Page 37 of A Rogue to Reform

“Yes, I had. The day you came to the house, I hurried from the textile warehouse to see if I’d received an invite.”

At a loss, she studied him. “I do not understand. Had you planned to…” She swallowed. “To pursue a relationship with me?”

“I had…yes.”

She stood and went to the open French doors. Evan followed. The fresh air helped her breathe. “I am not sure what to think.”

He rubbed his palms down his thighs and looked past her, seeming suddenly nervous. “Felicity, you occupy my every waking moment. You are the perfect combination of beauty and feist. There is nothing I do not admire about you. That every man doesn’t fall at your feet makes me wonder why. I am fortunate to know you.”

“Evan,” she replied, unable to believe what he’d just uttered. Her heart galloped so fast and so hard she was sure he could hear it.

“It doesn’t matter now, does it?” he said in a tight voice. “I am sure the gossips have already spread what happened.”

Turning, she found herself practically against him. “I doubt it was overheard by more than one table.”

“It may be enough. Mother is right; my actions are leading things in an ugly direction. It is probably best I leave Glasgow for a while and allow things to simmer down. My father requires someone to go and proffer items for the business. He is asking for volunteers to travel to Portugal.”

He seemed startled when she placed her hand on his forearm. “Don’t go, Evan. It is not as bad as it seems.”

When he looked at her, she was lost in his dark eyes. “How could I ever deny you anything?” The corners of his lips lifted. “I am besotted with you, Felicity. I can no longer deny it.”

Her breath caught. It could not be true. “Do not toy with me.” She was about to take a step away when his arms circled her, and his mouth took hers.

Felicity clung to him as they continued to kiss; all thought was gone other than falling under the spell of his mouth and the feel of his hard body against hers.

When they broke the kiss, both breathed heavily. “I should go.”

“We should speak first, Evan. You cannot leave without us coming to some sort of agreement. The dinner…it will take place the day after tomorrow.”

An expression of pain crossed his features. “It would be best if you choose another as a suitor.”

Patience had never been one of her virtues, and Felicity was short on it today. “Your brother, for instance?”

“You wouldn’t dare.” By his expression, he very much believed she would.

“Of course I would.”

He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. “If you truly feel strongly for me, please wait. We have to wait for this all to blow over; otherwise, your parents will never allow you to be with me.”

A gentle sensation fell over her and Felicity knew that no one would make her as happy as Evan. Despite his reputation and a myriad of past transgressions, her heart was forever his.

“You are who I constantly think about as well,” Felicity began and smiled up at him. “Evan, I cannot fathom anyone else but you. You see, I feel as if without you, I am not tethered, not fully formed. It is as if you and only you finish me.” At his incredulous expression, she smiled. “Of course we must wait. I have to be sure you will not return to being a rogue. I will not marry you if you dare step past another woman’s threshold for any reason whatsoever. Your mother excluded, of course.”

His lips twitched with a hint of a smile. “I accept your challenge and will be as chaste as a virgin until you and I…” He paused and took a deep breath. “Marry.”

At his last word, Felicity stared at him, her mouth falling open. “I cannot believe you said the words. That you wish for us to marry.” A giggle escaped.

“That is my intention, yes. But I will not ask you properly until a few weeks pass. First we must wait.”

As much as she wanted to throw caution to the wind, to say to hell with all the restrictions and conventions of society, Felicity knew it had to be as Evan said. They had to wait, and first she had to figure out how to get through Friday.

“You must come on Friday. My parents must see that you are interested. It is imperative that you not seem the indifferent scoundrel they believe you to be.”

“Scoundrel?” His right eyebrow hitched. “Hmmm.”

Felicity giggled. “I made that up. I think they just consider you a rogue, a consummate ladies’ man.”

“I have been careless about my reputation. Not caring much what people think. However, I am making strides to correct the mistakes of my past. I have begun working at my family business. I will come on Friday.”