Page 2 of Saving a Scoundrel
Her first instinct was to step back with a clever, self-deprecating quip. But Ellie shook off that instinct. Not today. Today she would take a risk. She was twenty-four years old and had never kissed a man. Olivia was the same age and had been married and widowed already. Ellie had waited years for Lucius to be her first kiss, but she would wait no more. She slid her hands up and grasped the lapels of his wool coat.
Those green eyes widened, and one eyebrow rose in question.
Gathering her courage, she rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. She had no idea how to kiss someone, but his lips were warm despite the cold, and she found kissing him to be quite pleasant. Ellie tilted her head and brushed her lips across his again. His hand at her back stilled. She dared to glance up and meet his startled gaze. But, oh Lord, what was she doing? Ellie pulled back fractionally, her eyelids fluttered closed in embarrassment.
Then the hand at her back flexed, and Lucius pulled her hard against him. His other hand rose to frame her face, and he kissed her. Really kissed her.
A pulse of pleasurable heat raced through her as his lips caressed her own. The tip of his tongue ran along her bottom lip, and Ellie’s lips parted at his wordless request. He changed the angle of the kiss, his wicked tongue tangling with hers. Ellie was no longer cold, nor confused, nor sad. There was nothing but the heat of his kiss and his intoxicating scent of lemon soap and tobacco.
His thumb gently rubbed across her cheek just before he pulled back. He leaned his forehead against hers. “Well, that was a surprise.”
Ellie opened her eyes slowly. She wanted to savor the last moments of her first kiss before she had to face what she had just done. She had kissed Lucius Grisham! It had been everything she’d dreamed it would be. But now, Lucius looked down at her with soft concern.
All of her breath left her body in one long whoosh. Her face was on fire. Lord, what had she done? What could she say to him? Panic fluttered in her throat, and like the coward she was, she turned and fled across the frozen churchyard.
Chapter One
April 1825
“Where is Susanna?”Ellie grumbled. Her frayed nerves were raw from shock. The discussion with her father had thrown her into a panic. Married? How could she marry a man she barely knew?
“Here she is,” Charlotte said.
Ellie looked over at the door to the library. Susanna glided into the room with several books clutched in her arms. “Sorry that I’m late. I was gathering some books to share. Everything is in an uproar at home as my mother prepares to leave for London.” She plopped into a chair.
Charlotte smiled serenely. “Don’t worry, that’s to be expected.” She passed Susanna a cup of tea. Charlotte was ever the gracious hostess. And since she married last year and had her own household, she loved having everyone over to sit in her library for their book club. The book club was really more of a book-lending club. They each read what they wanted, and then at the monthly meeting, they shared what they had enjoyed and passed along any good books to one of the others.
“Ellie has some big news she needs to discuss. She is jittery as a jackrabbit.” Olivia gestured to Ellie.
Normally she would protest the description, but Ellie glanced down at the teacup in her hand, and it indeed shook. She set it down on the table and glanced around at her friends. Charlotte, with her wide green eyes, the same color as her brother’s, always had a happy glow about her these days. Olivia still looked a bit pale and drawn, as though she wasn’t sleeping well. Sophia sat next to her, calm and serene as usual. The newest member of their circle of friends, she still was an enigma.
Susanna leaned forward eagerly, her long gold earrings swinging gently. “What news?”
Ellie took a deep breath in. “My father wants me to marry his new curate, Mr. Evans. He thinks it would be a sensible match.”
“Somber, pious, Mr. Evans?” Susanna scrunched her nose. “No. No, I forbid it.”
“Unfortunately, I hardly think your opinion matters to my father.” Ellie slumped back against the settee.
“Mr. Evans seems a nice gentleman. I don’t find him somber, just quiet and introspective.” Charlotte shot Susanna a disapproving look. “What exactly did your father say, Ellie?”
“He asked what my opinion of Mr. Evans was. And of course, I was polite and replied that he was quite nice. And that’s when my father said wouldn’t it be a good idea for me to marry Mr. Evans? Mr. Evans could take over as vicar when he retires. I would make the perfect pastor’s wife, and wouldn’t that all work out perfectly?” Ellie glanced around at her friends. “I just sat there and nodded like a good little girl. But the little voice in my head was screaming in denial.” She covered her face with her hands.
Her whole life flashed before her eyes. Quietly living in Marbury, catering to her husband and father, raising a brood of kids. No adventures, no romance, no traveling. Ellie put a hand to her mouth to stifle a sob. Self-pity was unattractive. Her father was a kind and generous man; he only wanted for her to be settled and happy. But Mr. Evans? He was so very boring.
Charlotte moved closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Ellie, I know exactly how you feel. You must tell your father you’re not sure. Tell him how you feel.”
“I agree,” Olivia said. “Your father is a dear; he wouldn’t make you marry if he thought you would be unhappy.”
“Can she go against her father’s wishes?” Sophia asked. “I know I was not able to when I married. A father’s word is law in Italy.”
“Technically, it is the same here. But Ellie is old enough at twenty-four that she can marry someone without her father’s consent,” Olivia explained. “Not that I’m suggesting you go against your father’s wishes. Just that you should speak to him about your true feelings toward Mr. Evans.”
Susanna snapped her fingers. “No, that’s it! She doesn’t have to marry Mr. Evans if she could find someone better.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “And who exactly would that be? It’s not like I have men waiting around the corner to woo me. Mr. Evans is the only unmarried man under thirty-five in Marbury anyhow. It’s hardly a hotbed for eligible gentlemen.”
Susanna’s smile grew. “Just leave it to me, dear. I have a plan brewing.” She tapped her temple.
