Minx

These clandestine meetings always seemed to begin with a passionate kiss, although Dunford insisted that was never his intention. "I see you and get carried away," he would say, always with an unrepentant shrug.

Henry tried to scold him, but her heart clearly wasn't in it.

All too soon, however, she found herself back in London, deluged by curious callers who insisted they just wanted to offer their congratulations on her upcoming marriage. Henry was a bit bewildered by all the attention as she hadn't even met the majority of the well-wishers.

The Earl of Billington stopped by, good-naturedly complaining that he hadn't even been given a chance to court her. "Dunford stole quite a march on us all," he said with a lazy smile.

Henry smiled and shrugged humbly, not at all certain how to respond.

"I suppose I shall have to nurse my broken heart tonight and brave another ball."

"Oh, please," she scoffed. "Your heart isn't the least bit broken."

He grinned, delighted with her forthrightness. "It would have been, had I been given the chance to get to know you better."

"How lucky for me you weren't," drawled a deep voice.

Henry turned to see Dunford filling up the doorway to Caroline's favorite salon. He looked big and tall and so very masculine in his blue coat and tan breeches. He gazed at her and quirked a very small, one-sided smile that was meant for her alone. Her eyes immediately turned to dreamy pools of silvery satin, and she let out a tiny sigh.

"I can see I didn't have a prayer," Billington murmured.

"Not a one," Dunford said affably, crossing the room and sitting down next to Henry. Now that she was safely engaged to him, he finally remembered that he had always rather liked Billington.

"What brings you by?" Henry asked him.

"Just wanted to see you. Has your day been pleasant thus far?"

"Too many callers, I'm afraid." Henry suddenly realized her tremendous faux pas and turned to Billington, stammering, "Present company excluded, of course."

"Of course."

"Oh, please do not think me boorish, my lord. It's just that nearly a hundred people I do not know have come to see me today. I was really quite relieved when you came to call. I actually know you, and more importantly, I rather like you."

"A lovely apology, my dear." Dunford patted her hand as if to say that she needn't go on any further. At the rate she was going, she'd be professing her love for the earl any minute.

Billington caught Dunford's vaguely irritated expression and stood, a knowing smile on his face. "I have always prided myself on recognizing when I am de trop."

Dunford stood as well and escorted Billington to the door, where he gave the man a hearty slap on the back. "I have always admired that quality in you myself, Billington."

Billington's lips twitched, and he executed a smart bow in Henry's direction. "Miss Barrett."

A few seconds later she and Dunford were alone.

"I thought he would never leave," he said with a dramatic sigh, shutting the door behind him.

"You fiend. You all but chased him out. And don't think the door is going to remain closed for more than two minutes before Lady Worth gets wind of it and sends over a fleet of servants to chaperone us."

He sighed again. "A man can hope."

Henry's lips curved into a feminine smile. "So can a woman."

"Really?" He leaned toward her until she could feel his breath on her skin. "What were you hoping for?"

"Oh, this and that," she said breathily.

"This?" He kissed one corner of her mouth. "Or that?" He kissed the other.

"I-I believe I said this and that."

"So you did." He repeated both kisses. Henry sighed with contentment and allowed herself to sink into his side. His arms stole around her in a platonic embrace, and he nuzzled the back of her neck with his face. He allowed himself this pleasure for a few moments and then lifted his face to ask, "How much longer do you think we have before Caroline releases the hounds?"

"About thirty seconds, I should think."

He reluctantly loosened his hold, moved to the chair opposite her, and pulled out his pocket watch.

"What are you doing?" Henry asked, shaking with silent laughter.

"Testing you, my dear." There was silence for about twenty seconds, then he clucked and shook his head. "You're off, minx. It appears I could have had a few more seconds of holding you."

Henry rolled her eyes and shook her head. The man was incorrigible. Then the door was abruptly opened. Neither of them could see who had done it. A liveried arm merely pushed it open, then disappeared. Both of them burst out laughing. "I have been vindicated!" Henry exclaimed triumphantly. "Tell me, how close was I?"

He nodded in reluctant admiration. "You were off by only six seconds, minx."

She gave him a self-satisfied smile and sat back.

He stood. "It appears our time alone has come to an end. What do we have now—just two more weeks?"

She nodded. "Aren't you glad I talked you into a four-week engagement instead of five?"

"Beyond words, my love." He leaned down and kissed her hand. "I trust I shall see you this evening at Lady Hampton's ball."

"If you are there, then so shall I be."

"I wish you were always this biddable."

"I can be quite biddable when it suits my purposes."

"Ah, yes. Then I suppose I shall have to ask you to contrive to find purposes that match my own."

"I believe we are in agreement just now, my lord."