“Jonathon… I feel as if I’m going to—”
His strong arms wrapped around me at the moment my knees gave way. I could barely hear the sound of my mother’s voice as my world turned black.
• • •
My body was on fire. I was consumed by the most intense, yet beautiful, heat. I had never felt such a thing, and I never wanted it to end.
“Quinn, can you hear me?”
The sound of his voice made me smile. I opened my eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of those sky-blue eyes. Instead, my mother stared down at me with a concerned expression. I whispered in disbelief, “The carriage house. You said his name.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. I quickly realized my blunder and turned to Jonathon. The moment I realized I was in his arm, my brain seemed to leave my body.
With a dreamy grin, I spoke when I should have kept my lips pressed together tightly. “This feels lovely. You feel lovely.” My eyes widened in horror while a shy grin tugged at the corner of Jonathon’s mouth. “What I mean to say is that I enjoy this. No. No, that is not what… well it was… No, no. You see, what I meant to say was—”
My mother sighed and murmured for me to hush my mouth.
“Mr. Young, please assist my daughter to her feet, if you would? It seems your very presence has caused her to lose herself… in more ways than one.”
I glared at my mother while Jonathon’s strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me with ease.
I was on fire. Alive with a deep, burning emotion in my chest. It was exactly how Ayana described it would be when I found my true love.
True love. Nonsense, Quinn. Stop this silliness.
Pressing my lips together to keep from uttering something foolish, my gaze drifted over to my beloved abby. Ayana was like a second mother to me. I hid nothing from her. Not even my darkest desires. Her grin told me she knew exactly what was happening to me. My cheeks heated, and I promptly began to straighten out my dress, making a note to discuss these emotions with her when we were alone.
“Thank you, Jonathon, um, Mr. Young. I’m fine now. The heat must have gotten to me.”
With a quick nod of his head and smile that sent gooseflesh across my body, Jonathon tipped his hat and turned to my mother. “If all is well then, I shall bid you both good day.” His eyes moved to mine. “Miss Soloman, may I call on you?”
Before my brain caught up with my lips, I quickly replied, “Yes. Yes, you may, Mr. Young.”
My very breath stalled when his eyes lit up with happiness. In an instant, I knew I wanted to make him that happy each and every day.
“Enjoy your reunion with your loved one, Mrs. Soloman, Quinn.”
Jonathon turned quickly and walked toward his awaiting carriage. He glanced in my direction once more before stepping in and disappearing from my sight.
“Dare I say you are smitten with Mr. Young?” my mother whispered in my ear.
Unable to look away from his retreating carriage, I grinned. “He is barely tolerable.”
She chuckled. “Yes, frightening man to look at, as well. I had a terrible time even speaking with him, he was so ghastly.”
With a slight giggle, I turned to my mother. “He is rather handsome, is he not?”
“Indeed, he is.” Her smile faded. “Darling, when you woke, you uttered something to me.”