George staggered back, righted himself, then stared at her with clear disbelief as he fished a handkerchief out of his pocket and began pressing it against a nose that was now bleeding somewhat profusely.
“I believe this is where I take Lord Shrewsbury off to have another little chat with him,” Gideon, who’d just walked into the room, said, moving to take George’s arm and then promptly pulling him across the room.
As they disappeared through the door, Camilla heard Gideon tell George that Eleanor had been sprung from the asylum and that Mr. Deerhurst was wanting to have a word with his ex-son-in-law, as well, something that was going to revolve around hallucinogenic mushrooms.
“What was all that about?” Camilla asked.
“We’ll tell you later,” Elma said, nodding to Owen. “For now, I think there’s something of greater importance you need to get down to.”
“I am not kissing Camilla in a room filled with people,” Owen argued.
Beulah sent him a wink. “Then I suggest you and Camilla find yourself a more private spot before Elma decides to turn her rifle on you.”
“That would be a memorable way for Owen and Camilla to remember this special day,” Luella said cheerfully.
Owen leaned closer to Camilla. “Perhaps we should repair to the hallway to continue our discussion before Aunt Elma reallydoesthreaten us with her rifle if I don’t get down to, ah, kissing you soon.”
A sense of anticipation began thrumming through her. “Perhaps we should at that.”
“But don’t be doin’ no proposin’ until you find out about the kissin’,” Elma warned, wagging a finger their way as Owen took hold of Camilla’s hand and headed for the door, increasing their pace when Elma muttered something about hoping Owen was at least somewhat proficient in the kissing department.
Before Camilla knew it, she was all but barreling down the hall, Owen not stopping until they reached the very end of it. He turned and sent her a bit of a wince.
“I’m really sorry about all this,” he began. “My family can be—”
“Adorable,” Camilla finished for him.
“That’s not the word I was going to use.”
“Charming?”
“That’s not it either.”
She tilted her head. “What about loving?”
“I suppose that suits,” Owen admitted with a smile before he blew out a breath. “And now, here we are, alone at last, although I have to admit that I could use some professional suggestions from a successful matchmaker who has probably coached gentlemen through these types of situations because I readily admit I have no idea how to proceed from here.”
She smiled. “As a professional matchmaker, I would simply suggest you say whatever is on your mind.”
“I know how to kiss.”
“Not what I was expecting, but good to know.”
He blew out another breath. “I wasn’t saying that to, ah, brag, but I’ve never been pressured to kiss anyone before, and I definitely have never had a crowd of people expecting to learn the results of a kiss.”
“What kind of results?” she asked.
“Well, the only one that probably matters is whether or not you enjoy my kisses, but I’m just going to admit that I’m thinking this isn’t the most ideal moment to try out kissing in general since it seems like there’s a lot of pressure for us to instantly decide if we’re compatible in the kissing department or not.” He ran his hand through his hair. “I mean, it’s not really fair to you, is it? What if you don’t like my kiss, but then don’t want to hurt my feelings by telling me that, or if you tell everyone waiting for us that you found my kissing less than exhilarating?”
Clearly, it was time for the professional matchmaker to step in since Owen definitely seemed to be getting himself all worked up, and for no good reason, since she found simply being near him exhilarating.
She stepped closer, earning a slight widening of his eyes, his eyes widening even more when she wrapped her arms around his neck. She then pulled his head toward her and smiled. “I’m sure you’re a more-than-exceptional kisser.”
“Now you’re just trying to make me feel better,” he said as his gaze settled on her lips.
“I would hope that in a second, perhaps two, we’re both going to be feeling something far more than ... better.”
Owen’s lips began to curve right before he leaned closer, then settled his lips against hers.
