Chapter 12

Anthony worried he might have confessed too much. Judging from Ada’s stricken expression, this was the last thing she thought he would say. But the magical effect of the setting, enhanced by the balmy evening air and subdued lighting, had prompted him to be honest.

It had been an impromptu confession and yet it felt utterly right. If he could have anything in the world, it truly would be her. And yet he was starting to worry she might not feel the same way. Her wide-eyed expression certainly made him doubt it. His heart gave a nervous jolt, and he realized to his dismay that his fingers were trembling.

Please say something, Ada.

“I can’t imagine why,” she told him, her gaze searching his as though she half expected him to retract his statement at any moment. “And no, I am not fishing for compliments, but I’m sure there must be something else you would rather choose. If you recall, it’s a hypothetical question so you can pick anything you like.”

“And what I would like is you,” he told her, weaving their fingers together and doing his best to keep his rising panic at bay. Was there a chance he’d misjudged her? Could it be that she did not feel the same way? Had his growing attraction toward her been wholly one sided? He winced in the face of such possibility and stiffened his shoulders. “You’re wonderful, Ada, in every conceivable way. The dedication and loyalty you show your uncle is admirable, your patience and kindness with me remarkable, the help you’ve offered me and my friends entirely selfless, and the company you’ve given me these past weeks has only increased my thirst for more. You are exceptional, Ada, no doubt about it. So yes, if I could have anything in the world, it would without doubt be you.”

She was gawking at him as though he’d sprouted horns, which made him self-conscious in a way he’d not been since he was a boy. It was deuced uncomfortable to say the least.

And then she shook her head causing his heart to tumble, for he was now sure she would let him know that these feelings of his were misplaced.

Instead, she sniffed and gave her eyes a hasty swipe before saying, “I would wish for the same. For you, that is. My heart is yours. It always will be.”

He could scarcely believe it. The happiness flooding his veins could not be measured. It was an overwhelming maelstrom of emotion that threatened to slay him completely.

And then it hit him, with as much force as the book had hit her the day they’d first met.

He loved her. How could he not when she was the kindest, loveliest, most wonderful person he’d ever encountered?

He wanted to grab her, spin her around in his arms, and hoot with joy.

But such things weren’t done. At least not without repercussion. He’d have to propose on the spot, robbing her of a say in the matter. Not an option. He had to maintain control, lest he ruin the moment by forcing her into a marriage she might not want.

He’d have to determine the right course of action. While courting her.

Yes, there was the right path for him to follow – a proper courtship culminating with an offer of marriage. Which would give him time to figure out how exactly to make this work.

With his recent success at acquiring funds, he was confident he’d find a way to finance his sisters’ debuts and support a wife, provided everyone behaved economically.

There were other concerns to consider, however.

Gossip would be rife the moment Society learned that a duke meant to marry a shopkeeper’s niece. Time would likely be required for Ada and her uncle to adjust. And planning would go a long way as well in preventing a scandal.

It was vital he take care – that he not rush into this like the blundering youth he’d once been. So he took a deep breath, set her hand upon his arm, and led her down toward the garden. Surely there, he’d find the sort of spot he required, a place for him to express himself without having watchful gazes assessing his every move.

“Where are we going?” she whispered when they reached a flagstone path.

“Not sure yet,” he muttered. He glanced around and made a quick note of where other guests were located. Curse Axelby for planning an open garden without the proper seclusion one might find from trees and bushes.

A door beneath the terrace, all the way to the far right, caught his gaze so he headed toward it with Ada in tow. He sent a swift glance over his shoulder, then tried the handle. It was locked. Damn it.

Expelling a breath, he turned to Ada. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be alone with you for a moment without any risk of being seen, but it seems impossible.”

She bit her lip and continued past the door, taking him with her until they’d turned the corner. A narrow space here offered a six-foot partition between the house and the property line and it was completely empty.

Anthony grabbed Ada’s hand, moving her farther along until they blended in with the darkness. Eager to hold her, he pulled her into his arms a little more roughly than he’d intended. Her chin bumped his chest, and she gave a squeak.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “I just…oh dear. Are you all right?”

She was shaking so much he feared she was crying until she produced an unladylike snort. This was instantly followed by laughter. “You seem to have a talent for giving me head injuries.”

He chuckled and apologized once again while adjusting his body to hers. Having her in his arms comforted him in a way nothing else ever could. They belonged together. Nothing was as perfect as holding her close, of having her fragrance envelope his senses, of finally knowing her heart was aligned with his.

“I believe I’m starting to grasp the concept of romance,” he murmured while pressing his cheek to the top of her head. “It’s this. Isn’t it, Ada?”

“And all the moments that brought us here combined.” She sighed as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back without reserve.

He shifted, allowed his mouth to brush over her temple, then pressed his forehead to hers. His fingers splayed firmly across the back of her waist, holding her to him while each of his breaths washed over her skin. She shuddered slightly and arched just enough to suggest a desire for more.

Moving slowly, with every intention of letting her choose just how much she wanted to share in this moment, he grazed the bridge of her nose with his mouth, angled his head, and then paused for a second. His muscles flexed in response to the rigid restraint he willed himself to heed. She sighed, a small puff of air that caressed his lips.

“Ada?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

He cradled her gently and considered the way her hands wound round his neck, how her body swayed closer, and the tell-tale tilt of her chin as she angled her face toward his. Resisting was futile. He wanted this – wanted her. Hell, wasn’t this why he’d sought a private location? For this precise reason?

The distance between them vanished and he was lost – lost in the softness of her, the scent of peonies wafting around her, the feel of her body pressed against his. And the taste. He’d try to find the words to describe it later, but for now, perfection would do.

She made a deliciously throaty sound in response to his kiss, and he tightened his hold, gripping her slightly harder while moving his mouth against hers. Nibbling gently, he drew her lower lip between his own. Her gasp of surprise was all he needed to deepen the sweet caress, but the way she stiffened suggested she might not be ready for things to progress quite so quickly.

He drew back and kissed the edge of her mouth. “Forgive me. That was perhaps too bold.”

“No. Well yes. I mean…you caught me by surprise, that’s all.”

“So you don’t mind?”

She dipped her chin. “I’m sorry. I must seem terribly ignorant to you.”

“Not at all.” He placed his fingers beneath her chin and gave it an upward nudge. A lock of hair had come loose so he tucked it behind her ear, taking great care to keep his movements slow and gentle. “It simply means you’ve never been kissed before, and frankly, I love that about you. I love knowing I am the first, Ada.”

“I suppose it’s a good thing the same can’t be said about you,” she said with a nervous laugh, “or we’d never get past just pressing our mouths together.”

He grinned. “It’s true that I’ve some experience, though I dare say it’s not as extensive as you might imagine. In fact, you’re the first woman I’ve kissed in nearly a year. And while that may not seem impressive to you just yet, I hope the time will come where you will appreciate just how meaningful that is for a man my age.”

She tilted her head as though studying him even though he knew the darkness prevented her from discerning his expression. “I wonder if we might try again?”

God, yes!

“I’d love to.” He lowered his head. “With your permission?”

“Of course.”

While he still chose to take the kiss slow, this time was different because she knew what to expect. Not only that, she proved a willingness to match his movements, permitting herself to taste him with equal fervor until they were both rendered breathless.

This time, it was he who gasped as she speared his hair with her fingers and nipped at his lips with her teeth. Good lord, the woman was a quick study, heating his blood and making him want a hell of a lot more than kissing.

He grabbed her hips and drew her flush up against him while struggling to catch his breath. “We should stop before this gets out of hand.”

Before he found himself beyond the point of no return and did things he’d surely regret. It was imperative he put her first. Heaven have mercy, he’d promised her she’d be safe with him, yet here she was, about to be ravished if he weren’t careful.

Lips parted, she panted slightly while staring at him. “I know you’re right and yet there’s the most profound urge inside me compelling me to continue. It’s strange – something new I’ve not felt before. I’m not sure whether it’s good or bad or what exactly.”

“It can be both,” he informed her, easing her away from his body. Her arms came loose from around his neck. She dropped them to her sides and while he mourned the loss of having her so incredibly near, he knew it was for the best. “I suppose it depends on the situation. For an unmarried couple, the feeling you just described can lead to disaster.”

“Of course. I should have realized.”

“No. I am the experienced one and as such I’m also the one responsible for what might happen between us if we’re not careful. Make no mistake about it, Ada, I crave you with every fiber of my being and nothing would please me more than…”

Giving you pleasure.

Joining my body with yours.

Watching you come undone in my arms.

He cleared his throat and adjusted his posture, then scrubbed one hand across his jaw while trying to decide how best to proceed. Because now that he’d had a taste, there could be no going back. One way or the other, he would make her his.

“Yes?” she queried.

He took a deep breath and attempted to think of something that might cool his ardor enough for him to return indoors without making a scene. Squandering his inheritance came to mind and quickly did the trick.

“Sorry,” he muttered. “I just needed a moment to gather my wits.”

“Oh. I see.”

Did she? Anthony seriously doubted it. He caught her hand and raised it to his lips for a swift and, in his opinion, necessary display of affection. “We ought to return to the ballroom now, but I’ll call on you Ada. Tomorrow. I promise.”

“I look forward to that,” she said, her voice conveying a shyness her kiss had decidedly lacked.

He smiled at her fondly though it was unlikely she saw the expression. No matter, he decided, taking her by the arm and escorting her back the way they’d come. There would be plenty of time for him to show her just how much he cared in the coming days, weeks, months, and if all went as he hoped…years.