Enticing Miss Eugenie Villaret by Ella Quinn Page A

made me the happiest of men, my love.”
    “Do you love me?” She hoped it was not just a term he used for all women.
    Andrew smiled. “Above all things. You are everything I’ve been searching for.”
    “I am?” She searched his face. Small lines crinkled at the corners of his eyes and his smile broadened.
    “Yes. I knew from the moment we began going over the accounts together that you were intelligent and had a quick, practical mind.” Andrew kissed first one hand then the other. “That you are a joy to look at commended you to me as well.”
    Cicely lowered her lashes. “It is good that you were impressed first by my mind. Beauty fades.”
    Andrew placed a finger under her chin, raising it. “To me, you will always be lovely.”
    Bubbles of happiness like those in champagne flowed through her. Cicely felt so light, she could be floating through the air. This was what it meant when people said their happiness was complete. “That’s good, because I love you as well.”
    Andrew’s lips met hers, sending sparks shooting through her, like the fireworks on Christmas.
    Was that what Eugénie had experienced with Mr. Munford? Good Lord, she must speak with Andrew about his friend. Maybe he’d have some influence with the man, but first . . . She slid her arms around Andrew’s neck and returned his kiss. This had definitely been worth waiting for.
    “Open your lips.” Though she didn’t understand what he intended to do, she did as he asked. His tongue slipped into her mouth. The sensation was strange but pleasurable, as if they were becoming one person. When his tongue stroked hers, she returned his caresses. Oh my, yes. This was very good. Frissons of pleasure made her whole body tingle.
    He lifted his head. “I’ve wanted to do that since the night we met.”
    She glanced at him, shy for the first time. “I thought you did. If I’d known how nice it would be, I would have as well.”
    His soft chuckle filled the air. “May I say, I’m very pleased you didn’t know?”
    Cicely grinned. “Yes, you may. I’m glad you are the first man to kiss me.”
    He took her lips again, this time with more urgency. She opened to him, reveling in the heat. His hand moved slowly down her back, causing her breasts to press against his hard, muscular chest. She could stay here, with him, forever.
    He groaned, then lifted his head. “We should tell your parents. They’ll be wondering what your answer was.”
    “That is why you were so long in arriving in the drawing room!”
    “Yes.” A sheepish grin appeared on his face. “I am only surprised your father agreed to entertain my suit so soon.”
    “I told him how I felt.” Cicely touched her lips to his. “As for wondering, I think they already know.” She paused for a moment, considering how to approach the problem of his friend. “Andrew, before we go in, I need to discuss something with you.”
    A wrinkle appeared on his forehead. “What is it?”
    “Eugénie.”
    His brows shot up. “Eugénie?”
    What could have caused that reaction? “The friend who was at the warehouse with me.”
    “Oh, Good Lord. Are you going to tell me she is Mrs. Wivenly’s daughter?”
    Cicely nodded. “Yes, but how did you know?”
    He rubbed a hand over his face. “I knew this was going to catch him out.”
    “What is it?” How had Andrew known who Eugénie was before now?
    “I think we should sit.” He took out his handkerchief and cleared the flower petals from the bench, then waited until she sat before taking his place next to her. “Now then. Tell me about the lady.”
    “Eugénie Villaret de Joyeuse is, as you know, Mrs. Wivenly’s daughter from her first marriage. She and her step-father were very close. Eugénie called him her beau-papa , not so much because it’s the word for step-father in French, but because he was so good to her. She never believed the manager, Mr. Howden, when he said the company was losing money, but her mother forbade her from