He was about to draw her onto his lap when a knock on the door brought Edward. The footman put down the tray and left. It would be a shame to waste the coffee, and he’d enjoy her uninhibited enjoyment of it.
He poured for them both and then toasted Kitty withhis cup. “To our completed investigation. You were the one who first raised the possibility of it being a sham.”
“But with no notion of who and why.” She sipped and smiled, lids lowering slightly with sensuous pleasure.
His heart thumped, but he thought he managed to speak normally. “That’s often the way. We gather bits and pieces with little idea of how they matter, and then one day they come together, especially with a meeting of minds.”
“And with someone remembering all the bits. You did this sort of work in the army, didn’t you?”
He realized he hadn’t drunk any of the coffee and took a sip. It was delicious as always, but seemed bland compared to the woman looking at him with warm interest in her eyes. Only interest? Was there anything more on her side?
“At times,” he said. “It sometimes helps that I retain details that seem unimportant at the time, though that’s played no particular part here.” He picked up a plate of small cakes and offered it. “Try one.”
“What are they this time?”
“Revani. Honey and almonds.”
She chose a piece. “Sticky again.” Her smile invited licking and more, but, oddly, his new awareness made the merely physical irrelevant at the moment. Love, he realized, was so much more.
“Delicious,” she said, and the way she licked her fingers could change his mind.
He realized she was beautiful. Unconventionally so, but with noble features and a glorious vitality. If only fashion allowed for her to walk the world with her hair down and in vividly colored gowns that hugged all her curves. Men would tremble and fall to their knees.
Men already tumble into love with her....
“What are you thinking?” she asked, head cocked. “You see difficulties after all?”
“About the princes? No.”
“Then is there any reason you can’t return to the Abbey with me?”
The reminder of reality was like a shower of icy water. “Damn the Abbey. Stay here.”
No wonder she frowned. “It can’t be abandoned, by me or you.”
“In a just world, a man would be allowed to refuse a title. It’s enslavement.” She chuckled, but he said, “I’m serious. In what other respect does an Englishman have no choice about his destiny?”
“Most would welcome the burden. You, sir, are too fortunate for your own good.”
“True. I have you.”
Her sudden blush entranced him, as did the way she looked down, perhaps bashfully.Kit Kat, all aflutter?She looked up again, as serious as he’d ever seen her. “And I have you. But are you saying you love me?”
“Yes, I love you!” He stood and pulled her into his arms, regardless of her piece of cake, which went flying. “I love you. I love you. I think I have for days, but I didn’t recognize it.” He kissed her, and it was perfection, making it hard to end. “You’ve shaken my world, Kitty, but I assume it will steady in time.”
The light in her eyes turned wicked. “Are you sure?”
“No, damn you. And I thank God for it. I’ll spend all possible time at the Abbey only because you’ll be there. That need was a symptom I recognized.”
She laughed against his shoulder. “A disease, am I?”
“I’m feverish, but I want no cure.”
“Nor I.” She looked up, still aglow with laughter. “What does the Abbey matter when we have this? The dowager will be conquered, the place will be made warm, and the servants will share our joy.”
“Optimist.”
Her dog sneezed.
