Felicia (24 page)

“Forgiven, my lord?” she whispered. “Why there is nothing to forgive.” She made a feeble effort to disengage her hand from his clasp, but his grip tightened and, instead of releasing her, he pulled her closer to him.

His mouth found her ear and he nibbled at the lobe. “Then you think you can ignore such outbursts in the future?” His voice was soft and, as she could barely hear him she leaned closer, unabashedly enjoying his nearness. He put a hand under her chin and turned her face to his.

For an endless moment they gazed deep into each other’s eyes before Lord Umber brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her passionately.

“My darling Felicia,” he murmured. “When will you marry me?”

Felicia felt so exquisite a joy envelop her that she was unable to do anything more than clasp her hands around his neck and bring his lips to hers again. A long time passed before she finally broke from her lover’s embrace.

“Maybe I would prefer a house in Richmond,” she said mischievously. “With servants…and pin money
…and…
”

“Nay, my brazen hussy,” Lord Umber broke in. “’Tis marriage or nothing I propose this time.”

“Then you force me to accept.”