Kissing Cousins (28 page)

“
With my heartfelt approval!
”
she exclaimed, and kissed him on both cheeks, after which she turned as pink as a peony and emitted a girlish giggle.

Edward and Samantha went to the front door to see Darren and Miss Donaldson off. After they left, Samantha turned to Edward, suddenly shy.
“
Have you called for the carriage for our drive?
”
she asked.

“
In a moment. There
’
s something I want to say first.
”
He drew her into the saloon. Over his shoulder he said to Luten,
“
I am no longer
‘
at home,
’
Luten.
”
Then he closed the door.

Luten could not recall having seen that particular door closed since Lord Salty
’
s disappearance. Behind the closed door, Salverton led Samantha to one of a pair of sofas flanking the fireplace, but they didn
’
t sit down.

Samantha was overtaken by a fit of nerves.
“
I
’
m sorry, Edward,
”
she said.

Salverton blinked in astonishment. Was it to be a refusal?
“
I haven
’
t even asked you yet!
”
he exclaimed.

“
Oh! I meant about Darren, and Wanda, and everything. I know such goings-on are not what you are accustomed to, or approve of. I cannot imagine what Lady Louise thinks.
”

“
I cannot imagine caring what Lady Louise thinks.
”

“
Of course you care! You
’
re going to offer for her.
”
She gazed at Edward with bated breath, trying to read his mind.

“
I was going to offer for her
—
until you brought me to my senses.
”
He seized her two hands and squeezed them.

“
Oh, I am glad,
”
she said, and drew a deep breath.
“
I could not but feel she was the worst possible match for you
—
although she is very pretty,
”
she allowed.

“
Even in the comatose state I
’
ve lived in these past years, I still insisted on some modicum of beauty in my ladies. But let us not speak of Louise.
”

“
You wanted to ask me something ...
”
she said, peering up at him with a question and such hope and love beaming in her eyes that Salverton forgot the question and crushed her into his arms for a kiss that left them both breathless.

As his lips bruised hers, the question was asked and answered to their mutual satisfaction. Samantha
’
s head whirled with the unexpected passion and joy of that kiss. Edward loved her. He wanted to marry her, and if he hadn
’
t asked, she would have died. She had resisted even calling on him until necessity forced her into it, and now she would marry him and be with him forever.

After a long kiss she opened her eyes, and saw him studying her intently.
“
I never even imagined such a thing,
”
she sighed.

“
I thought you were coming to realize I cared for you.
”

“
I mean when I first came
—
or didn
’
t come, to see you.
”

Edward appeared to understand this disjointed speech.
“
Stiff-rumped,
”
he said.
“
I
’
ve changed.
”

“
I noticed,
”
she said with a trembling smile.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door.
“
I told him I wasn
’
t at home!
”
Edward scolded.

Luten
’
s apologetic voice came through the door.
“
I
’
m sorry to disturb you, your lordship, but it
’
s Lord Liverpool.
”

Samantha gasped in excitement.

After a brief pause, Edward said,
“
Never mind that. It
’
s only the prime minister,
”
and kissed his fianc
é
e again.

Copyright © 1995 by Joan Smith

Originally published by Fawcett Crest (ISBN 978-0449223819)

Electronically published in 2015 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part, by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any other means without permission of the publisher. For more information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94117-4228

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This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are  fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental.