Page 47 of Gumiho Kiss
Chin Sun started to speak, but her cousin cut her off.“I know, I know.I shouldn’t have read something so personal, but I couldn’t help it.”She put her hands over her cheeks.“It’s so romantic I could swoon.”
“Romantic?”Chin Sun scoffed.“If anyone were to see us, it would be a scandal.His father might even rethink the wedding.I don’t understand why he would ask me to do this....”
Sang Mi’s expression was incredulous.“How could you not understand?”She snatched the letter.“It’s so obvious.Why else would a man ask to meet a woman secretly except because he’s in love with her?”
Chin Sun staggered back a step.“In love?You think that’s why?But the letter doesn’t say anything of the kind.For all I know, he could want to meet to end things.”
Her cousin shook her head as if Chin Sun were stupid.“Trust me, Unni.I’m right about this.”
Kang Dol Sam, in love with her?The idea seemed far-fetched at best, even if they were engaged.Marriages between nobles were about establishing connections, expanding power, not about love.
She thought back to the day Young Master Kang had eaten at her family’s house, the hurt on his face when she’d tried to reject Mr.Park as a bodyguard.
Had it been love driving his actions?At the time, she’d assumed it was a token of goodwill, a gesture to show he took his responsibilities as a future husband seriously.
But if his feelings toward her were more than that?—
Guilt gnawed at her.Kang Dol Sam deserved to love someone who loved him back.Someone who wasn’t plotting to do something untoward with his friend.
Sang Mi set down the letter, then waltzed over to Chin Sun’s clothing chest and threw it open.“Now, what should one wear for a romantic tryst?”
Chin Sun swallowed.“I’m not going.”
Her cousin continued perusing the clothes.“I thought you wanted the chance to kiss him.Thisis that chance.”
“I can’t.He ...if what you said is true and he really is in love with me ...I’m not worthy to be his bride.I ...Maybe I need to talk with Uncle, call the wedding off.”
“What?”Sang Mi’s eyebrows flew up.“You can’t be serious.”She crossed the room and took Chin Sun’s hands in her own.Her stare was hard, penetrating, almost angry.“There is no one in all of Joseon worthier than you.”
Tears pricked at Chin Sun’s eyes, and she pulled out of her cousin’s grip.“I wish that were true.”
Sang Mi’s shoulders drooped.Her expression went vacant for a few seconds before she gave Chin Sun a wicked smirk.“Well, if you don’t believe me, I’ll just have to get Mr.Park.”
“Mr.Park?”
“He’s the one who delivered the letter, and the one Young Master Kang asked to escort you.Surely he knows his friend’s plans.”
Sang Mi moved toward the door.
Chin Sun’s hand shot out.“Wait!”
Her cousin turned back, frowning.“What?”
She grimaced, then lowered her hand.She couldn’t exactly explain the awkwardness of asking the man she’d tried to kiss about his friend’s feelings toward her.The very thought made her neck unbearably warm.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Cousin.”Sang Mi laughed.“If it makes you feel better,I’lldo the talking.”She slipped out, leaving Chin Sun to wonder if talking to Sang Mi had been a grave mistake.
The hanji doors slid back open a few minutes later, but Chin Sun couldn’t look up as her cousin came inside, Park Hyun Soo in tow.
Park Hyun Soo.It was the first time she’d addressed him that way, even in her head.
Chin Sun’s eyes widened, her pulse hammering in her ears.All she could think about was their dizzying almost-kiss the other day.His strong grip on her middle, his unnerving gaze, his pounding heartbeat beneath her palm.
“My cousin and I would like to know the meaning behind this letter.”Sang Mi retrieved the note and held it out to Mr.Park.
Chin Sun peeked at him, desperate to know his thoughts.Was Kang Dol Sam truly in love with her?And if so, how did Mr.Park feel about it?
He didn’t take the proffered letter and instead addressed Sang Mi.“He wants to meet with Lady Lee tomorrow night.I’m not sure what else you want to know.”His posture was rigid, suspicion gleaming in his eyes.
