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“Didn’t you just tell Mrs. Longsdon it would be a good idea for me to find a different place to lodge?”
Aston’s brow crinkled in befuddlement before comprehension dawned. He grinned. “I didn’t know she was talking about you, else I never would have made such a preposterous suggestion.”
“But I thought you were going to Italy.” Chasity couldn’t let herself trust in her heart of hearts what she desperately wanted to believe Aston was saying.
That he wanted to be with her. That he wanted to marry her.
Aston’s smoldering gaze caught hers and held it captive. Slowly, he raised her hand to his mouth and placed a kiss on the back of it. Then he pressed his mouth to her palm and finally brushed his lips across the inside of her wrist.
“Only if you go with me,” he said before his mouth enveloped hers.
Miss Noble, I fear we have done you a grave disservice, and I must apologize. Once the magistrate arrived and explained that Mrs. Crenshaw could expect a more lenient sentence if she cooperated, she confessed all. I speak on behalf of the other benefactors and the board when I say we welcome you back to Balderbrook’s Institution for Genteel Ladies. We would be honored to have someone with your integrity and loyalty as the new headmistress.
~ Lady Jane Balderbrook in a letter to Miss Chasity Noble
Entrusted to the care of Aston Terramier for delivery
Still in Mrs. Longsdon’s guest salon
Several delicious minutes later
Aston nibbled Chasity’s earlobe, delighting in the way she sighed and arched her neck to give him greater access to the delicate ivory flesh. As always, she smelled of lemons and flowers. Perhaps peonies or jasmine. No connoisseur of women’s scents, he couldn’t identify the specific blossoms. Nonetheless, the combination was wholly intoxicating.
Kissing her, even with the door closed wasn’t wise. Mrs. Longsdon or one of the boarders could intrude at any moment. Though Aston intended to make Chasity his wife, if she would have him, he wouldn’t have her reputation sullied.
With a regretful half growl, half sigh, he angled away from her.
“Minx. I cannot resist you.”
Her lashes half-moons upon her gentle sloping cheekbones, and her lips red from his kisses, she was a temptress. His temptress. Or so he prayed.
Aston ran his knuckle down Chasity’s smooth cheek. “As much as I’d like to continue kissing you, sweetheart, we risk interruption.”
Her eyelashes slowly fluttered open, and her mouth swept upward into a radiant smile that lit the entire room. Such adoration shone in her eyes that it humbled Aston. Made him want to take her in his arms and swing her around and around while shouting to the world that he loved her.
“And our breakfast has grown cold,” she said impishly, pointing her gaze to the two plates of barely touched food.
Affecting affront, he pressed an arm across his chest. “Do my kisses mean so little that the promise of food erases them from my darling’s memory?”
“Of course not, you simpleton.” Giggling, Chasity shook her head. “But a lady hardly discusses such matters.”
Aston swooped in for one last lingering kiss, then moved to the armchair once more. Best to remove himself from such a temptation.
Sprout, the calico, raised her head and gave him a sleepy stare before snuggling with her brother and falling back to sleep. When was the last time either of those lazy cats had caught anything other than a tasty morsal deliberately dropped beneath the table by one of the Smithersfort sisters?
“We’d best remedy that, or we’ll be in the suds with our landlady,” he said, popping a bite of sausage into his mouth. “And tomorrow is cinnamon bun day. I’d hate to be in her bad graces and be denied several of the scrumptious rolls.”
With a happy nod and a grin, Chasity took up her plate.
Rather than follow suit, Aston leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees while cupping his chin with is hands. He could watch this remarkable woman all day and never grow bored.
He wanted to marry her, but there were a few details he needed to sort out before he formally proposed. For instance, informing his meddlesome grandfather that there would be no match between Aston and Saphira Finch-Hatten.
God only knew how far that rumor had spread already. He wouldn’t put it past the viscount to post the betrothal in the news sheets without consulting Aston. Though he supposed Werner’s upcoming nuptials were sufficient to temporarily placate Grandfather’s ambitions for an heir.
“I shall be away for most of the day, Chasity. I have a few urgent errands to run, and I must also help with my uncle’s funeral arrangements.” Now that he’d found Chasity, he could honor his uncle’s request. “I can look in at Balderbrook’s Institution for you if you wish.”
A forkful of ham raised halfway to her mouth, she paused. “Yes, please. I left so abruptly. I would appreciate it if you would give them my forwarding address.”
