Page 62 of A Slight Problem with the Wedding
She loved him.
Him.
He was about to say something when he heard a flurry of activity in the downstairs hallway.
Blast.
Had Ambrose and Adela returned?
“Gory, there is something you need to know.”
She sighed. “Yes, Julius. You want me to stop being difficult and recuperate. I suppose it is also easier for Mr. Barrow’s runners to guard me if I am not waltzing around town.”
“Right, but that isn’t my point. I…oh, hell…”
“What, Julius? Please, I do not require more lectures from you.”
“I do not lecture you.”
“Well, you are highly opinionated.”
“And you are not?” he grumbled. “No, forget I said that. You have every right to express an opinion. In truth, you are often very clever and I value everything you have to say.”
“But?”
“But nothing.” He leaned in closer, so that their lips were mere inches from each other and their breaths mingled. “This is what I am trying to tell you…and hopefully you will remember this time.”
“Remember what?”
“This.” He crushed his lips to hers, kissing her with scorching abandon and all the love in his heart, for there was no time to properly explain his feelings for her any other way.
Her lips were plump and sweet, and he wished to savor them endlessly. But he heard footsteps on the stairs and knew the door would burst open at any moment.
He tore his mouth off hers. “This, Gory. Can you find it in your heart to wish for me? To want me. To love me.”
Adela rushed in before she could respond.
“I cannot believe you were almost killed!” she cried, and raced to Gory’s bedside. “Greeves just told us what happened to you.”
Ambrose hurried in just after her and tossed Julius a questioning look. “Is it true?”
“Yes.” He glanced at Gory who was staring back at him with her eyes wide and mouth slightly parted while she ran her fingers lightly across her lips.
Lord, he was going to nibble that deliciously fleshy bottom lip the next chance he got.
He raked a hand through his hair and cast her a tender smile, one he hoped conveyed how deeply he cared for her.
She responded with a look of utter confusion.
What had he expected when kissing a girl who believed it was impossible for anyone to love her?
“Gory, you and I will talk later. All right?”
She nodded numbly.
“Good.” He decided to leave the ladies to catch up, but motioned for Ambrose to follow him out. “Let’s talk in your study.”
An icy draft blew into the house as they marched downstairs because the front door was wide open while the footmen unloaded the bags and supplies his brother and Adela had brought home with them.
