Wonderful Harriet by Valerie King

Author:Valerie King [King, Valerie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Romance
Publisher: Twin Bridges Creations LLC
Published: 2013-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

Harriet was laughing when she entered the foyer of her townhouse. She thanked Hardwick for escorting her to the ball, for taking her into supper, and for dancing the second waltz with her.

Maybe it was the champagne, and perhaps she had imbibed more than she should, but she was deeply content and twirled as she untied her cape, swinging it from around her shoulders.

She stumbled just a trifle and came up laughing as he steadied her.

She met Hardwick’s gaze and time grew very still.

How long had she loved him?

Yes, that was what went through her mind, that she loved him. Perhaps she always had.

He held her by the shoulders, supporting her. She giggled and said how very stupid she was. She wanted to pull away but the moment rolled on and on.

Was it her imagination, or was he staring at her with half-lidded eyes?

She blinked and drew in a slow breath. He was holding her gaze, almost mesmerizing her. She meant to thank him for such a lovely evening. She even parted her lips to speak the words.

But the moment she did, he bent down and took her lips with his own, his hand snaking around her waist in the most wonderful manner. She slipped her arm around his neck and the kiss deepened, a wonderful warm pressure on her mouth. When his tongue touched her lips, instead of recoiling, she sank against him and cooed which apparently was sufficient permission because then his tongue was in her mouth, in the manner of the French.

She should have pulled away. Indeed, she should have.

But she couldn’t move, she could only finger the hair at the nape of his neck and savor that he was kissing her in such an intimate manner. She felt connected to him, one with him, because of the kiss, as though her soul was touching his.

She was not certain how long the kiss lasted, but an eternity would have been too short.

When he drew back, he took her chin in hand. “I will not apologize, Harriet, not even a little.” He was frowning and her pleasure began to diminish. “I want you to know how much I admire you and desire you, but it cannot be.”

It cannot be? How could he speak so?

She drew out of his arms, her hand sliding from behind his neck to trail down his chest.

The oddest thought sped through her mind. Perhaps because he was casting her aside so easily after just having aroused her feminine heart, she spoke that thought aloud. “Your father is dead, Hardwick.”

He jerked as though she had slapped him. “What does that mean? Why would you say such a thing to me after I kissed you?”

“I want you to think about it because right now, I think you a great fool.”

She was not about to continue the discussion. How dare he kiss her in that passionate manner, then tell her it cannot be?

She left her purple cloak on the marble floor where it had fallen, lifted her ruffled skirts in her hands and raced upstairs.

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