An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

‘Is that an invitation?’ His heart leapt at the thought. ‘Does this mean you’re considering my proposal?’

‘I didn’t say that.’ Her lashes fluttered downwards for a second, obscuring his view of her eyes. ‘But it might help me to decide.’

‘Well, in that case...’ He rested the oars on his lap and leaned forward, bringing his face down to hers.

‘I am considering it.’ She spoke softly, tilting the parasol so that they were both sheltered from any view of the house. ‘Only I can’t promise anything, not yet.’

‘I understand.’ He rubbed his nose lightly against hers. ‘It’s a big decision.’

‘Not to mention sudden and impetuous and reckless. And anyone watching is going to get very suspicious if I keep my parasol here for much longer. You ought to hurry up and kiss me, Captain Delaney, or I’ll have to do it myself.’

‘Go ahead.’ The words made him positively feverish. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’

Brown eyes seemed to spark briefly before she kissed him, closing the remaining distance between them without hesitation or trepidation or the faintest hint of reticence. Her lips were soft and silky, tasting of the wine they’d drunk at lunchtime, intoxicating his senses more than a whole bottle of rum could have done. He kissed her back, sliding his tongue past the smooth line of her lips. She moaned softly and he went deeper, cupping one hand around the back of her head as he tasted the inside of her mouth. He could feel each of their heartbeats accelerating through both layers of their clothing, could feel the gasp of her breath as his own emerged in increasingly short bursts. Unfortunately, he could also feel the oars slipping away from his lap.

‘You’re a fast learner.’ He ended the kiss reluctantly, making a grab for the oars before they fell into the water.

‘You’re a good teacher, Captain.’ She tipped the parasol back behind her head, her cheeks pinker than ever. ‘I’m almost tempted to let you take me ashore, after all. Except that then I’d have to marry you.’

‘If I thought you could be compromised so easily, then we’d be there already.’ He arched an eyebrow. ‘But something tells me you wouldn’t let me get away with that.’

‘You’re right. Unlike ladies, shopkeepers are allowed to be slightly scandalous. It might actually sell more biscuits, especially if you do turn out to be an earl.’

‘Well, in that case...’

‘No!’

‘Just as long as you’re thinking about it.’

‘I am.’ She leaned back again, a smile dancing about her kiss-swollen lips. ‘I am thinking about it, Captain.’

Chapter Seventeen

Anna pulled back the green-velvet brocade of her bedroom curtains to look out at the dawn. The park around Staunton was shrouded in a thin layer of mist, but spring was in full flush, making the whole world look vibrant and sparkling and green. Not just one shade of green either, but at least twenty different shades all merging seamlessly together. It made her feel alive and happy and rejuvenated.

Now that she was at liberty to sleep in, she found she didn’t want to. She was eager to start the day, to see Samuel again, too. Unconsciously, she lifted a hand to her mouth, remembering the feeling of his lips against hers. Telling him about what had happened eight years ago, not to mention meeting her uncle and grandmother, had made her feel as if several weights had been lifted from her shoulders all at once. And the boat ride afterwards had been quite...enlightening. Kissing Samuel behind her parasol had felt wicked and thrilling at the same time. She’d told him she could get used to this kind of life and, surprisingly, she’d actually meant it. Not lounging around in boats all day, of course, but a life in the countryside. It was all so unexpectedly peaceful. And surely a countess would have a purpose in life, too. It wouldn’t all be entertaining neighbours and arranging dinner parties and picnics. She could do some good for the estate and the people

who lived there. She could...

She let the curtain fall abruptly. She was getting ahead of herself. She’d agreed to think about marriage, but there was no hurry, especially when so much was still undecided. Samuel had implied that he wanted an answer before he knew what his future would be, but there wasn’t just his potential inheritance to consider. There was the matter of his grandfather’s health, too. She couldn’t marry him while she was keeping such a big secret. It would be disloyal, especially after he’d called her honest and loyal. Perhaps she ought to write to the Baroness and ask permission to tell him?

She started towards the writing desk in one corner and then stopped at the sound of a light tap on the door. At such an early hour of the morning she assumed it could only be her mother, opening her door and feeling a thrill of excitement at the sight of Samuel instead.

‘I thought you might be up already.’ He smiled, his gaze skimming over her nightgown in a way that made the skin beneath tingle. ‘Did you sleep well?’

‘Yes, thank you.’ She clutched the neck of her nightgown self-consciously. It was warm enough that she hadn’t felt the need for a wrap and the top ribbon must have come undone while she slept, letting the edges fall open. By contrast, Samuel was already dressed, albeit casually, in a loose-fitting shirt and trousers paired with Hessian boots. Judging by the swathe of dark stubble on his chin, he hadn’t shaved yet, either. ‘What about you?’

‘Surprisingly well, all things considered.’ He pressed one hand against the door frame. ‘I had quite lucid dreams.’

‘Oh?’

‘You might be better not knowing,’ he teased. ‘But I’m here with an invitation. I met with the estate steward last night and he told me something you might be interested in. It’s in the gardens so I thought we could go and see if it’s true together. Meet me in the hall in ten minutes?’

‘Sooner than that.’ She didn’t even pause to consider. ‘Give me five.’

Hurriedly, she closed the door, divesting herself of her nightgown and replacing it with a plain blue muslin dress and woollen shawl. Her hair was already impossible, most of it having escaped from its braid to surround her face with a mass of tight, bouncy curls, but she was in too much of a hurry now to do anything about it.

‘I’m ready.’ She hurried down to the hall where Samuel was waiting, speaking in a loud whisper so as not to disturb the rest of the household.