A Snowlit Christmas Kiss by Larissa Lyons

Author:Larissa Lyons
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781949426373
Publisher: Literary Madness

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“I know.” Ed held her gaze, felt his lips lift in a stiff grin. Was both amazed—and relieved—she hadn’t slapped him for the sentiment. “Totally inappropriate, to suggest something of the sort after such a short acquaintance. To a woman of your obvious quality. Please do not be insulted.”

She regarded him in such a way he was completely baffled. What had her gasp conveyed? Was it outrage? Or, dare he hope, excitement?

It matters not, you blackguard! Would you betray your almost-betrothed, one Miss Larchmont, before you ever meet her?

Should I sacrifice my happiness forevermore? For of a sudden, it seemed of great import that he speak what was in his heart—the beginnings of exactly what, he knew not. But the thought of never seeing her again wounded as surely as a blade.

All she did was scrape her teeth over her bottom lip, release it, eyes narrowed and glittering in the bright morning sun. “Go on.”

“I—I…” He stumbled, fumbled about like a soused idiot with no notion of which way to go. “I like you exceedingly. And completely out of proportion to the length of our association, but when one considers the circumstances, perhaps my regard may be counted not a measure of insanity?”

Insane or not, you must end this folly now.

“I wish, fervently so, that I was in a position to see you again, but alas—”

She placed her fingers against his mouth, stalling whatever he’d intended to say. “I think I understand. Astonishingly, no insult is felt. Only a large measure of flatteration—is that a word?” Her fingers drifted down his chest. “Doubtful, but it does work for the moment.”

“As have we. Thank you for the wondrous kisses.”

“I shall remember those always.” His Maryann spoke swiftly and blinked faster than he’d seen her do thus far. “And I must be off. I may delay no longer.”

“Right.” Well then. There was that. How did he remain upright and stoic, given how the burgeoning dreams he’d dared conceive now clashed and clattered all around him? She obviously cared naught for his barbarous declarations. Needed to return to her home and life. “And we cannot forget that I have a cat to bury properly.”

She gripped his hand. “And to say a prayer over? Please.”

Ed grimaced. His hand? Did the missing one bother her? He thought not, but perhaps—

“I know you do not like cats.”

“I never claimed that.” He pushed the lowering thought away. He might have insulted her honor with the mistress mention, but he’d not insult her by thinking less of their time together, not belittle himself, by trying to ascertain why she now seemed so determined to be off. “What I do not like is the idea of burying them in the dark, in the middle of the night, when it’s freezing and sleeting.”

“I can acknowledge that.” She released his hand, grudgingly, or so he wanted to think. “I wish you safe journeys.”

He gave a slight smile, trying not to cry out at the loss of her touch, more than somewhat wistful about all that would never happen.

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