Mrs. Curtis nodded her approval and marched out.
Ailis let out a breath. “That was close…but worth it. I enjoyed your kiss,” she admitted, always wanting to be honest with him.
Well, he knew she had liked it by the ardor of her response.
“I’ll bring you the bank draft when I see you next.”
Her heart sank. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
He gave her chin a tweak. “I know, Ailis. Forgive my stupid response.”
“There are only four kisses left to go.”
“And little time to fit them all in before Christmas Day. Must we rush?”
“No, I suppose not. Jonas…”
“Yes?”
She smiled. “Nothing. I just wanted to say your name aloud while no one but you was around to hear me.”
He laughed but did not comment.
However, he appeared pleased as he took gentle hold of her arm and tested her dexterity. But he was very careful not to hurt her, for he kept the movements to a minimum and was quite cautious while gliding his fingers along her shoulder and the length of her arm.
He stopped whenever her breath quickened.
“Right, that’s enough,” he said, tucking her arm back in the sling. “Let’s have our tea and then I must be off.”
“How is my shoulder progressing? Is it healing properly?”
“Yes, all is as it should be. The area is still swollen, but that is to be expected. Your recovery will take time, as I warned. I know you are impatient to get back to your normal routine, but it will be months yet before you can manage it.”
They did not say much between them after this. Ailis had loved kiss number six, just as she had loved all the ones that came before it. But she dared not mention their arrangement again.
The duke finished his tea and then rose. “I had better be off. I’ll try to come see you at least once more before your big day.”
He grabbed his cloak and strode out of the house without looking back at her.
She watched him mount Avalon and ride off.
Once he was out of sight, she put her fingers to her lips. She still felt the warmth of his mouth on hers. Her lips had not stopped tingling, nor had her body.
This was an awful situation.
She was falling more deeply in love with him with each kiss.
Was there any hope that he might be falling in love with her? Would he do anything about it if he did?
Chapter Fourteen
Ailis was goingabout her business on the morning of Christmas Eve and had just finished reviewing the church tithes and balancing the ledgers when Edward barged into her uncle’s office, where she had been working. “Miss Temple, you must come straight away!”
She leaped to her feet, her heart plunging into her toes upon her noting his expression. “What’s happened?”
“It’s my brother,” he said, appearing not merely worried but frantic.
Her head began to spin. “Is he hurt?” How could he be? Jonas appeared so strong, seemingly invincible.
