost lost each other.’ She put her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder, gazing up at the darkening sky.
‘I am afraid if it had not been for me you could have married your baron,’ he said ruefully. ‘I will do my best to make sure you never regret it.’
She looked up at him, her eyes shining softly.
‘You told me once I was trying to catch the moon, do you remember? What I have now is so much better, Daniel. I have your love: I have the stars.’