“You most certainly did not. ”
“I thought it might serve the plan,” he said. “A thoroughly rakish display… shocking proximity, disgraceful intimacy, ruinous affection. All highly effective, I imagine. Thetondoes adore a well-executed scandal.”
“I do not know how I have endured you all these years. You are, without a doubt, the most aggravating man alive.”
“Unquestionably,” he said without hesitation. “And yet, I find myself rather inclined to act upon the impulse regardless.”
“The impulse – ?”
“To kiss you.”
The two sat suddenly much closer than either had perhaps realised until that very moment.
“To kiss me?” Hetty breathed. “And why, pray, would you wish to do such a thing?”
“I confess I’m not altogether certain.”
In truth, it was a thoroughly unreasonable impulse that had possessed him; a reckless fancy, indeed, but one that defied all attempts at restraint. Reason fled before the prospect of pressing his lips to hers. Their eyes locked, and before either could fully think better of it, Theo’s hand crept up, boldly tilting her chin towards him. Hetty’s lashes fluttered closed, lips parting in invitation or mischief, though which one he dared not guess. It was sheer madness, and yet he found himself utterly and deliciously undone.
He leant in, drawn by the intoxicating nearness and the warmth of her breath against his lips, until the moment teetered on the very precipice of ruin… when, naturally, the door burst open with the subtlety of a cannon shot, sending both of them scrambling back to proper distance.
“Oh, Hetty, I found the sample silks and Mama said – ” came Nell’s chipper voice, before she halted mid-stride, clutching a bundle of gaudy fabric and blinking owlishly at the tableau before her.
Hot on her heels came Lady Tolliver herself. “What on earth is going on in here? Eleanor, I told you to – ”
She, too, froze. Her eyed widened to tea-saucer proportions.
Georgie stumbled in behind them, nearly dropping the bolt of fabric in her arms. “Is Lord Langley kissing her?!”
Theo rose and stepped away from the chaise at once, adjusting his coat with the air of a gentleman who had been inspecting the upholstery and nothing more, which of course made matters infinitely worse.
Hetty sat very still as colour began flooding her cheeks. “We were not kissing. We were engaged in conversation.”
“In that position?” said Georgie, grinning from ear to ear. “My dear Hetty, if this is your idea of strategic discussion, it is no wonder you are so well favoured in drawing rooms. Parliament could take notes.”
Hetty levelled a murderous glare upon her sister.
“There wasnearlya kiss,” Nell volunteered, entirely unhelpfully. “I saw it with my own eyes. Their lips were very near indeed.”
“Only a little near,” Theo said mildly.
“Well,” said Lady Tolliver, who had taken to patting down her skirts and smiling vaguely at the wallpaper, “if there was not a proposal of marriage before, there most certainly is now.”
Hetty sprang to her feet. “Mama!”
“I shall have the banns read by Thursday,” Lady Tolliver declared. “Oh, how dare you do this to me in the middle of silk samples!”
“There will be no banns,” said Hetty. “There will be no wedding.”
“There will be if I must drag you to the altar myself,” Lady Tolliver replied, already glancing around the room as though considering whether the curtain ties might suffice for binding. “I shall send word to Cook for something celebratory. The good biscuits. And I believe there remains a bottle of champagne from your uncle’s wedding. This most certainly warrants a toast.”
Theo cleared his throat. “Lady Tolliver, I assure you – ”
“Oh, do not be absurd, my lord,” Lady Tolliver interrupted, patting his arm affectionately. “The most difficult part is done. All that remains is ordering the flowers and selecting a hymn.”
Hetty made a strangled noise and buried her face in her hands.
Georgie collapsed onto a chaise, laughing outright. “Oh, do let’s embroider this moment on a sampler. ‘We were not kissing; we were merely standing very closely and breathing each other’s air in a most conversational fashion.”
