Page 46 of Air Affair

“So, no.” Damnit.

“I’m sorry. My father’s a terrible snob about me. He’s not so bad in other areas of his life, but when it comes to family alliances…”

“If I had a daughter, I wouldn’t want her anywhere near a guy like me either.”

She wrapped her arm around him and traced his shoulder blade. “Why?”

“I know the risks pilots take, even outside the war with no one shooting at us. Airplanes aren’t safe, and I wouldn’t want my daughter heartbroken like those war widows at the party tonight.”

“Oh, Hank.” She kissed him sweetly. “Heartbreak seems like a small price to pay for the company of someone as brave and daring⁠—”

“And handsome.”

“And handsome,” she added with a smile, “as you.”

Did that mean she cared enough for her heart to be broken? Discomfort twisted in his belly.

“Rory.”

“Hmm?” Her eyes were drooping. He really should let her get some more sleep.

“Don’t fall for me. I don’t want to cause you pain.”

She propped up her chin on his chest so that she could look him in the eye. “Don’t tell me what to do, Hank Hawley. I take the risks I choose. It isn’t up to you.”

He stared. It was all he could do not to laugh. Good God, what a woman. “Does this mean you are falling for me?”

She settled her head back down on his chest, twining her arms and legs around him. “Presumptuous,” she said with a yawn. “Are you falling for me?”

“Yes,” he answered before he could stop himself. He clenched his jaw, wishing he could take it back. “But it doesn’t matter. There’s nothing I can do about it. You’re as unreachable as ever, princess.”

“Well, you can certainly reach me right now,” she said with a wicked grin, putting his hand on her breast.

“Don’t you need sleep?”

She shrugged. “I have my whole life to sleep. I only have…” She peered at the wind-up alarm clock beside the bed. “…three and a half more hours with you.”

He smiled. “How should we use our time?”

“I have some ideas.”

And she showed him.

17

Rory came into the breakfast room humming the tune from the foxtrot she’d shared with Hank. After a night like that, nothing could bring her down. She’d successfully removed all vestiges of last night’s activities and looked as fresh and innocent as a lily. And if she was a bit tired, it was only to be expected after such a long night with so much excitement.

“Good morning, Papa,” she said, avoiding looking at him.

“Good morning, Aurora. I thought the party was a great success.”

“It was simply smashing. I wish I could do it all over again tonight,” she said, sitting and pouring herself a cup of coffee. Thank God he had no idea just how delightful it was.

“Ah, for the energy and vigor of youth!” He gave his newspaper a shake. There was a tray of five different ones sitting beside his chair. August Belmont liked to start his day well informed.

“Says the man that joined the army at the age of sixty-four. Papa, you’re going to outlive us all.” She served herself a heaping plate of eggs, sausage, and toast.

James, the butler, came in and said, “Excuse me, sir, but there’s a Senator Windham here to see you. They say it’s urgent.”