Once they had the box to themselves, the
duke turned to her, his eyes shimmering. “I have a strong desire to
kiss you.”
It took her a moment to respond. Should she
admit she felt the same? Should she be the proper young lady and
forbid such conversation? Should she tell him she had no experience
kissing? Finally, she shed her pride and all but admitted to her
need. “We can’t here for all to see. We need a dark corner.”
A slow smile stretched across his agreeable
face as his gaze moved to the rear corner of the box. “I believe
we’ve got just the place here.”
She looked up into his glistening eyes and
squeezed the hand that was still holding hers.
“Come, my love,” he murmured, getting to his
feet.
Her heartbeat exploded. He’d called her my
love. Lucy had been right!
Still clutching his hand, she followed him
into the dark corner and flowed into his embrace. It was as if their
two bodies blended into one. Nothing had ever felt so good. Or so
right. She slowly lifted her head. It was too dark to see him, but
feeling him was even better. His mouth closed over hers, gently at
first, then hungrily. Her own hunger matched his. Her lips parted,
and she sucked his tongue in a magical blending. No part of her was
immune from the ecstasy he gave.
It suddenly occurred to her that she had no
idea what constituted a correct kiss. Was she doing it right? All
she had to judge it by was her lover’s reaction, and the duke seemed
to be enjoying it as much as she.
He finally lifted his head and lovingly
cradled her face. After dropping a kiss on her forehead, he said,
“Oh, my dear Emily, I must commend the person who taught you to
kiss.”
“That would be you, Your Grace,” she
whispered.
“Ah, a natural learner.” He sighed.” I don’t
want to, but we must return to our seats.”
She was still stunned over him addressing
her as my love.
They returned to their seats, and once more
he caressed her hand within both of his. “I should like to kiss you
every day of my life,” he whispered.
Was he proposing marriage?