A Hero for Lady Abigail (A Wallflower's Wish #5) - Maggie Dallen Page 0,28

glorious today.”

He chuckled. “There was an unfortunate incident with a tree branch and some lace.”

Abigail’s brows raised up. “I see.”

“The lady would be more comfortable covering the gaffe before she returned to the house.” He managed to keep his tone neutral. He’d not do Charlotte the injustice of publicly berating her but he made a promise to himself that this would be the last outing he took with her.

Abigail shook her head. “To be young and untainted. Wish that I could care about a small rip. I dare say whispers about a torn gown would be a welcome respite from the sort of gossip they say about me.” Then she gave him a wink. “But as it happens, I have the answer to your problems. I always ride with a cloak. One never knows, with English weather, when one might be in need.”

He cocked his head to the side. Was she referring to the rumors that had followed her to this party? Part of him wished to ask. Wished to hear the tale from her perspective. “I think it’s to your credit that you’re not quite so focused on yourself.”

She let go of the reins and reached down to him. Without hesitation he reached up and grabbed her waist as she placed her hands on his shoulders. “Don’t be so sure. I was a fresh debutante once too and I can tell you the pressure to be perfect is immense.”

He lifted her off the saddle and set her lightly on the ground, but he didn’t let her waist go and her hands stayed on his shoulders. “Are you defending Miss Charlotte? Weren’t you the very person who warned me against her?”

She gave him a soft shy smile, the sort that took the air right from his lungs. “Did I?”

“You did.” Without meaning too, he pulled her closer. It may have only been a fraction of an inch but with the move, he could feel her heat seep through his clothes even as her scent wrapped around him.

“Regardless of my feelings about Charlotte, I feel for her position. The need to be the best, to outshine all the others.” She gave her head a little shake at whatever memories she was facing. “Don’t be fooled by a young lady’s pretty smiles, Major, but try not to judge their bad behavior too harshly either. Behind the smiles and the fans, there’s a fierce competition underway.” Her smile was wry. “I should know. I succumbed to the pressure more than once and it wasn’t the most attractive look. In fact, many might tell you that I’m rather hard and cold.”

He drew in a deep breath even as he dropped his head closer to see the look in her eyes. Didn’t she understand that her very admittance proved to him that she wasn’t cold or hard in the least? The fact that she understood her transgressions, regretted them, showed Alex that she was not only capable of change but that she was transforming already. “Really, you feel quite warm to me.”

She gave a small laugh, and he bent even closer, his nose brushing the tip of hers.

She gasped, her hands tightening on his shoulders. “Major.”

His lips were only a breath away from hers and he wanted to kiss her but not with his title on her lips. “Alex. My given name is Alexander, but all my friends and family call me just Alex.”

She softened further into his embrace, her torso brushing his. “Alex.”

It was his name on her lips that finally did it. He leaned closer and, if he wasn’t mistaken, she did as well, their chins slowly tilting until their lips brushed.

Sensation coursed through him at the small touch and he drew back only to press his lips to hers again. Her lips were achingly soft and her breath sweet as it mingled with his.

Alex had never experienced the like, and something in that moment shifted. Everything he’d told himself he wanted fell to the wayside, the dreams of a wounded warrior. The touch of this woman’s lips, the feel of her hands clasping him tight—this was the home he craved. This right here was the passion and the joy, the laughter and the connection, the understanding and the partnership.

He tilted his head and deepened the kiss, staking his claim and reveling in the feel of her answering kiss as her lips clung to his, seeking more. With her it would always be more. She would challenge them both to strive harder, to