Page 68 of A Duchess Mistaken
“Why do you offer yourself?” he asked, searching her eyes. He was so close he could feel her breath on his skin. So close he could feel the quick rise and fall of her bosom, lightly kissing his chest. It was all he could do to keep his eyes on her face. He needed to know her response.
“I…I thought that…”
“If you are suggesting that we marry only as a solution for my problems, Agnes, then I would rather die starving than see you reduced to that.” The intensity of his words had her eyes widening but Johnathan couldn’t help it. “Now that I have come to know you, Agnes, I respect you far too much to let yourself do such a thing. Now that I have come to care for you.”
He didn’t think she was breathing. Or perhaps that was him? The air did seem incredibly still.
“But if there is something else that motivates you,” he continued in a softer tone. “Something that may suggest your heart’s true intention, then I would love nothing more than your hand in marriage.”
“Johnathan…”
“Tell me, Agnes,” he whispered to her, desperation lacing his words. He pressed her hand against his chest and her eyes widened at the rapid pace of its bating. “Tell me that I am not the only one who feels like this. Tell me that I am not alone in my torture.”
“Johnathan, I…” She trailed off, eyes falling to his lips. The last thread of control he’d been valiantly holding on to snapped.
Johnathan did the same, heat curling through his body when she licked her lips. He doubted she knew how tempting she was, how that single act turned him into a starving man who had just witnessed food being set before him. His entire body shook as he forced himself to be slow, gentle. He left the question in the air as he lowered his lips to hers, waiting for her to make the wise decision and push him away.
She must have been as desperate as he was because she reached up on her toes to meet him.
Johnathan could not hold back any longer. Days of dreaming of this very moment had not prepared him for how perfect it was. Her lips molded effortlessly against his, the flush of her body against his chest akin to a key sliding into a lock. It was as if they were made for each other, made for this moment exactly.
He placed a hand on the side of her face, letting it trail its way up to her hair. Johnathan felt the feather-like touches of her fingers against his back as if she was uncertain of where to put them. But her lips moved against his as if she’d been born to do this, as if she needed it as much as he did.
It took every bit of his willpower to pull away. Agnes was left gasping, staring up at him with clouded eyes.
“Does this mean you accept?” she whispered.
Johnathan shook his head. He still held her and was not very eager to let go of her for now. “I shan’t accept your proposal, Agnes.”
Her brows dipped. “But I thought?—”
“It feels like a mark upon my honor as a gentleman. It is I who should be asking you if you wish to become my wife.”
Agnes’ confusion cleared as her face lit with a bright smile. “What shall you do if I say no?”
Johnathan didn’t think twice about kissing her again. When he pulled away this time, she laughed in surprise. “How about now?” he asked.
Her laughter was like music to his ears. “It would be an honor, Your Grace.”
He wanted to kiss her again so he did. Long and slow, despite how improper it was for them to do so. If the gardener was to happen upon them…
It wouldn’t matter now. Not now that they were to be married. Not now that he knew she shared his feelings and was willing to hold his hand to the very end. They’d begun as partners and would end as partners in every sense of the word. Right now, that was all that mattered to him.
CHAPTER 25
Agnes didn’t know how she made it back to the manor. Her legs remained unsteady and shaky as she headed out of the hedge maze. Much to Johnathan’s glee, of course, because it gave him a reason to hold her closer. It was all under the guise of helping her, but Agnes knew better. And she couldn’t be more thrilled.
By the time they made it to the manor, the last wisps of sunset were drifting away, casting a shadow across the estate. It only meant that they had to be more discreet so Agnes took the lead, hurrying into the manor and towards her chambers before they could be discovered. But not before sneaking a bold kiss on Johnathan’s lips and feeling that poignant sense of satisfaction at the surprise in his eyes.
Her heart raced as she hurried to her chambers. The butterflies still swarming her stomach did not seem intent on giving her much relief any time soon and she could not fight the smile stretching across her face no matter how hard she tried. Bridgetcame to a halt in front of her door, her hand posed over the door knob. Should she tell Caroline about this?
There was nothing she wanted more than to divulge all the salacious details of what had happened…but perhaps she shouldn’t. She wanted to savor the moment on her own before sharing it with anyone else.
“You look awfully happy.”
Bridget’s blood ran cold. The shrill, snide voice was enough to give the heartiest warriors nightmares, she reckoned. But as she turned to the speaker, she wondered if the sneer on the countess’ face would do far more damage to one’s peace of mind.
Thankfully, she was made of stuff strong enough to face whatever Lady Reeds was about to throw at her with her back held straight.
