Page 47 of Reckless Desire

“Who else would he be with?” Sir Stirling asked. “They are to be married, you know.”

Kenna snapped open her eyes. Lord Newhall looked down at her, brows raised.

“You planned this,” she whispered.

“Not quite all this,” he said.

“He is sure to fight another duel,” Christine Stanton said.

“Good Lord, he will not be fighting a duel,” Kenna retorted.

“Quite right,” Sir Stirling said.

“Come along,” Lady Chastity said. “Leave Sir Stirling to deal with his handiwork.”

The girls giggled and tittered, but their voices died away, and Sir Stirling said, “Newhall, why don’t we step outside while Miss Ramsay puts herself to rights?”

Lord Newhall looked down at her.

“You can get off of me now, sir.”

“Sir? I think you can finally call me Bryson.”

Kenna shoved him. He didn’t budge, but looked up at Stirling. “I am in the mood for a midnight wedding.”

“That is likely best,” Stirling said.

“I will not marry you,” Kenna said.

Lord Newhall looked down at her. “To say you are ruined is an understatement, Kenna. Do you despise me so that you cannot stomach the thought of marrying me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “I simply am not going to insist you marry me when I did this-this of my own accord.”

He drew in a deep breath and her heart skipped a beat at sight of his broad chest expanding. “You may not believe it, my dear, but I have fallen hopelessly in love with you, and I cannot live without you.”

“That-that is not possible,” she whispered. “No one falls in love in two days.”

“I never said I fell in love in two days,” he replied.

“But you just said—”

“That I am hopelessly in love with you, aye. But I fell in love with you the moment I saw you.”

Kenna rolled her eyes. “That is even more ridiculous.”

He nodded. “Falling in love at first sight is a Newhall tradition. Never worry, my sweet, I am not upset that it took you two days to fall in love with me.”

She stared.

He lifted a brow.

She said nothing.

“You have fallen in love with me?” he asked.

“I’m not certain it is safe to say yes.”

He waited.

“If I say no, do you plan on rescuing me again?” she asked.

He nodded vigorously. “Aye.”

She sighed. “Then I suppose I had better say yes. I feel certain I cannot survive another rescue.”

He grinned. Then kissed her again.

###