did what they felt was right. When her three Seasons failed to bring a suitor to scratch, Father arranged for her to marry. He did not understand that Mother had been screening and vetoing potential suitors from the dancefloor, ultimately forcing Agatha to hide among the wallflowers.
“I returned,” he revealed. “When my assignment ended, I came back, but you had married. I resumed my army career until I was injured fighting Napoleon at Rolica and was sent home. My family’s farm was barely managing and had been inherited by my older brother. There was nothing for me there. I turned to service . . .”
“And my husband hired you,” she finished.
“When I realized he was your husband, I had planned to resign, but the earl died and you seemed to need me here,” he continued.
Thomas had been right about everything. “I have always wished I had danced that second time with you. Mother insisted I aim higher and watched each dance as if it were a transaction. I should have followed my own counsel. I have often regretted that,” she lamented.
He reached over and covered her hand with his. Awareness pulsed through her. She dared not move her hand, lest the feeling leave. She wanted more.
“I saw her,” he said. His voice was low but held no hint of condemnation. “I saw your mother signal you before I could ask for a second dance. I had not understood.”
“Yet, you are here now,” she murmured. Her mother had used her fan to signal her. “She was only trying to help me,” she said, unusually defensive of her mother. “I never saw you again after that night, and now I understand. I realize now that she was doing what she felt was best for me, even if it did not turn out to be.”
Hope mingled with memory. She had danced little. There had been a few young men; however, her mind could not conjure the image of another. He had been here, with her, all this time, while others had abandoned her. No, she corrected herself. They left because I was mean and selfish. Agatha felt him squeeze her hand and looked down.
“May I kiss you, Agatha?” he ventured.
She could only nod, while her eyes misted.
Charles moved next to her, not once releasing her hand. The masculine scent of bergamot and sandalwood thrilled her senses. She had never noticed his fragrance. He tilted her chin up with his finger and gently brushed his lips over hers, before he leaned in and covered them more forcefully. He teased her mouth with his tongue, beckoning it to open for him. When she did, his tongue possessed her mouth, delighting her as their tongues parried and touched. A small moan escaped her, and her hands moved to his neck, twining her fingers in his hair. Charles pulled her closer, and she felt his breath on her neck. Their heartbeats seemed to beat a single staccato. Every fiber in her being tingled with anticipation. It was a quick magical moment she wished could have lasted forever.
The familiar sound and feel of gravel beneath the carriage forced her back to reality and reminded her they were home. Agatha attempted to pull away, hating the need, but his arm tightened around her.
Wishing with all her heart she could stay in his arms, she gently broke free, feeling obliged to reinsert decorum. Both sat there, with chests heaving. “We are almost there,” she said breathlessly, as she repaired her hair. She had just experienced her first tempestuous moment in the carriage and loved it. Had she had proper wits about her, she would have ordered the footman to circle the grounds an hour longer!
“Agatha,” he rasped, trying to catch his breath. “I have always carried you in my heart, and now I know it was right.” He fumbled in his pocket and withdrew a locket. Opening it, he showed her a small carving. “For me, it had been love at first sight.”
She stared at the carving, recognized it as her likeness. Emotion welled up and a tear escaped the corner of her eye.
“It was from a drawing I made from memory. An artisan in a marketplace crafted it for me.”
“You draw?”
He nodded.
“It is beautiful,” she whispered.
“It would mean a lot if you would keep it. I brought it home when I returned from Ireland, but when I found out you were married, I kept it. It has always reminded me of our dance.”
Astonished, she held out her gloved hand,