Page 39 of Almost a Countess

Oh, how she wished it had been. Somuch more wonderful than the awkward ones she’d shared with Tris.She shook her head. “No, but it should have been.”

His hand lingered on her face, warmagainst her skin. “By all rights, I should noo ask for yer hand inmarriage.”

Her breath stopped. She gazed at him,trying to discover if his words were perfunctory or if, perhaps,there was something more to them. I wouldn’t mind if youdid. The unexpected thought leaped to mind and almost out ofher mouth. She clamped her lips shut. While she could think such athing, it was much too soon to confess it. “I don’t believe that’snecessary.”

“Truly?” His startled looktook her aback. “Ye dinna fear for yer reputation,then?”

That reasoning would be sound, but noone knew of this new indiscretion save the two of them, and Dorawas certain he would not tell a soul. Neither would he divulge thathe had stayed under her roof without a chaperone. So he knew herreputation was safe as well as she did. Did that mean he mightactually wish to marry her? The import of that—after monthsof thinking no one would ever wish to wed her—all but took herbreath away. She had to wait a moment, gather her thoughts, beforereassuring him. “No, Finn. I trust you to keep it safe.”

He sighed and cast his gaze to theground. “It’s just as well ye said nae. In my current state ye’d begetting nae bargain with me for a husband.” He sat back, dejectionon his face. “If ye remember, I’m a criminal on the run from theauthorities.”

Hating to see him so despondent, Doraboldly took his hand. “But you will not be one forever, Finn. Youwill go to London, find your uncle, and this will all beover.”

“I ken the truth o’ that,but at the moment it disna feel true.” He wouldn’t look at her, buthe continued to hold her hand. “Scarlet hates me enough he may finda way tae make the charges stick and at the least have meimprisoned for half a year. Or worse.”

Dora bit her lip, thinking what shecould say to put the situation into a different perspective. “Idon’t think that’s what you’d need to be worrying about. If you didwish to marry me, you’d have to run a worse gauntlet thanLieutenant Scarlet and his men.”

“What dae ye mean?” Atleast she’d gotten his attention.

“As I am only nineteen,you’d have to ask my father’s permission.” She grinned at him. “Iwarn you, he is ruthless in both his business and personal life.You would not have an easy time of it.”

“Are ye actively tryin’tae deter me from asking for yer hand, Miss Harper?” The lightnesshad come back into his tone, and Dora thanked goodness forit.

She gave his hand a squeeze. “I’m justwarning you, it would not be an easy task.”

“Nor one I could undertakeuntil the other matter is resolved.” He lifted her hand and placeda kiss on the knuckles. “I must clear my name afore I can moveahead with my life.” He gazed at her, a strange light in his eyes.“Perhaps when that happens, I’ll ask ye again.”

“Perhaps by then my answerwill have changed.” If only they could have some time to know eachother better.

“We’ve kenned each other ashort while only.”

He seemed to have caught her thoughts.She’d never had that happen with anyone else.

“Yesterday I was nothingmore tae ye than a nuisance. And two days ago, ye’d never evenheard o’ me.” He squeezed her hand and let it go. “Life can changein an instant, m’eudail. Dinna think it canna.”

Dora sat back, mulling that over. Hewas right; life changed from moment to moment. They had been flungtogether in a stressful situation. No wonder she now had warmfeelings for the man she’d rescued. Who wouldn’t have? But how didshe know her own interest in him wasn’t simply born of loneliness?And would that change once she met other gentlemen? “I suspect youare correct in that. We only know a little about eachother.”

His face broke out in the mostcharming of smiles. “But we dae ken some things, dae we no’? Forme, a little time has yielded a big harvest. I ken ye’re kind andwitty. Funny and intelligent. All qualities most necessary in awife.” He chuckled. “At least for me. Sae ye’re well on the way taebeing at the top o’ my list.”

“Oh, I am?” Arrogant inall things, even a faux proposal. Of course, she’d not expected himto speak of affection or love. Not really. Not when they’d knowneach other but two days. Her own feelings, which ran hot and cold,were likely what they called calf love, and could change like themoon in all her cycles. Still, she would have liked to hear that heesteemed her not solely for these sterling attributes, but for somedeeper manner of feeling. She did a mock bow. “You do me greathonor, my lord, in deigning to place me on yourlist.”

“Och, lassie. Dinna befooled.” That fierceness returned to his voice, and she caught herbreath. “My blood runs hotter than the midsummer sun when I look atye.” He gazed intently at her, and she began to feel the heat aswell.

Without warning, he swooped in again,taking her lips, though there was nothing gentle about it thistime. He took and took, kiss after rapturous kiss.

Her head began to spin. She couldn’tbreathe but didn’t want to stop kissing him long enough to take abreath. Falling backward. She was falling…

Dora sat up sputtering, the sickeningsmell of sal volatile still in her nose. “What…”

Finn held her silver filigreevinaigrette up for her to see. “I hated tae dae it, but I dinna kenwhat else tae dae.” He smiled and stroked a stray strand of hairback over her head. “Although I must say I’ve never kissed anyonewho swooned because o’ it.” He cocked his head. “Has this everhappened before?”

“You make it seem like I’ma…a Jezebel. I’ve only ever kissed Tris before.” She sat upcautiously, but the spell had passed. “And it was nothing likethat.”

“Good.” He passed the vialto her. “If I wasna yer very first kiss, at least I will be thefirst tae kiss ye intae oblivion.”

“Yes, that honor is allyours, Finn.” She grinned at him and began to gather their dishes,a calmness spreading through her. For now, she had an inkling of away forward. They must see what the next days and weeks wouldbring. If he could stay here at Bromley, it would be easier forthem to determine if their spark could burst into the flame thosekisses had promised. Dora automatically continued stacking dishwareuntil the picnic hamper was filled. If he had to leave, well, thenit would be harder for them to grow closer. But not impossible,surely.

Finn scattered some crumbs of leftoverbannocks for the birds, corked the bottle of wine, and stored it inthe hamper. “Are ye ready tae return?”