“I’m sorry. It was unforgivable of me.”
“It’s forgivable, but only barely,” she replied as he released her, needing to see her face, study her features, and get lost in the expressions of her eyes.
“I’ll take barely.” He grinned, lifting his hand to cup her chin. “I’ll take whatever I can get.”
His finger brushed against her lip and her eyes darkened, flicking down to his own. She swayed forward, her lips parting ever so slightly as she tipped her chin just a fraction.
Collin breathed in the sight of her, his body tightening, his heart pounding as everything around him faded, his entire soul focused on Elizabeth and how much he wanted to taste her lips. He leaned forward, angling his head slowly—
“Collin!” Joan’s voice jarred him as much as her hand on his shoulder did, pulling him from the spell Elizabeth had woven around them.
“Not here, not now, not her first kiss. For pity’ssake, you’re more romantic than that,” she chided him. “Besides, you haven’t said hello to me, and I’d like to think I matter just a little.” She cast him a wicked smile, as if proud of her timely interruption.
“Hello to you too, sister.” He sighed. “Wait.” He flicked his attention back to Elizabeth. “What do you mean, I haven’t kissed her yet… Just how much have you two been talking?”
“Far more than is good for either of us,” Rowles said as he came down the stairs, joining the party. “And I suggest leaving it at that.”
Collin studied his friend, then grinned. Shaking his hand, he released more of the stress of the past week. He was home, among his family. It was done.
And yet, it was also the beginning. A beautiful beginning full of hope.
“So, was I right?” He turned to Elizabeth. “I do love hearing I’m right. They may be the sweetest words in the world.”
“Those—those are the sweetest words?” Joan asked, huffing. “You’re decidedly unromantic, even worse than I expected.”
“You clearly set the bar too high,” he said to his sister, then returned his attention to Elizabeth. “I’m waiting.”
“Yes, we’re fast friends, just as you expected. But I don’t think that will operate in your favor,” she replied with a saucy tone.
“I’m right, and that’s truly what matters in thissituation. I knew I’d be on the losing end, so this is my consolation.”
“Because you’re so often wrong?” Elizabeth replied, grinning unrepentantly.
“Did I say that?” Collin asked, pulling her hand and tugging her close once more.
“No, but you implied it. Just as good as admitting it.”
“Not exactly,” he said, his attention captivated by the way her lips moved when she spoke.
“Dear Lord,” Joan interrupted. “Well, shall we at least move this tête-à-tête into the house? Or shall we have tea brought out here to your carriage, not that we’d all fit.”
“Someone has a sour disposition,” Collin teased playfully as his sister moved past him toward the stairs.
“No, you’re just being exceptionally dense,” she replied good-naturedly.
“Your words pain me!” Collin pretended that an arrow pieced his heart.
Beside him, Elizabeth pretended to pull it out. “Better now; you’ll live to fight another day.”
“Brilliant, I do love a good fight. It clearly entices me.” He offered his hand to her, giving her his most roguish grin.
Elizabeth blushed. “Well, I can’t exactly say anything in response since I’m the same way.”
“Ah, another point to agree on. I should make a list.”
“It may be a short list.”
“Regardless.” He shrugged, then sobered. “I’m so happy to be with you once more.”
