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She looked into his eyes, searchingly. “Will I cause you a life of regret?”

“I think not.”

Unable to keep from it, he kissed her, doing his best to convey his newly-discovered feelings for her and praying that one day, she would feel the same for him. Never in his life had he been in love and more surprisingly, he hadn’t expected to be. He’d always been able to easily disengage his emotions from any physical attraction, but for some reason it was all but impossible now.

Just holding her against him, time spun faster, and his head and heart were lighter.

He deepened the kiss, and she grasped his shirt, making him envision that soon she would be able to touch his bare skin.

When Siobhan moaned, lifting her right-hand and combing her fingers through his hair, he wanted to shout for joy. Even if she didn’t love him, she was definitely not immune to his touch.

“If you do not go now, I will be unable to stop kissing you,” Miles murmured against her lips. “I will call on you tomorrow. We should be seen out in public as the invitations arrive at households.”

He pressed one last lingering kiss to her lips, and straightened, noting the darkening of her eyes. “Very well. Until tomorrow.” Her response was breathless.

“Siobhan,” Miles said, stopping her as she went to pass him. “Just so you know. I am not sorry to be marrying you.”

Her lips curved into a smile, just a bit. “Neither am I.”

If not for Jones appearing and standing by the door, he would have wrapped her in his arms and whirled her in a circle. “Until tomorrow then.”

For a long moment, she stared into his eyes. It was as if she wished to say something, but could not. Finally, she nodded and walked out.

He stood at the window watching the coachman assist her into an open-air carriage. There two women waited for her, one he recognized as her French friend who had accompanied her to the slum on Saturday mornings. He hoped her incident had impressed upon her the danger that going there alone exposed her to; as her husband, it would be up to him to keep her safe from now on. He was up to the task.

*

Siobhan found it impossible to sit still. The entire morning, she’d tried to distract herself, but nothing worked. Even when Charles came to call on Amelia, the short distraction barely helped. With a flushed face and bright expression, Amelia had appeared, wearing a soft yellow morning gown that suited her fair complexion. It made Siobhan happy to see her sister finally finding a suitor about whom she was excited. As they’d left for a carriage ride with their shared personal maid, Siobhan stood watch until the carriage disappeared.

Mind awhirl, she’d turned to face the room, wondering what she and Miles would do when he came to call. He’d said that afternoon and confirmed it by sending a calling card which was delivered that morning. Such formality. She’d not ever thought about what life would be like for someone of his class. She’d never had a reason to.

Her mother, of course, could barely contain her enthusiasm. Already, she’d sent out invitations for tea, so that she could brag of Siobhan’s engagement to the honorable Lord Miles. Not just that, but to emphasize that her daughter would be a duchess one day.

As for Siobhan, she would prefer if Miles were not titled. Even if he were the son of a simple lord would have been better for her, she supposed. The prospect of becoming a duchess was a daunting one and honestly, she had decided she would begin praying for his parents to live long lives, well into their hundreds, so she’d not have to worry about carrying such an exalted title.

A carriage pulled up, the Johnstone seal prominent on the door, and her heart began thundering against her breastbone. It was an open-air carriage, which she knew was because they had to be seen.

“Mother,” Siobhan called out. “Who will chaperone me?”

Her mother rushed into the room and to the window. “Oh dear. I assumed he would come later, and Amelia would be back.”

“Instead of a carriage ride, we can picnic in the garden,” Siobhan suggested, glad not to have to be out in public. “I actually prefer it.”

“That will not do. You must be seen.” Her mother went to the doorway just as the butler appeared.

“Lord Miles,” he announced as Miles walked up behind the man.

He greeted her mother, who acted as if King George himself visited. “My lord, please come in and make yourself comfortable.” Her mother motioned to a maid, who’d been instructed to present herself swiftly upon Miles’ appearance. “Lucille, see about refreshments for his lordship.”

“There is no need,” Miles said, sliding a look to Siobhan, who’d not had the opportunity to do more than nod in greeting. “I prefer to leave now and make the most of the pretty day.”

“I do not have a chaperone,” Siobhan said. “We may have to…” Penelope waved from the carriage.

Miles stated. “She insisted on coming.”

Siobhan returned to the window and indeed, the pretty sprite and another young woman were in the carriage. Her lips curved. It was the twosome who’d gotten themselves in trouble at the ball. “Good. I am happy to see them.”

Her mother looked disappointed. “Perhaps you can partake in refreshments upon your return.”