Katherine’s heart creaked open like a door on rusty hinges, forcing aside the locks she’d placed there to protect it. There was no point in hiding now. No point in avoiding the possible pain. Despite all the effort she’d placed into fortifying it, David swept in, erasing all her protections and slipping past her security.
Not that she wished to stop him. This was her David. Her friend and confidant. Her support and protector. Pouring her heart into her kiss, Katherine embraced the moment, and she was swept back into that beautiful memory in Rosanna’s courtyard when the fantasy had finally come alive for her and David.
When they parted, his arms were tight at her waist, and her own rested around his neck, their bodies crushed together as they breathed deeply. Katherine forced herself to look him in the eyes, and David stared back at her, his eyes glazed over as though his wits were well and truly addled. The corners of his lips were tipped upward, and his hands massaged her back.
But still, no recognition. If he realized she was his Mystery Lady, there was no sign of it.
Before she could say a word, David closed the distance again, kissing her as though he were a dying man in a desert and she was his oasis. Smiling to herself, Katherine shoved away thoughts of masquerades and dimwitted beaus and reveled in the moment. Their moment.
It was several long moments before they slowed again, and though she wanted to groan at the interruption, the sound of footsteps drew her back to reality—though David refused to relinquish her lips.
Katherine had never giggled before, but she felt distinctly like doing so at that moment when they pulled back and she whispered, “People are coming.”
Shrugging, he seized her in another embrace, stealing away her good sense as she ignored all else and nearly giggled once more when his hands rose to brush the nape of her neck.
Definitely footsteps.
She forced her thoughts to clear and pushed David back, though he refused to let go of her.
“People are coming,” she repeated with a narrowed look. “Do you wish to get caught?”
“I have watched you run away from me twice, and I refuse to let it happen a third time,” he murmured, his thumbs drawing forth a shiver from her as he caressed her neck. “I do not care if the Archbishop of Canterbury strolls in, I am not releasing you.”
Katherine sighed at his unrepentant grin. “But I do not want anyone to force your hand—”
“Then you would be mine and unable to run away anymore,” he said with a waggle of his brows.
Her hands slid to his chest, and she stared at him. “Does being a beau mean you’ve suddenly become a scoundrel, wishing to compromise poor, unsuspecting ladies at parties?”
“Not any lady. Just you.” He leaned closer, his lips brushing hers as he whispered, “Of course, you could simply agree to marry me, and we wouldn’t need to worry about compromising.”
Katherine jerked back, but David’s arms remained fixed around her.
“Marry?”
With a halting chuckle, he stared at her. “I have declared my love in no uncertain terms. Did you not think I would want to marry the woman I love?”
“We haven’t even courted—”
But David gave her a quick buss on the lips. “We’ve known each other for far longer than many newly married couples and count each other as our closest friend. To say nothing of the fact that you’ve compromised me twice now—”
Katherine gaped at that, though as much as she wanted to give him a tart reply, she couldn’t entirely disagree, as she had been the instigator twice. Even if he’d been a willing partner in that compromising.
David’s hand drifted from the back of her neck to brush his thumb across her cheek, and Katherine couldn’t help but close her eyes at the feel of it. Turning her head, she pressed a kiss to his palm and watched as his gaze filled with all the tenderness she’d so longed to see.
“All jesting aside, Katherine, my mind is made up on the matter, but I am willing to wait as long as you need. Whether it’s in Greater Edgerton, Thorngate, or on the other side of the world, I will not give up as long as there is a chance for us.”
Lifting her arms once more to circle his neck, Katherine pulled him close and pressed her lips to his. Oh, yes, there was more than merely a chance for them.
Chapter 43
As much as her good sense prodded her, Katherine lost herself in David’s embrace once more. Never in her grandest imaginings could she have pictured such a sensation. For too much of her life, she’d been separate from others in every way, and now, her senses swam with sensations.
It was more than the feel of arms, hands, and lips—though the thrill of those touches quickened her pulse, leaving her nearly dizzy from the pace. It was the man himself. Her dear David. It was that heart and soul she loved so dearly that poured from him through each caress.
And then he was pulling back, his lips twisting in a chagrined smile.
“As much as I hate releasing you now, I fear it is for the best. Despite my jest about not allowing you to escape again, I would hate myself if your hand was to be forced, and I’ve had too many reasons to hate myself of late,” he whispered, placing a little space between them. “We ought to return to the party, my love.”
