The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 by Kimberley Comeaux Page B

and he finally did what he had most wanted to do since he gazed at her across that crowded ballroom. He took her face into his large palms and lowered his lips to hers. He could hear her quick intake of breath, then the soft sigh as she pressed in to kiss him back.

    Tenderly, he kissed her mouth, delighting in the poignant connection so evident between them. It was a sense of belonging, a sense of knowing they were meant to be. Thomas felt her tremble, and sensing she must be frightened by the emotions of such an ardent and loving connection, he left her mouth to plant a kiss on her cheek, then her ear before folding her into his arms.

    His heart ached that so many problems seemed to plague their relationship, and as they embraced, he sent a silent petition up to God to give Katherine peace and assurance.

    After a moment, she stepped away from him, but he moved to take her hand, unwilling to sever their poignant encounter.

    "We should not have-" she began in a shaky voice.

    "Do not say it, Katherine. You are going to be my wife! It's perfectly acceptable for us to have moments alone together and even share a simple kiss." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I pray you will have no more doubts or fears about us, Katherine. I love you," he stated emphatically, and-this time she did not stop him, only stared at him with an indecipherable expression. "Let that be your comfort. Let that be your assurance."

    She didn't say anything for a few moments as her gaze lowered to their clasped hands. "I don't think I've ever met a man like you, Thomas. You seem too good to be true--everything that is good and kind." She shook her head as if confused.

    "Katherine, do not put me on a pedestal. I have faults like any other man. If Anne were here, I'm sure she'd give you a long list of complaints against me as a husband." He reached out and lifted her chin so she was looking at him. "Will you come to Rosehaven tomorrow? I have decided the manor needs a little sprucing up and want your input since you shall be mistress there," he told her, changing the subject.

    She paused as if grappling with her answer. "I will come, though I am not very talented in the art of decoration," she answered finally.

    He brought her hand up and caressed her bare knuckles with a soft kiss. "It does not matter. It will be your home, and you should have a say on how it should be styled."

    He had a moment of foreboding as one of those fearful expressions crossed her pretty features. But when she nodded, he put it out of his head, intent on enjoying every second with his soon-to-be wife.

    "What game are you playing, Katherine!" Theodora snapped as soon as she entered her bedroom.

    "What are you doing in my room, Theodora?" she countered, not in the· mood to deal with her overbearing cousin.

    "Don't be coy with me, Kate! Why have you been lying to me, and why did you give instructions to Ambrose to say you were unavailable?"

    Katherine walked to her dressing table and began taking down her hair since it had become loose from the wind. "I don't want to go through with this anymore, Dora. I wonder why I agreed in the first place!" She all but threw the hairpins on her oak dressing table as she spoke.

    She heard Theodora sigh and come walking up behind her where her cousin could see her in the large round mirror.

    "Because you wanted to right a wrong, Kate. A wrong Nicholas Thornton wants to forget," Theodora added quietly.

    Katherine's head snapped up, and she stared searchingly at her cousin through the mirror. "What have you heard?"

    Theodora turned away with a shrug and with a show of nonchalance picked up a comb from the dressing table, pretending to study it. "It's only servants' talk, you understand.

    But it's been told to me the earl was heard trying to talk Thomas out of marrying you, that he didn't trust you or something like that." Her eyes slowly rose to Kate's. "He even threatened Thomas. That is why Thomas ran over here in such a hurry to