Beyond the Foothills by Essie Summers

Author:Essie Summers [Author, Unknown]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-01-21T01:37:52+00:00

She was held against him, began a protest, and was very effectively silenced. She tried to push him away, but she found his shoulder as unyielding as Stalwart Crag above Lantern Hill. She closed her eyes against the feelings that surged through her, feelings she didn't want to recognize -- delight, enchantment even. This, then, was what kissing was supposed to be. Till now she'd thought it vastly overrated. Greater depths underlay this: a sort of fundamental magnetism, swamped by a desire to give and keep giving and to receive. At that moment he lifted his mouth from hers.

'No doubt I ought to apologize. But it was irresistible. I hope you found it as enjoyable as I did.'

The sheer effrontery of his light tone gave her time to recover from the surprising intensity of her feelings. She drew in a deep breath she sorely needed and said tartly, 'Well, all I can say, Mr. Sinclair, is this: if you're as susceptible as this to close quarters with a girl, if your sister and mother had succeeded in getting the husband-hunting Eleanor up here, you'd probably have found yourself wedded to her before Christmas!'

He burst out laughing. 'My dear Miss Sinjin, did anyone ever tell you what a waspish tongue you have? Suits me all right, though - I do enjoy a verbal battle. Now this Eleanor, she'd probably have sickened me by agreeing with everything I said, cooed and simpered.' Marilla gave way to real mirth. When she sobered up she said, 'It might be interesting to meet her. She might be all you'd want in a wife.'

'I know exactly what I want in a wife.'

'Then I think it's hardly likely you'll ever get married. It's a very bad thing to have such definite ideas.'

She stepped outside. He came after her, caught her fingers to hold her back, said 'Ouch!' having used his right hand.

She said, callously, 'Now if I was really waspish, I'd mutter —Serve you right." But I won't. I have a very forgiving nature.'

He only chuckled. He came to her other side, took that arm. 'Now, don't flee. I promise not to kiss you again ... tonight. I don't want you falling over and doing yourself an injury. We're going to depend upon you very much the next week or two. And I was only going to keep you here till I asked you something, not attempt another kiss.'

'Ask me what?'

'If you had definite ideas. About a husband?'

'No, what made you think I might have?'

'I thought that might account for your not being snapped up before.'

She laughed; she must keep it light. 'Perhaps it's a case of: —nobody asked me, sir, she said."'

'I can't believe that, it isn't true, is it?' Laughter bubbled up in Marilla, as she thought of those last few weeks. Somehow this was

putting it in its right perspective. It had seemed like sheer persecution at the time.

'No, it's not true. But thanks for the compliment.'

'Why didn't you accept any of them?'

She didn't answer. He repeated his question.

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