Turning away, he began to pace. The sound of his boots as they struck the floor caused Sophia to wince at each footstep. “You do not know what to do with me I suppose,” she said, after watching him a few moments.
He paused in front of her and nodded, staring as if in deep deliberation. “This does present an unexpected complication.”
Sophia watched his chest rise and fall as he studied her and wondered if his heart pulsed and throbbed as violently as hers. She remembered the swiftness with which he had thrown his body between her and Tate, his unrestrained reflex, and knew he had done so, not as a soldier, but as a man.
“Not so complicated, really,” she said, smiling gravely. “You are free to do as you please.”
His chest heaved once as if his large heart suddenly twisted in its cage, and his words when he spoke were tender and gentle. “Freed by one hand perhaps, but entrapped by the other, Sophia.”
Sophia cocked her head as she studied him, trying to interpret his unreadable thoughts. “Entrapped?” Her tone made it clear that she found it unreasonable of him to act as if she had intentionally set out to entangle him. She turned away, lest he see the anger in her eyes, and heard him take a step forward. One arm soon reached out to encircle her waist and then the other, as he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I was entrapped the first time I met you, Sophia Adair, and have been so ever since.”
He had not surrendered easily, but it appeared he had done so completely. Sophia closed her eyes and took in the feel of his strong arms surrounding her.
“Forgive me for my reticence, Sophia.” He sighed. “I cannot rely on a gift of eloquence I do not possess.”
Yet when Sophia turned to face him, his expression spoke volumes, saying what words failed to say. He was a man who controlled his emotions and passion, but this time, the admiration and contentment expressed in his eyes was evident.
“Why do you fight it, Grant?” He frowned and turned away, as if he regretted looking weak or vulnerable.
Sophia didn’t know if he was angry at himself for being unable to resist her affection, or her for her offering it, but she could see in his manner that the detachment and distance had returned. He walked to the window, and did not speak or direct to her one glance for a few long moments, intent, it seemed, on suppressing every feeling and passion—expressing, confessing, and imparting nothing.
“You must understand I have a duty,” he finally said, turning around with his hands on his hips and staring at her as if that explained everything.
“So do I.” She put her hands on her hips and met his gaze with one equally as determined, but her words did not deter him.
“You cannot come with me. You must go someplace safe.” His voice was no longer gentle, and his words sounded more like an order than a statement.
“I will be safe with you.” Sophia smiled, hoping he would notice the sun pouring through the window in vibrant shafts of light, and how the world seemed to repose in beauty and peace—even though, deep down, she knew the serenity and tranquility would not last.
Grant stared at her intently, his eyes suffused with a private anguish. “No one knows how grievously untrue that is as well as myself. You must have lost your mind to say such a thing.”
“Not my mind. Just my heart.” Sophia remained steadfast. “Surely you do not mean to teach me the value of your affection by depriving me of it.”
His gaze met hers again with that unfathomable, inscrutable look of his, and for a moment he was silent and preoccupied. “I only wish my affection could be a shield to you.” She heard a catch in his voice halfway through, but he finished the sentence bravely. “For your valor in defending your country you should be honored as a patriot—not forced to live as a soldier’s bride.”
“It is your love I want, Grant—not honors.”
As his thoughts seemed to rest on her in quiet abstraction, she unfolded an arm, palm up for the taking. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached for it, his strong masculine fingers enclosing around her delicate hand.
“No one can boast as boundless a love as I have for you, Sophia.” He paused and swallowed hard. “I only worry that I cannot render myself worthy of the trust you have reposed in me.”
Never did the pulse of devotion beat stronger in a human heart, than when she stared into his midnight blue eyes. The expression in them was as promising in its assurance of affection as it was comforting in its power of restraint.
Grant drew her into his arms just as a beam of sunlight poured in through the window enveloping them both in a shaft of warm, dazzling light. For a few long moments, the seclusion, the sanctity, and the sun were too magnificent for speech.
Sophia finally broke the spell. “Then I can stay with you?”
She felt him tighten his embrace.
“I am yours to command,” he whispered.
Thank you for reading my novella.
I love to hear from readers, so please feel free to contact me through my Jessica James website, where you can also find out about future events, giveaways and new releases.
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Other books by Jessica James
THE LION OF THE SOUTH (April 2018)
THE LION OF THE SOUTH (April 2018)
AWARD-WINNING HISTORICAL FICTION
SHADES OF GRAY: ANNOTATED (LOST CHAPTERS)
SHADES OF GRAY: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia
NOBLE CAUSE (Book 1 Military Heroes Through History)
ABOVE AND BEYOND (Book 2 Military Heroes Through History)
LIBERTY AND DESTINY (Book 3 Military Heroes Through History)
HEROES THROUGH HISTORY BOXED SET (Books 1-3)
AWARD-WINNING SUSPENSE
MEANT TO BE: A Novel of Honor and Duty
DEADLINE (Phantom Force Tactical Book 1)
FINE LINE (Phantom Force Tactical Book 2)
FRONT LINE (Phantom Force Tactical Book 3)
HISTORIC NON-FICTION
FROM THE HEART: LOVE LETTERS FROM THE CIVIL WAR
THE GRAY GHOST OF CIVIL WAR VIRGINIA: JOHN S. MOSBY
WWW.JESSICAJAMESBOOKS.com
www.Facebook.com/RomanticHistoricalFiction
Literary Awards won by Jessica James novels
2017 IndieBRAG Medallion Winner
2016 Gold Metal Military Writers Society of America
2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Bronze Winner Romance – Suspense
2016 Finalist for BOOK OF THE YEAR in Foreword Magazine’s IndieFab contest
2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award
2014 Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist
2014 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2014 Reader’s Crown Award Finalist
2014 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2013 USA “Best Books 2013” Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year in Romance
2011 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2011 USA "Best Books 2011" Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
2010 Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction
2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme
2008 Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction
2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction
2008 IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction
2008 ForeWord Magazine Finalist for Book of the Year in Rom
ance category
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Also by Jessica James
Heroes Through History
Liberty and Destiny
Phantom Force Tactical
Deadline: A Phantom Force Tactical Novel (Book 1)
Standalone
From the Heart: Love Letters and Stories from the Civil War
The Lion of the South
Shades of Gray
Watch for more at Jessica James’s site.
About the Author
Jessica James is an award-winning author of suspense, historical fiction, and military fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day. She is the only two-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010.
Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy. By weaving the principles of courage, devotion, duty, and dedication into each book, she attempts to honor the unsung heroes of the American military—past and present—and to convey the magnitude of their sacrifice and service.
James resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and the Romance Writers of America.
When not writing, James stays active working part-time as a stagehand where she assists with shows ranging from country bands and stage plays, to operas, comedy acts and ballets.
Read more at Jessica James’s site.
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