Page 104 of A Dangerous Engagement

“Do you remember when you said you were sad because you would never kiss ...”

Your wonderful lips.

“My lips?”

She swallowed past the dryness in her throat. “Yes.”

He pressed his cheek to her temple. She felt his warm breath against her ear.

“Will you let me kiss you now?” His head moved, ever so slightly, his chin brushing her cheek. “Will you let me call you Felicity? And will you call me Philip? From now until forever? Will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

He didn’t move.

“I will.”

He turned his head and kissed her cheek, kissing his way down until his mouth slanted over hers.

Sweet heavens.His kiss turned her inside out and filled her with a strange feeling of ...Thank you, God, for this man’s kisses.

Her hands were around his neck as he ended the kiss and held her tight.

When he finally leaned back to look into her eyes, she very gently brushed her fingertip over his bruised cheekbone, barely touching the skin. “I could hardly bear to see them hurt you.” Then she rose onto her toes and brushed her lips over the same spot. “I’ve been wanting to do that.”

He kissed her forehead, then touched his thumb to the corner of her mouth. “Not as long as I’ve been wanting to kiss you.”

He kissed her lips again, stealing her breath and sending her heartbeat into a rapid tempo. Mr.Ratley had never kissed her like that. It was not the same at all.

She wished she could kiss Philip again and again, but her mother or one of her brothers might come along and open the door. “Do you think my mother will be alarmed to see us like this?”

“I imagine she knows my intentions, why I’m here.”

“My father said something to that effect last night.”

“I shall go to him now, if you wish.”

“Can you stay a little while longer?”

“As long as you wish ... anything you wish.” He kissed her cheek, then her lips.

Her heart seemed to float and take her with it, straight up to the ceiling and beyond. “I didn’t want to admit I was in love with you, and I was afraid to hope you might love me.” She caressed his shoulder as he touched his hand to her cheek. “I was so ashamed for engaging myself to Mr.Ratley. Are you not scandalized that people are gossiping about me being engaged to that insurrectionist?”

“That’s all over now.” He caressed her hair and pulled her even closer. “I don’t care what people say. I shall make you my baroness, and then they will have to still their wagging tongues.” He kissed her again, sending warmth all through her.

When the kiss ended, she said, “You were always so serious. I could not tell what you thought of me. And when you saved me from my runaway horse ... It’s my fault you were beaten and thrown into the outbuilding.” She squeezed her eyes shut as a tear leaked from the corner of her eye. “You could have gotten away if not for me.”

He wiped her tear with his thumb. “It’s not your fault, and I would do it all again to save you.”

This time she raised her face and kissed him. “I love you, Philip McDowell—Baron McDowell. I love you, and I always will.”

EPILOGUE

The engagement of Felicity and Philip was announced, and a few days later, Felicity’s aunt Agnes received a visit from Mr.Birtwistle. He was staying with the McDowells at their London town house, but after visiting Miss Appleby two days in a row, he proposed marriage.

The two couples were married four weeks later in a double ceremony.

Philip and Felicity learned a few weeks later that Napoleon had been defeated again and exiled to Saint Helena. Felicity gratefully received the news that her brother had come home whole and well from the war.