“I will do you the honor,” she said, her voice wavering, “and I honestly hope I do not live to regret it.”
Like a punch to his gut, she had said it plainly. Matthew would make sure she didn’t regret accepting him. In that moment, he vowed silently to become the man Purity Diamond deserved.
At least he could already measure up in one way. Releasing her hand, he took her face between his palms and held it still, watching her eyes grow as big as saucers. She swallowed and parted her lips.
Matthew doubted she knew how tantalizing she appeared. Lowering his mouth to hers, he breathed in her rose scent as their lips touched. The familiar yet entirely extraordinary sensations sizzled through him.
Tilting his head, he slid his hands back into her silken hair and anchored her in place.
They should take their time. This was the first kiss of what he prayed was a short engagement, hopefully leading to a long and happy marriage. He intended to make it perfect.
After brushing the tip of his tongue along her bottom lip, he slid it slowly into her mouth. He didn’t explore or fence, merely stroking her tongue with his. Her hands found his shoulders, her fingers digging in. After sucking gently, he withdrew.
Leaning his forehead against hers, breathing hard, he heard her doing the same.
“Whenever we touch,” he confessed, “it is as if I am on fire within.”
Purity didn’t speak, merely nodding, which he took to mean she had a similar reaction. A long moment later, he sat back, releasing her and getting his ring, which had been his father’s, tangled in her hair.
What a buffoon!
“My apologies,” he said, freeing himself. “I’ve made a mess of your coiffure.”
“I’ll go upstairs and tidy myself after you leave.”
They continued to sit, staring at one another. Something was different. He frowned.
“Is aught the matter?” she asked.
“I just realized,” he confessed. “Again, you forgot to slap me.”
A small smile appeared on her lovely face. “I shall not slap you anymore now that we are engaged. Besides, I didn’t slap you at Syon House when Lord and Lady Varley discovered us.”
The mere mention of them soured his mood. While the twosome had aided him in his goal of securing her hand, he’d wanted to win Purity by himself, not have her forced to wed him while he was still trying to earn her admiration.
“You didn’t have a chance to slap me then, but I’m sure you would have.”
She nodded. “In all probability, when I regained my senses, yes, I would have.”
Her little quip infused him with jollity. He still thought they suited like a dog and a bone.
“I shall endeavor to make you as happy as you make me,” he vowed spontaneously.
When her smile grew, he felt elated. And her next words made him feel even better.
“I am responsible for my own happiness, my lord, as you are for yours. However, we can do our best to bring joy to each other’s lives and at the very least, not make one another miserable.”
“You are a wise young lady,” he said, “and that is not flattery.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “You should go now. We are unchaperoned, and even as an engaged couple, this is not allowed.”
Another proper rule he despised, for he would be happy to sit all day beside her. Instead, Matthew rose to his feet, took her hand, and kissed it.
“I am both honored and grateful you accepted my proposal. And now, I bid you good day, Lady Purity.” He hoped he’d been formal enough considering they had just been fused at the lips.
“I am grateful you proposed, my lord. Good day.”
Not the warmest of sentiments, he thought. He didn’t want her gratitude, but for today, he would accept it as better than nothing.
