The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,73

look of sadness written on her face. "Then it all would have been for nothing."

Amity's words made Max's heart lurch in his chest. He wanted to reach out and hold her, soothing away the misery that was so evident. The blue of her eyes was dimmed, almost lifeless and it hurt him to see her so affected. He knew he mustn't rush his fences, but suddenly he felt hope and sat down beside her on the settee. He reached out and patted her hands, easing one into his own warm palm. He stared down at her fingers, quite bewitched by the softness of her skin.

"I must admit to a slight curiosity. You do not appear to be devastated by Bancroft's unwillingness to battle his sister for your favors," he said.

"I must confess, Max, that even before today I had some slight reservation as to how well we would deal together. I suspect if you had mentioned my project with the soldiers instead of my extravagant spending," - Here she narrowed her eyes at him and he had the grace to look shame-faced. - "Bancroft would have taken the opportunity to cry off that much sooner."

"I confess that was my next topic of conversation but for your sake I am glad it did not come to that. I can imagine the look on Ophelia's face at the mere mention of soldiers. If she is so condemning of animals, make no mistake, she would be convinced that soldiers returning from war would all carry fleas and be breeders of some dread foreign diseases." Max chuckled at the thought.

"It is no laughing matter," she said, although there was a suggestion of a grin in the set of her lips. She fought for control and looked at him with a wistful expression in her eyes. "I am very sorry, sir, but it does not appear that I will be marrying as soon as you hoped."

"Such a shame, poppet," he said. Moving slowly so as to not startle her, he pulled her into the circle of his arms, wanting nothing more than to comfort her. But her nearness was much too tempting and throwing caution to the wind, he bent his head and took possession of the inviting cherry lips.

A sigh of pure contentment escaped Amity as Max's lips touched hers. For a moment she accepted his embrace, welcoming the feeling of security that enveloped her body. She wished she could tell him how much she loved him but she knew that was impossible. Despair filled her and she became aware of the impropriety of her actions. She broke the contact and pushed him away.

"Please, Max," she whispered. "You mustn't do that."

"Whyever not?" he asked, keeping the tone of his voice neutral. "Don't you like it when I kiss you?"

"Yes, but it is not fitting," was the prim response.

"Between friends it would be suitable to share a kiss. As we did once before," he prodded, unsure whether he was going too fast. She had not seemed disgusted by his kiss but she had not given him any encouragement either.

"That should not have happened, Max," Amity said, blushing in remembrance of his kiss in the river. She dropped her eyes and stared at the pattern of the carpet. "I did not wish to mention it at the time but it was most improper of me to accept your embrace. After all you will be offering for Honoria and I cannot think that she would approve of your actions."

Amity's words were spoken so softly that Max had to bend his head to catch all of them. A wave of flowery scent wafted up to him, surrounding him in a magical spell as he inhaled the girl's fragrance. He had to clear the dryness from his throat before he was able to answer her.

"Perhaps you are right. However I see little need to concern ourselves about her approval," he said, taking her hand once more.

"How so?" Amity asked, raising her head in confusion.

"I fear that I will not be offering for Miss Waterston," he said. If he had not been holding her hand, Max might have missed the slight tremor that passed through her body. His own heartbeat increased to a terrifying rate and his eyes took on a luminous sheen as he stared at her exquisite face.

Amity could barely speak for the pounding of her heart at his words. She did not know what this rejection of Honoria portended yet a thrill of excitement pulsed through her