Page 66

Ciara nodded slowly, still guarded and cautious of this new development, but her hope flared up. “All right. We shall start all over… slowly.”

Her father’s face lit up with relief. “Thank you, Ciara. We won’t let you down.”

Her mother suddenly smiled, genuine warmth in her eyes. “We’d like to invite you both to dinner next week. A chance to begin again, the first step to a new life.”

Ciara glanced at Jonathan, who remained silent but watchful. She knew he had his reservations and that if it were left up to him, he would probably refuse their invitation. She also knew that he had every reason to do so. He was her guardian, and as such, he felt responsible for her which she appreciated.

However, this was a step she felt she needed to take. “We’ll attend,” she said, despite his reluctance.

Jonathan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t object. Instead, he stood beside her, a silent pillar of support. That was yet another indication of his deep affection for her.

As her parents left, Ciara turned to Jonathan, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision. “Thank you for standing by me.”

Jonathan pulled her into a gentle embrace. “I’ll always stand by you, Ciara. Just be careful. They’ve hurt you before.”

She nodded against his chest, feeling the strength of his arms around her. “I know. But maybe this time, things will be different.”

Jonathan seemed hesitant, as if there was something he wanted to divulge, but he changed his mind at the last minute. Instead, he kissed the top of her head, his voice a low murmur. “I hope so, for your sake.”

The promise of a new beginning hung in the air, fragile yet hopeful, and Ciara was eager to take it.

Jonathan sat in his study, endeavoring to focus on some ledgers, when a gentle knock on the door revealed Ciara’s face.

He was still displeased with how she handled her parents’ visit. He didn’t trust them. He didn’t believe that they truly changed just like that, almost overnight. It just didn’t seem credible. But seeing her so happy to have at least a small chance at a happy family almost broke him.

“Jonathan, are you busy?” she asked sweetly.

He smiled. “For you, never. Come in.”

She immediately did as he told her, showing him what she was holding in her hand. “The Kirdale’s sent us a letter, inviting us to their estate for a garden party.”

“Have they now?” he asked, tilting his head a little at her. There was always something new about her to notice, a new freckle that he had not seen before, a new manner of her lips moving as she spoke, as she smiled. He loved finding out new things about her.

“Yes, and of course, we have to attend,” she told him, placing the letter on the table that separated them.

“We do?” he asked, lifting a mischievous eyebrow. “But we just saw them… recently.”

“She is your cousin,” she reminded him.

“Exactly,” he chuckled. “She won’t be upset if I don’t come.”

Then, she walked around the table, gently placing her hands on his shoulders, stepped over his lap, and lowered herself.

“But I want you there with me,” she purred softly.

It would be a crowd of people he mostly knew, and for that reason, he would have preferred to stay home, but for some reason, Ciara seemed happy to attend.

“You do?” he asked.

He groaned silently, feeling himself harden underneath her. He knew she could feel what she was doing to him.

“Mhm,” she murmured softly, bringing her lips almost to his but not kissing him.

“You don’t know what you do to me, siren,” he said, biting his lip.

“Yes, I do. I am getting you to come with me,” she said, smiling like the vixen that he knew she was.

“Will I be rewarded for it?” he asked, feeling her hot breath spill all over his lips. He was dying to kiss her, but resisting the temptation was more fun.