Page 6 of A Storme's First Noelle

Did that make him sound like the world’s greatest nodcock?

When a smile curved her lips and pleasure sparkled in her eyes, it was as if the heavens had parted and shone down their light. “What exactly do you mean, Captain Marsden?”

“Just this, I suppose.” Daring much and hoping they were far enough away from the manor that no one would spy them from a window, Trey slipped his arm about her waist, drew her close, and then pressed his lips to hers in an experimental kiss. When she gasped in surprise, he pulled slightly back. “Should I beg your pardon?”

“I should say not,” she replied in a breathless sort of voice. When her gaze dropped to his mouth, desire shivered through his shaft. “In fact, if this is ushering in change, I want to experience it more fully.”

Dear God, this woman was a refreshing marvel. “Then I shouldn’t prove a disappointment.” Trey slid his hand to her nape and then dragged her against his body. He claimed her mouth a second time but used more finesse. As he moved over her lips, seeking, asking, introducing, telling her of his unspoken dreams, she slipped her hands up his chest to loop about his shoulders. He tensed, for his missing left arm might sully the moment, but when she merely set out to kiss him back and mimic what he did to her, he unaccountably lost a piece of his heart to her.

When he finally broke the kiss, he gaped at her as shock and wonder warred for dominance in his chest. She stared back with a bemused expression, her blue eyes darkened with the same sensations that were accosting him. It was silly, for hadn’t they only just met? One thing was certain. He wanted her for much more than a kiss on a country lane.

“That was… quite something, Miss Gedney.”

She laughed again, and the sound swept away any lingering worry. “I think after this you should call me Noelle.”

“Agreed.” He laughed as well. Immediately, he felt lighter somehow, more hopeful than he had in months. “Please refer to me as Trey.”

“I’d be delighted.” She touched her lips with the tips of her gloved fingers as a pretty pink blush stole across her cheeks. “I should return home.”

Tendrils of cold disappointment twisted through his gut. “Already?”

“I must.”

“Why?” If he wished to know more about her, he couldn’t do that with her running away.

The blush deepened. “If I don’t, I might do something truly scandalous with you, for you’re quite handsome and a marvelous kisser. I must think about those possibilities first.” Then, with a wave and a smile, she fled up the path that would eventually lead to a country lane where he presumed Evergreen House was located.

“Oh.” Trey frowned as he tried to digest her explanation. “Oh!” He couldn’t help a cheeky grin while he returned to the house. How encouraging, if quite unorthodox. Perhaps she’d been as affected by that kiss as he’d been.

I hope so.

Upon arriving at the manor, the urge to talk to his siblings about the advent of Noelle grew strong, but when he found them gathered in the drawing room with their spouses, there was a hint of excitement in air.

“You all have a look of mischief. What did I miss?” As he glanced about the company where his brother Royce was grinning like a fool with a hand on his wife Isobel’s shoulder—her belly heavily swollen with child—and his sister Jane was positively glowing, he landed his attention on her husband Finn, who beamed from his Bath chair. A svelte gray cat sat on its haunches near one of the wheels. “Out with it.”

“Oh, Trey, it’s wonderful.” Jane shot across the room and gave him a hug. Her eyes sparkled with unadulterated joy. “I’m increasing.”

“What?” The news was quite shocking indeed for his sister had been married for over a year. Because of Finn’s paralysis, becoming in that state had been nearly impossible. “Are you certain?”

“I am.” She tugged on his hand and brought him over to the others. Despite the onlookers, she settled herself on her husband’s lap. When his arms came around her and she dropped a kiss on his cheek, Trey’s chest tightened with envy. “I had a midwife confirm my suspicions before we came to Cambridgeshire. It certainly explains why I’ve been so ill.”

“That’s wonderful news.” He dropped his hand on Finn’s shoulder and pasted on what he hoped was a warm smile. “Congratulations to you both. When can we expect the new arrival?”

“Near the end of June, but that’s not all,” she said, with so much happiness reflected in her face Trey feared she might burst.

“That’s true,” Finn said with a nod and a faint flush creeping up his neck. “I was notified before we left London that my second book will be published in April. I suppose that means I’m definitely an author.”

“How wonderful.” And he truly meant it. “I’m quite happy for the both of you.” This time his smile wasn’t forced. “Father would have been pleased, I think.”

“He would.” Some of Jane’s gaiety faded and tears sprang to her eyes. “If the child is a boy, we’ve planned to name it after him.”

“It’s a good way to honor him.”

Royce frowned. “You have the look of a man confused, brother. What have we missed?”

Damn his brother for being so observant.

Jane sucked in a breath as she peered closer at him. “You’ve met someone.”

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