She felt a flood of uncontrollable joy.
“You shall spare no expense.But don’t you think we should seal the bargain with a kiss?”he asked with a whisper.
Imprisoned between the porch rail and Jonathan, she looked at him and grinned.As though his words had released her, she flung herself against him.He held her close with his good arm and lowered his head to hers.She wanted to yield to the burning sweetness.His warm lips pressed gently on her own, sending the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl.Passion rose in her like the hottest fire, clouding her brain.To save her soul, she couldn’t stop with a chaste kiss and pull away like a lady should.Instead, her arms slid up and around his neck as she pressed her body into his and savored the feel of his hard muscles against hers.Nothing mattered but the taste of him.The brandy he’d had earlier made his lips sweet and produced a delicious sensation.
Suddenly, he deepened the kiss and persuaded her to open her mouth.His tongue explored the recesses of her mouth, teaching her how exquisite a kiss could be.She kissed him with a hunger that matched his own.
However, a little sanity returned and she pulled back slightly.“W-we shouldn’t be doing this.”
“I know,” Jonathan agreed, his mouth grazing her earlobe.She quivered at the sweet tenderness of his kiss.The warm breath on her ear made her go limp.Jonathan had to tighten his grip to keep her from falling.
To hell with what is proper, Elizabeth thought.
She was so happy, she could burst.After all these years, she was finally getting married.And, best of all, to the man of her dreams.Perhaps it would be enough to wipe out all of the bad memories.She looked up at Jonathan and whispered, “Are you happy?”
“So much has happened in such a short time, I think I’m numb,” he answered slowly.Too slowly.
Elizabeth frowned.“That isn’t exactly the response I expected.”
“Of course I’m happy.”He gave her a smile that warmed her to her toes.“How could I not be?”
“I guess you’re going to make me ask this, too.”She frowned and drew in a deep breath.“Do you love me?”
Jonathan’s hand rested casually on Elizabeth’s shoulder for the longest time.The look in his blue eyes held a warmth that left her breathless.“I have known you since you were in pigtails and I wore knickers.Over the years, you grew up and attempted to follow Adam and me around.I admit back then, I thought you were a royal pain.Then the strangest thing happened.I started asking Adam where you were and what you had been doing.I had to know everything about you.
“Unfortunately, Adam got a wild idea and decided that both of you should go to America.I almost asked you then...”
She saw heart-rending tenderness in his gaze.“I remember the strange look in your eye that day,” Elizabeth exclaimed.“It was as if you wanted to say something to me.”
“I did,” he said, lifting his hand to her soft cheek.
“I wanted to ask you to stay with me, but I thought you were too young.You had yet to experience life, so I waited and hoped.”
She frowned in exasperation.“Until I was a ripe old age and no one wanted me.”
Jonathan chuckled and tapped her under the chin.“Remember, wine is not at its best until it is aged.”
Her brow rose a fraction, and she felt her cheek twitch.“Are you avoiding the question?”
“Only leading up to it.When I arrived at Four Oaks this last time and saw you, I knew then that I had loved you for a very long time.Perhaps, forever.”
She watched the play of emotions on his face and felt a few of her own.“So, why didn’t you tell me?”
‘‘Because I didn’t know how you felt.It had been such a long time.But do know, Elizabeth, that I love you as no other.”
Her heart melted at the words she’d longed to hear.She had loved only one man in her life, and he stood before her.
Her arms went around his neck at the same moment his lips found hers.The kiss was so tender and poignant that she never wanted this moment to end.Suddenly, everything was so right in her life.
Before she knew what was happening, she was parting her lips to let Jonathan deepen his kiss, and she felt his automatic response.She began to tremble.Her conscience again reminded her that it was very unacceptable behavior to be out on the terrace unchaperoned, much less having her body pressed against a man and her arms wrapped around his neck.If any of the society matrons were to walk through the door and discover them, they would swoon immediately.
However, it wasn’t a mother who came through the French doors.
“Unhand my sister, Jonathan Hird,” Adam’s deep voice growled behind them.
“Mon Dieu, I shall run him through with my sword for taking such liberties with your sister,” Jean shouted.
Adam’s head snapped around to look at Jean.“Haven’t you learned that I can fight my own battles?”
