Karrie paced and chewed her lip. John was right, if she kept this up she’d wear a hole in the rug, but she was too nervous to sit still. A servant had just left after informing her of Damien’s return. It also seemed he’d run into Sig on his way in and they had a confrontation. Sig must have told Damien what she said. He was probably furious.

Someone knocked and she spun to face the door. From the sewing room her mother said, “Get that, won’t you, dear?”

“Yes, Mom.” She straightened her hair and dress, took a breath, and opened it. Damien leaned in the doorway, a little frown on his face. He didn’t look furious, but he didn’t look happy either. “Hi.”

“Hi. Got a minute?”

She stepped aside and waved him in. Karrie went over to the couch and he sat beside her. She clasped her hands together. “How’d your mission go?”

“Fine. I caused a volcano to erupt. It was a first for me. Anything interesting happen while I was gone?”

Talk about a loaded question. “I heard you ran into Sig.”

“I did. He threatened to kill me. Apparently he’s under the impression you and I are engaged. How do you suppose he got a crazy idea like that?”

“About that, I admit I told him. He barged in here and started making demands. He said I was going to marry him like I had nothing to say about it.”

“Imagine that.”

“I know, the irony wasn’t lost on me. Anyway I said the first thing that popped into my head, that I was already going to marry you. He didn’t take it very well.”

“No kidding. I had barely landed when he burst out of the castle and challenged me to a duel. He said the winner would marry you.”

Karrie gritted her teeth. “What did you say?”

“I told him you weren’t a piece of meat for us to fight over and whatever happened you were free to marry whoever you wanted.”

He’d stood up for her. Even after she used him to deflect Sig. Heaven’s mercy, she loved him. Karrie didn’t deserve to marry someone so decent. “You said that?”

“I have an offer for you. If you’re willing to handling the politics and let me stay out in the field as much as I want I’ll accept your proposal.”

Her heart stopped for a moment. He was accepting. Even if he had conditions she couldn’t believe he was accepting. “You’ll marry me? Really?”

Damien nodded. “I can’t stand the idea of anyone treating you the way Sig tried to. I don’t love you, I won’t lie about that, but I do like you. You’re a sweet girl and you deserve better than to be treated like a prize pig at auction. We’ll get engaged and if between now and your eighteenth name day you find someone you prefer, well, that’s fine with me. Deal?”

She stared at him. It wasn’t the most romantic proposal, but he was giving her what she wanted and Karrie wasn’t about to complain. It was really going to happen. She couldn’t believe it.

Karrie leapt at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. Damien held her gently and she kissed his cheek. There was no passion in his reaction, but that was fine. They’d made a start and they could build on it. The important thing was they’d taken the first step.

After a moment he let her go. “I need to clean up. Will you be watching the duel tomorrow?”

“Since you’ll be fighting for me it would be rude if I didn’t.” She looked away then back. “Will you be okay? Sig’s really going to try and kill you.”

Damien snorted at that. “I suspect I’ll be fine. It would be easier if I was fighting to kill, but nevertheless I think I can handle it. See you later.”

He stood up and walked out. When the door had closed behind him Karrie leapt up and turned a pirouette. She’d won! Damien would be hers. She heard a noise and a moment later her mother’s arms wrapped around her from behind.

“Congratulations, Karrie. I told you Sig or John would be the key to convincing him. Who would have imagined protective instincts would beat out a hunger of power? He’s a rare boy. As long as you don’t mess up you’ll never have to fear anything again.”

Karrie clasped her mother’s hand. Damien was a rare boy. He wanted nothing from her and he’d even gone out of his way to stand up for her. Karrie wasn’t sure she was worthy of someone like Damien, but she’d do her best to make him happy.