Staring up at him, Merry swallowed hard. It was so difficult to breathe. Was her silly heart going to thump its way out of her chest? She wet her lips and barely shrugged. “I…uhm…do not know what to do. Forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” he said softly, as he cupped her face and leaned in closer. “Nothing to forgive at all, lass.”
Then his mouth was on hers. His warm lips. Soft. Insistent. Ever so perfect. She slid her hands up his chest, stepping into his embrace, clinging to him as she had when he pulled her from the river. A wonderful dizziness overtook her, weakening her knees. She molded herself against him and kissed him harder, hungry for all that he had to give.
With a soft groan, he lifted his head and blew out a ragged breath. “Lore a’mighty, my own. Ye’re as sweet as nectar.”
Trying to catch her breath enough to speak, she ran her fingertips along his jaw. The dark shadow of stubble bristled against her nails. “I did all right, then?” Good gracious, she needed… Well, she wasn’t sure exactly what she needed other thanmore.
He smiled again, thrilling her immensely. “Aye, lass. Ye did better thanall right.” He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, lingering there as if savoring the connection. “I hope ye feel the same.”
She hugged him tighter. “I feel delightfully inappropriate and wish we were already married.” Her wanton confession set her cheeks on fire. She surely had to be blushing as red as Mama’s reddest roses. She drew back a bit and peered up at him, hoping she hadn’t shocked him. “Should I not have said that?”
He groaned again, then gently set her aside. “I wish we were already married as well, and ye can say anything like that ye wish to me—any time ye wish.” He reached for her again and pulled her back into his arms. “Forgive me, lass, but I must have another taste before I go in search of yer brother.”
“Gladly.” She allowed him to draw her in for another kiss. This was so much better, so much more exciting, than the kisses her sister Fortuity had written about in her novels. The gentle hardness of his mouth. An urgency. A need that pounded into her as they explored as much as they dared. No wonder chaperones were so essential. Who knew kisses could be so wondrous and set her afire, making her want even more?
From somewhere in the distance, she vaguely heard Serendipity say something about Chance not calling out for her after all. Then a throat was cleared. Once. Twice. Then a great deal louder.
Duncan lifted his head and sheepishly increased the distance between them to a more respectable space. “I would like to speak to His Grace immediately,” he said to Serendipity. “Has his guest taken his leave yet?”
Serendipity waved him toward the door as she held it open. “Indeed, he has. Lord Brixham has left for the evening, and Chance is recovering with a glass of port in the library. I feel sure he would like you to join him.”
Duncan bowed over Merry’s hand. “I shall return shortly, my own.”
Unable to speak through all the emotions crashing through her, Merry nodded and watched him go, longing for him to return foranother forbidden embrace. It took her a moment to realize that Serendipity was staring at her with something akin to sadness. “Seri? What is it?”
“You are the last,” her sister said, her voice breaking. “How will I manage here all by myself?”
“You will finally be free,” Merry gently told her. “It will be time for you to find your own happiness.”
“I was happy looking after you and all the others,” Seri whispered. “I’ll not know how to behave.”
Merry took hold of her sister’s hands and held them tight. “You will learn. This will be the first time since Mama died, even before that, really, that you can look after yourself rather than always taking care of everyone else.” She hugged Serendipity close. “And I am not gone yet. The banns haven’t even been read. We have a month.” She couldn’t help but laugh. “And here I wanted to wait until Duncan and I knew one another better. Apparently, Lord Brixham helped me settle my mind. I shall have to thank him.”
“That oaf had the audacity to inform Chance that you were to be his viscountess.” Serendipity shuddered with barely controlled rage. “He didn’taskhis permission, buttoldhim. Can you believe it?”
“Out of that cod’s head? Absolutely.” Merry shuddered as well, a coldness washing across her at the very thought of the man. “You set Chance straight on that matter, did you not?”
“Of course, but in Chance’s defense, he told me he would never allow you to marry Lord Brixham even if you did think yourself in love with the selfish man. As it turns out, our brother has finally outgrown his wicked childhood playmate.”
“About time.”
“Chance will still be cordial to him.” Serendipity wrinkled her nose as if she smelled something burning in the fire. “But only as much as is required by Polite Society.”
“Well, I shall give him the cut direct.” Merry eyed the door to thehallway. “I hope it goes well between Chance and Duncan.”
“Chance as much as gave his blessing to Duncan at your birthday party, but the man seemed inclined to wait because that is what you wished.”
“Well…I am done waiting.” Merry pushed the door open and leaned into the hallway, straining to hear the slightest sound. “I don’t hear anything.”
“We are too far from the library. Unless they choose to shout, we won’t hear anything.”
“No shouting is good, correct?”
“Correct.”
Chance’s rumbling laugh echoed down the hallway, making Merry smile.
