lip.
"Does it? " he asked again.
She studied him. His eyes were captivating, and she wondered if he had
any idea how amazingly handsome and virile he was.
"I'm sorry . . . What did you ask me? " He laughed softly. "What
were you thinking about? " "How handsome you are, " she admitted.
"I'm glad you want me, " she blurted out. "But I'm not Kathleen. "
"No, you're not."
"I can't replace her."
"I don't want you to replace her. I just want . . . " "Yes? " "You,
Grace. Just you." His hand moved to the back of her neck, and he
pulled her toward him.
"I want to kiss you. Is that all right? " She loved the fact that
he'd asked permission. "Yes, Daniel. I want you to kiss me. I've
waited for such a long time." He was stunned by her honesty and felt a
tightness in his chest when she shyly put her arms back around his
neck.
His mouth captured hers in a kiss that was anything but proper. His
touch was possessive, almost violently so, and yet there was a
tenderness in the way he coaxed her into responding. His tongue swept
inside to taste the sweetness within.
The kiss was long and thorough, but when it ended, he wanted another.
She pulled away and walked to the window, staring vacantly for a full
minute before she remembered what she'd wanted to do. Her hands were
trembling, and it took considerable effort to get the lock unlatched
and the window up.
When she passed Daniel again, she hoped he'd grab her once more, but he
didn't. His eyes were closed, and his head rested against the back of
the chair.
She resumed her vigil by Cooper's side. Daniel slept until the middle
of the night and came awake with a start when Cooper began to thrash
about. Grace was sitting on the bed, trying to calm him. Her soft
voice did the trick, for within seconds Cooper was auiet once again.
"How's he doing? " he whispered.
"I can't tell, " she answered. "He's fitful, but the fever doesn't
seem to be as high."
"I'll sit with him, Grace. You should try to get some sleep. You look
worn out."
"I'll rest in a little while, " she promised. "My mind is racing
now.
I've been worrying about Rebecca. Do you think she's still alive? I
pray she is."
"I doubt it, " he said. "My mind's also racing with questions. I
can't figure out why the compartment was empty. It doesn't make any
sense."
"I don't understand." He leaned forward and braced his hands on his
knees. "The porter said the compartment Cooper and Rebecca shared
looked as though it hadn't been occupied."
"Yes, I remember."