by Jeannie Lin
She hesitated, searching his face. Finally she set her instrument aside and took the letter.
“That poem I promised you,” he said as she opened it.
“This is no poem,” she protested as she unfolded the paper inside to reveal a column of figures. Then she read through the entire letter. She looked up at Cheng to see the corners of his mouth twitching.
She bent her head to inspect the document one more time. “I was wrong,” she said, her throat threatening to close up. “It’s a beautiful poem.”
Cheng had paid off the troupe master. All her debts were cleared.
“I had to do it,” he said softly. He took a step closer. “After what you did.”
“Please don’t mention that.” Her face burned with shame. “It was all one mistake after another. I was only trying to set things right.”
“I wasn’t talking about you bribing the head of the ward.” He reached out to stroke his thumb along her cheek. “I meant what you did for me. When I first took the exams, I was afraid of expressing any opinions. I echoed the classics with cold efficiency, afraid of overstepping my bounds. You made me remember what it was to aspire, to risk everything. You showed me how to be fearless.”
“Reckless,” she corrected him.
He grinned. “That as well.” Then his voice lowered, deepening with emotion. “You’re why I passed.”
“Nonsense,” she scoffed, blinking furiously. She looked down to stare at the letter. “But this is very generous. Thank you.”
He still hadn’t told her what she was hoping to hear: that he’d missed her. That he could think of nothing else. She should have known better than to dream like that. Her freedom was more than enough. The ring of laughter interrupted her thoughts.
“Rose... Jia. Do you think I learned nothing from you? This isn’t generosity.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at him. “Then what is it?”
“An offer.” He slid his arms around her, tugging at her so that she tumbled against him. “A bargain. A bribe.”
She steadied her hands against his chest. He felt so good. “What for?” she asked.
His voice lowered and his hold tightened around her. “So you’ll agree to be my wife.”
“I can’t.” She struggled against him, but it was only nominal at best. She’d dreamed of being in his arms every night they were apart. “You have a shining future ahead of you. You can have any match you want. A girl from a good family.”
“I want a woman who can take on lords and vagabonds alike.”
“But—”
Cheng silenced her with a kiss. Her limbs weakened at the possessiveness in his embrace. She fit herself to him and closed her eyes, letting his solid shape and presence surround her. She’d wanted him so much that it was painful to even think of it.
“I can do this until you stop arguing,” he threatened. “Forever if I need to.”
She started to renew her protest, but Cheng simply kissed her again to deliver on his threat—just as she’d hoped he would.
* * * * *
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ISBN-13: 9781488004353
Swords and Surrender
Copyright © 2016 by Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
The Touch of Moonlight
Copyright © 2016 by Chi Nguyen-Rettig
The Taming of Mei Lin
Copyright © 2010 by Chi Nguyen-Rettig
First published as a Harlequin Historical Undone! ebook
The Lady’s Scandalous Night
Copyright © 2011 by Chi Nguyen-Rettig
First published as a Harlequin Historical Undone! ebook
An Illicit Temptation
Copyright © 2012 by Chi Nguyen-Rettig
First published as a Harlequin Historical Undone! ebook
Capturing the Silken Thief
Copyright © 2012 by Chi Nguyen-Rettig
First published as a Harlequin Historical Undone! ebook
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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