“How was it?” he asked.
She opened her eyes and stared up at him.
Unable to speak, she made a mewling sound somewhere between aneepand ameow. It was an appallingly kittenish sound that had him grinning in smug conquest.
“Ailis?”
She took a deep breath as he released her. “It was all right for a third kiss.”
He laughed. “Your blush gives you away. Admit it, number three was agreatkiss.”
She nodded. “All right, you insufferable man. Yes, it was sheer perfection. I had no idea kisses could involve tongues as well.”
An odd look came over him as he studied her.
“Is something wrong, Your Grace?”
“No, it’s just… Gad, Ailis. No, nothing’s wrong.”
She ought to have known he would never confide in her.
“But I think we are beyond the need for formality now. You may call me Jonas whenever we are in private.”
She inhaled lightly. “Jonas? Oh, no. I couldn’t.”
“Why not?” he asked, frowning.
“It is too familiar, isn’t it?”
He arched an eyebrow. “Andthatkiss was not?”
She blushed again, as she often did because he had a way of disconcerting her. “Well, yes. It was thoroughly shocking…and fun.”
He laughed.
“But our kisses are for charity. That’s all they are ever meant to be, is this not so?”
“I’ll write out that third bank note for you after breakfast.” He appeared suddenly tense and sounded brittle.
Was he possibly disappointed?
She sighed. “May I call you something less intimate than Jonas and not so formal as Your Grace? A suitable compromise?”
He let out a soft breath and his tension appeared to ease. “Ramsdale will do, I suppose. I truly hate being called that, however. Even my mother insists on calling me that.”
“Why does it displease you?”
“It signifies my title and has nothing to do with the man I am.”
“What about my calling you Langford? You were Lord Langford for most of your life. Did they call you that when you were in the army? Or were you Colonel Langford? Or Colonel Lord Langford?”
He rubbed a hand along the nape of his neck and stepped away from her. “Does it matter? I am not the same man who came out as went into the army. Ah, never mind. Just keep to Your Grace.”
Now she felt awful. “The name suits you.Jonas. It is strong and succinct, just like you. But it saddens me.”
“Saddens you?” The admission obviously confused him. “Why?”
“Because our friendship is momentary. A mere illusion. It will all come to an end once I have received my ten kisses. To be honest, your kisses are affecting me more than I ever expected.”
