His head jerked back as if she’d struck him.
Heat flooded her cheeks. Thank goodness the darkness covered her embarrassment. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have said that.”
A grin broke across his face. “Did you mean it, though?”
Nodding, she choked out a response. “Yes. But only if you want to.”
“Oh, I want to. I want to very much. But I shouldn’t.”
She lived her life to please her parents, abiding by their rules and expectations. But when it came to Drake Merrick, a part of her she didn’t know existed took control. “Do you suppose that two shouldn’ts cancel each other and make a should?”
Joy bubbled in her veins at the mirth dancing in his eyes.
“Why, Lady Honoria, I believe you’re flirting with me.”
She grinned at him. “Is it working?”
Rather than answer her with words, he lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers in the gentlest of kisses.
Her heart soared, her whole body coming to life?—
“My lady?”
A woman’s voice shook her from the memory, and she turned to find Susan studying her with concern. “I’ve been looking for you. I went to your room to dress you for supper, but?—”
Honoria rose from the bench, leaving the precious memory behind. “Is it time already? It’s so beautiful here, I’m afraid I became lost in thought.”
Susan tilted her head. “Are you certain you’re not unwell?”
Honoria nodded. As she walk toward the house, she peered up toward the windows.
And although there was no one there, she touched her fingertips to her lips, remembering that first tender kiss.
CHAPTER 5
Susan chattered excitedly as she put the finishing touches on Honoria’s elegant coiffure for the evening. “Not to tell tales out of school, my lady, but Watson said your mother is all aflutter with hopes for a match with the new duke.”
Oh, dear.Honoria braced herself for what, no doubt, would be a flurry of questions when her mother discovered Burwood had insisted Honoria sit by him at supper.
“Cecily, Lady Miranda’s maid, says he’s very handsome.” Susan sighed as she draped and fastened the string of seed pearls around Honoria’s neck.
Honoria laughed as she met Susan’s gaze in the mirror. “I suspect any duke who’s eligible appears handsome to most unmarried ladies.” She rose from the dressing table. “But, in this case, Cecily has the right of it.”
And he wasn’t the only handsome one. In fact, in Honoria’s opinion, Drake surpassed Burwood easily.
“Oh, my lady, your pink cheeks give you such a glow. You look so beautiful. His Grace won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
“Pish-tosh.” Honoria dismissed Susan’s compliment, but she had to admit her new gown was lovely. Delicate ecru lace trimmed the pale-blue satin, and the new style with a lower, more defined waistline showed off her figure to perfection.
However . . . she gazed down at her exposed bosom. “You don’t think this bodice is cut too low, do you?”
Susan grinned, her eyes bright with mischief. “I doubt the gentlemen will think so.”
Heat rushed to Honoria’s cheeks. “Susan!”
Her maid giggled and waltzed from the room moments before a knock sounded.
The door cracked open, and Miranda poked her head around it. “I saw your maid leave.” She slipped in and closed the door behind her. “Hopefully, this time neither Charlotte nor Anne will interrupt us. I still want to know what distressed you earlier. I don’t believe it was only exhaustion.”
