Page 24 of A Countess Never Tells

She had done this to him? The idea of having such power over a man was intoxicating. Lightly, she stroked his length, and Ash shuddered and stepped away from her.

“You will make me spill myself, and that will be even harder to explain to a houseful of guests.” He drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I could wish for a cooler evening about now.”

The fires surging through Kitty had subsided now that she wasn’t touching Ash, but she longed to renew them. Having had this small taste of intimacy with him, how could she help but want more? “I know I’m supposed to be unaware of such things as you have shown me, Ash. But having done so, I cannot help but wish to know more…with you.”

His smile grew. “I will be more than happy to introduce you to all the ways of love, Kitty.” He stepped toward her and dropped a gentle kiss on her brow. “But there is something I must ask you first.”

“What is it?” If she was willing for him to show her “all the ways of love,” what else did he need to know?”

To Kitty’s complete astonishment, Ash dropped to the ground, took her hand, and said, “Kitty, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. Indeed, language abandoned her, and she stood with her mouth gaping like the carp her father used to fish in the lakes at home. Of all the things Ash might have asked her, this was the last thing she’d expected.

He waited in the faint moonlight, rubbing her knuckles, gazing at her until she had to gasp in a breath.

Still, she couldn’t think what to say.

“You will need to make an answer, Kitty, else I shall have to remain here until the sun strikes us, or your brother finds us and strikes me.”

His quip about her brother did the trick. She snatched her hand out of his, grasped his shoulder, and urged him to rise. “Get up before he comes out here and tosses you into the fountain.”

Ash rose, looking wary. “If you will give me an answer, Kitty, we can go back inside and I will make a bona fide offer for you to your brother.”

Cheeks pink, Kitty clasped her hands before her, glancing left and right, wishing with all her might for an interruption. But that wish, it seemed, would not come true as the night continued silent. “I am honored, Ash, that you would consider me the woman you would make your wife and countess. And though I find you extremely charming and engaging, I…” She paused and swallowed hard. This wasn’t anything she’d ever prepared herself to answer from him. On one hand, she did like Ash quite a lot, but…marry a rake? She couldn’t agree to that. How could she ever trust him? Look at how Judith’s first husband had betrayed her.

Sadly, she looked Ash in the face. “I’m so very sorry, but I fear, should I accept your proposal, your reputation as a rake would always be foremost in my mind and make me doubt you our whole married life. You have too much skill as a deceiver for me to believe you would give that life up willy-nilly just for me.”

“But, Kitty, you must let me explain…” He stood before her, brows furrowed in a deep V, shaking his head as though he absolutely refused to accept her refusal. “You must give me a chance to tell you how I think the marriage bond should be between two people.”

“If you have broken it so many times, Ash, I believe I do know what you think of the marriage bond.” It was touching to see how distraught he seemed. As though he actually cared if her answer was no.

“No, Kitty, you do not know how I feel about marriage.” The frustration in his voice was almost palpable.

“Well, we simply cannot discuss it here and now, Ash.” They had stayed out in the garden much too long. John would begin beating the bushes for them any minute.

“Tomorrow then.” He grasped her hands again, and she wasn’t sorry. His hands were warm and somehow comforting, although he seemed more in need of comfort than she.

“I shall call for you tomorrow afternoon to go riding in the park.” Ash ran his hands down her arms, making her shiver. “Hopefully, you’ll be allowed to go out with me, if the carriage is open. We will take a turn around the park, then we will find a secluded spot, I will tell you my plan for our marriage, and you will give me an answer.”

She gazed up into his face, almost swayed by the deep yearning she found there. “Very well. We will go to the park and see what we will see.”

Ash lowered his head and touched his lips to hers, a sweet kiss filled with the promise of so much more to come. She leaned toward him, as though her body wanted to make good on that promise now.

Oh, but they could not. She had to be strong if she wished everything to turn out according to her plan. She pulled away from him. “Let us return to the house. Hopefully, we have not been missed.”

He nodded, reluctant as she. “Then I can ask permission to take you for a drive tomorrow, and all will be well.” Brushing his lips over hers once more, he then wrapped her arm around his. “Of this, I can assure you with confidence.”

They walked slowly back to the verandah, passing several couples who were otherwise occupied and marked them not at all.

Slipping back into the ballroom, Kitty squinted at the sudden brightness. Automatically, she checked her gown to make sure she didn’t look overly mussed. That settled, her attention next was on her brother. Where was John? He’d been gone when they left. If she was lucky, he wouldn’t have returned.

“Do you see your chaperones?” Ash murmured.

“Not yet. Let us head for the entrance to the ballroom. Perhaps they are— Oh, drat.” Kitty smiled as her gaze landed on John and Judith on the far side of the dance floor, obviously scanning the room for her. “There they are.”

“Then let us go to them cheerfully. We’ve been conversing with acquaintances in the corner over there.” Ash didn’t break his stride as he steered them toward her family members. He smiled and laughed gaily as though they hadn’t a care in the world. She had to say, Lord Ashwood was very skilled in the art of deception. Which counted in his favor now, but not in every situation.

“Good evening, Lord Haxby, Lady Haxby.” Ash bowed as soon as they came close enough to John and Judith. “I hope you are both well this evening?”