Love Me True by Heather Boyd

feet settled to the ground Clarry took in his amusement but a chill settled over her. “We will have a very bad sort of life if you do not trust me.” She fiddled with his cravat. “I had no intention of meeting with your brother. I will be bound to you under the worst circumstances but I promise not to be more of an embarrassment.”
    Justin dragged her closer, peering intently into her face. A blush heated her cheeks at his close scrutiny. She closed her eyes. Justin pressed his lips to her brow. “I’m not embarrassed. If anything, I think I might be reconciled to the idea.”
    “Reconciled?”
    Lord Justin sighed above her head then settled his chin to the top of her hair. “Content then.”
    Clarry fought to hold back a relieved grin and pressed her hands flat to his wide chest. A bubble of happiness had claimed her and she silently vowed to increase his contentment somehow. “Could we keep walking do you think?”
    “Surely. Where would you like to go?”
    Clarry turned around and looked into the next little valley. “Down there. I think I see a stream amongst the trees.”
    “I know just the path to take.” He held out his hand and she laid hers across his palm. “There is a deep hole down there my brother and I used to swim in as boys. I still like to go there when I need some peace.”
    Although, Clarry noted the hard edge to Justin’s mention of his brother, she ignored it. To learn anything about the man she would wed would undoubtedly bring up his brother in conversation. She’d just have to learn to ignore Lord Ramsbury. She smiled encouragingly and tugged him down the hill.
    They walked along, side by side when they could, Justin leading her by the hand when they couldn’t. For a time she forgot her troubles and concentrated on the warm fingers curled protectively around hers. Lord Justin continued to confuse her. One minute so soft and gentle, the next bristling, as if he’d remembered her entrapment and meant to despise her. She really shouldn’t be surprised but she couldn’t equate the angry man with her lover. He made her forget everything when he touched her.
    Clarry’s head jerked up when they stopped. “Oh, it’s so lovely here.” But she shivered as a chill wind rushed over her exposed skin. “Somewhat colder than the ridge top.”
    “Too cold for a swim. But when summer is full upon us it’s delightfully private here.” Lord Justin struggled from his jacket. “Do you swim by the way?”
    Clarry stared at the dark, slow moving water. “No, never. Father wouldn’t allow me to cavort in public like that. He only barely allowed me to accompany the duchess boating last spring. I’ve never gotten more than my fingertip wet in a stream.”
    Lord Justin’s heavy jacket settled over her shoulders. She glanced up to find his face inches from hers. A teasing smile lifted his lips. “Then you shall have to learn. I should like to swim with you.”
    “I’d rather not be dragged under and drowned by my fashions, thank you very much.”
    Justin’s hand curled around her head. “Ah, but you see that is the beauty of allowing me to teach you. I wouldn’t let you wear a stitch of clothing so there would be less risk of accidental drowning. I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to you.”
    Clarry’s breath rushed from her lungs as he dipped his head and covered her mouth with his. As his tongue invaded, she imagined the scandalous activity. Swimming naked next to her husband, his hands clutching her bare skin tight against his to keep her afloat. Clarry’s hands tightened on his lapels.
    Justin’s lips parted from hers. “Never fear. I’d be naked too. Couldn’t bear to have you becoming lonely. Besides, I’ve heard it’s possible to make love suspended in water. I’m dying to discover if it’s true.”
    Clarry pushed at his chest. “You cannot be serious. In there?”
    Justin settled her tight against his chest. “I’ve given the matter serious consideration and have