Emma paused, grudgingly admitting to herself that she’d most definitely enjoyed Alex’s kiss.

“All right, so I liked it,” she grumbled. “But where does this leave me now? I’m prowling around like a burglar, hoping to find a side door that may or may not even exist. My slippers are getting wet, I’ve probably torn the hem of my dress on a rosebush, and he doesn’t even have the least inclination to marry me.”

Emma froze. Dear Lord, what had she just said? Thank goodness she had only been conversing with herself. Emma shivered and pursed her lips.

“Banish that thought, Emma Elizabeth Dunster,” she commanded, edging around the corner to the back of the mansion. She didn’t really want to marry Alex, did she? It was impossible. She’d always meant to go back to Boston and take over her father’s company. When she got married, it would be to some nice American fellow who would be happy to run the company with her.

But what if she never found that nice American fellow? And was he really worth finding when she had a rather amazing British one right here, right now?

Emma sighed as the memory of Alex and their few stolen moments flooded her mind. It was time to be reasonable, she decided. Were there really any good reasons why she should even consider the idea of marrying Alexander Edward Ridgley, the oh-so-lofty Duke of Ashbourne?

Well, for one thing, he was a superb kisser.

Besides that!

All right then, he never talked down to her. So many men of the ton talked to women as if they were some lower species whose brains hadn’t developed fully. Alex always treated her as if she were every bit as intelligent as he was.

Which she was, Emma silently declared with a nod of her head.

Also, she felt very comfortable in his presence. When they were together, she never felt as if she had to hide her true personality under a sheer layer of artifice and illusion. He seemed to like her just the way she was.

Furthermore, he had a delicious sense of humor which was remarkably similar to her own. He certainly liked to tease her mercilessly, but he was never malicious, and he could take a joke as well as he could deliver one. Life with Alex certainly would not be dull, she could count on that.

And, of course, he was a superb kisser.

Emma groaned as she practically fell through the side door. She was going to have to give this matter a little more thought.

Meanwhile, Alex had slipped back into the ballroom by way of the French doors and was doing his best to mingle graciously with a bunch of people in whom he did not usually have very much interest. But he was eager to appear cool and calm in case anyone had happened to notice his and Emma’s rather hasty excursion into the garden.

He had just finished telling Lord Acton, a friend of his from White’s, about a stallion he had recently purchased, when he spied Sophie and his mother across the ballroom.

“Excuse me,” he said smoothly. “I see that my mother and sister have arrived. I really must go greet them.” Alex gave his friend a nod and made his way through the crowd to his family.

Eugenia Ridgely, the dowager Duchess of Ashbourne, was not an imposing figure. Indeed, she couldn’t have been an imposing figure if she tried. Her green eyes sparkled warmly, and her lips always seemed to form a vibrant smile. Accompanying this friendly demeanor was a dry sense of humor which had made her one of the most well loved members of the ton for years. She’d been born the daughter of an earl and been exalted to the rank of duchess when she married Alex’s and Sophie’s father, but she had never developed the snobbery that was so rampant among most of society. Her eyes lit up as she saw her son crossing the ballroom in her direction.

“Hello, Mother,” Alex said fondly, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.

“Ah, Alex,” Eugenia said dryly. “What a pleasure it is to attend a function and actually see you in person.” She held out her cheek, dutifully waiting for his kiss.

It was easy to see where Alex had gotten his caustic tongue.

“Always a pleasure, Mother.”

“I know it is, dear. Now where is that darling girl who has pulled you out of hiding?” She craned her neck, looking for Emma’s familiar red hair.

“Actually, I haven’t seen her since I danced with her a half an hour ago.”

“I saw her go out into the garden,” Sophie said pointedly.

Alex shot her a dirty look. “I thought you were planning to retire from society.”

Sophie beamed, smoothing her hands along her still-svelte figure. “Four months along, and I’m not showing yet. Isn’t that lucky?”

“For you, perhaps. As for myself, I’m breathless in anticipation for the day you balloon to the size of a small heifer.”

“You beast!” Sophie stomped on his foot.

Alex smiled wickedly. “Ah, my sweet bovine sister.”

“Well, it is a pity that Emma isn’t here,” Eugenia said, pointedly ignoring her children’s squabble. “I do so enjoy her company. When did you say you were going to ask her to marry you, Alex?”

“I didn’t.”

“Hmmm, I could have sworn you mentioned something to me about it.”

“That would have been my evil twin brother,” Alex said flatly.

Eugenia chose to ignore his sarcasm. “Really, dear, you are simply an idiot if you let her get away.”

“So you’ve mentioned.”

“I’m still your mother, you know.”

“Believe me, I know.”

“You should listen to me. I know what is best for you.”

Alex cracked a smile. “I believe that you believe you know what’s best for me.”