Read Online The Counterfeit Betrothal by April Kihlstrom - Free Book Online
Authors: April Kihlstrom
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his strong hands brooking no argument. As her face tilted up at his, an unspoken plea strong in her eyes, something stirred within him. Almost against his will his face came closer and his lips closed upon hers. He meant to be gentle, he meant to kiss her lightly, but the kiss became something more, searing through both of them. Had his arms not slid around her waist, Emmaline’s knees would have given way and she would have fallen. Her hands stole up around his neck and she could not help but respond to his demanding lips.
It was Jeremy who abruptly pulled away and turned his back on Emmaline. For what seemed an eternity there was only the sound of their breath coming in broken gasps. Eventually he said, his voice mocking her cruelly, “So, my dear, I had mistaken you. You are not quite the frightened virgin I thought. If it is not fear of what awaits you in our marriage bed that has caused you to break our betrothal, then will you do me the courtesy to tell me what has?”
Emmaline also turned away, not trusting herself to look at him. Her training cried out at how she had forgotten all propriety. With an effort Jeremy could not have guessed at, she forced herself to laugh. She would not let him see how much he meant to her. “I have told you, sir. I realized that I had mistaken my mind. Once I was naive enough to believe I felt a tendre for you and now I have outgrown it.”
“Indeed?” His voice still mocked her. “And do you then make a habit of kissing men that way? I warn you it is a dangerous habit.”
Unable to stop herself, Emmaline whirled to face him and cried out, “And do you, sir, make a habit of—of forcing your attentions upon well-bred, defenseless young women in inns?”
A cold, harsh look came over Jeremy’s face and he bowed. “Forgive me, Miss Delwyn. I had not guessed my attentions were so distasteful to you. I shall take myself away from you at once, and you may follow as soon as you are ready. A word of advice, however. If you do not wish gentlemen to kiss you as I did, then you ought not to agree to be alone with them.” As Emmaline gasped in outrage he added contemptuously, “Nor should you put your arms about their necks and respond in kind. A slap across the face is generally considered a far more effective deterrent.”
And then he was gone, the door to the parlor closing behind him with a distinct bang. Hastily Emmaline tried to control her agitation before anyone came to look for her. She had scarcely succeeded in doing so when Mary rapped at the door and then, poking in her head, said timidly, “The gentlemen said to tell you the carriages are ready and the hour is growing late.”
“Thank you,” Emmaline said with a calm she did not feel. “I shall be right there.”
7
Mrs. Hastings was generally held to be an amiable woman except when it came to her children; she could be truly formidable when aroused and she allowed no interference in their affairs save her own. Indeed, one of the joys of launching her daughter and nieces into the ton had been the opportunity to mold their characters to her satisfaction, though always with a certain kindness, of course.
Mrs. Hastings was well liked, however, for her many kindnesses to shy hostesses or anyone who turned to her for advice. While long accustomed to moving in the first circles, she was never so high in the instep as to be above enjoying her company. And although she certainly expected people to listen politely to what she said, she did not demand that they always agree with her notions.
When Edward Hastings asked his mother that she invite Miss Delwyn to London to stay with them, Mrs. Hastings had genially agreed. No doubt the child would require some direction before she was up to the mark. More important than this, however, was the knowledge of her son’s interest in the woman. Mrs. Hastings had no desire to be presented with a future daughter-in-law she had not herself approved, and while Miss Delwyn was
It was Jeremy who abruptly pulled away and turned his back on Emmaline. For what seemed an eternity there was only the sound of their breath coming in broken gasps. Eventually he said, his voice mocking her cruelly, “So, my dear, I had mistaken you. You are not quite the frightened virgin I thought. If it is not fear of what awaits you in our marriage bed that has caused you to break our betrothal, then will you do me the courtesy to tell me what has?”
Emmaline also turned away, not trusting herself to look at him. Her training cried out at how she had forgotten all propriety. With an effort Jeremy could not have guessed at, she forced herself to laugh. She would not let him see how much he meant to her. “I have told you, sir. I realized that I had mistaken my mind. Once I was naive enough to believe I felt a tendre for you and now I have outgrown it.”
“Indeed?” His voice still mocked her. “And do you then make a habit of kissing men that way? I warn you it is a dangerous habit.”
Unable to stop herself, Emmaline whirled to face him and cried out, “And do you, sir, make a habit of—of forcing your attentions upon well-bred, defenseless young women in inns?”
A cold, harsh look came over Jeremy’s face and he bowed. “Forgive me, Miss Delwyn. I had not guessed my attentions were so distasteful to you. I shall take myself away from you at once, and you may follow as soon as you are ready. A word of advice, however. If you do not wish gentlemen to kiss you as I did, then you ought not to agree to be alone with them.” As Emmaline gasped in outrage he added contemptuously, “Nor should you put your arms about their necks and respond in kind. A slap across the face is generally considered a far more effective deterrent.”
And then he was gone, the door to the parlor closing behind him with a distinct bang. Hastily Emmaline tried to control her agitation before anyone came to look for her. She had scarcely succeeded in doing so when Mary rapped at the door and then, poking in her head, said timidly, “The gentlemen said to tell you the carriages are ready and the hour is growing late.”
“Thank you,” Emmaline said with a calm she did not feel. “I shall be right there.”
7
Mrs. Hastings was generally held to be an amiable woman except when it came to her children; she could be truly formidable when aroused and she allowed no interference in their affairs save her own. Indeed, one of the joys of launching her daughter and nieces into the ton had been the opportunity to mold their characters to her satisfaction, though always with a certain kindness, of course.
Mrs. Hastings was well liked, however, for her many kindnesses to shy hostesses or anyone who turned to her for advice. While long accustomed to moving in the first circles, she was never so high in the instep as to be above enjoying her company. And although she certainly expected people to listen politely to what she said, she did not demand that they always agree with her notions.
When Edward Hastings asked his mother that she invite Miss Delwyn to London to stay with them, Mrs. Hastings had genially agreed. No doubt the child would require some direction before she was up to the mark. More important than this, however, was the knowledge of her son’s interest in the woman. Mrs. Hastings had no desire to be presented with a future daughter-in-law she had not herself approved, and while Miss Delwyn was
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