“I haven’t said yes yet, you know.”

Emma scowled.

“But I will, I suppose, if given the proper encouragement.”

“And what would that be, your grace?”

Alex looked heavenward in mock innocence. “Oh, I don’t know. A kiss would do rather well to start with.”

Emma leaned forward, propping her hands on the arms of his chair. “You’re going to have to cooperate,” she murmured, feeling extraordinarily daring now that he had accepted her proposal.

Alex leaned down, his hands covering hers. “By all means.”

He stopped suddenly, his mouth achingly close to hers. “Oh, Alex,” Emma sighed, lifting her lips that last half an inch. Ever so gently, she brushed her mouth against his, marveling in the thought that this was the very first kiss she’d initiated and thinking that it must be the sweetest of all for that very reason.

“I’m so very glad I thought to close the door,” Alex said, smiling as he nuzzled her neck. “Although…” His words trailed off as he reluctantly turned his head away from Emma and twisted his neck until he was facing the parlor door. “Smithers!” he yelled abruptly. “Get your ear away from that door! You’ve heard everything you wanted to hear! Now be gone with you!”

“Right away, sir,” was the muffled reply.

Emma could not help but laugh as she heard footsteps disappear down the hall and up the stairs.

“He’s been trying to get me to settle down for years,” Alex explained. “Now where were we?”

She smiled seductively. “I think we were about to move over to the sofa.”

Alex groaned. He hoped Emma had no plans for a long engagement. He rose from his chair, pulled her to her feet and then off her feet, only to set her down on the sofa. “Oh, darling,” he murmured as he sat beside her. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“You just saw me three days ago.”

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you.”

“I missed you, too,” Emma said shyly. “When I wasn’t working myself into a frenzy of nerves about coming here today.”

“I’m most happy you did.” Alex brushed his lips against hers again, this time deepening the kiss with his tongue, running it along the smooth line of her teeth. When she let out a soft sigh, he took advantage of the moment, pressing in further, drinking her in, tasting her sweetness.

“I’m so glad marriage lasts a lifetime,” Emma said softly against his lips. “Because I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of your kisses.” She drew slightly away from him, placing her hand on his cheek. “You make me feel so beautiful.”

“You are beautiful.”

“It is very kind of you to say so, but red hair is hopelessly out of fashion, and besides, it would be impossible for anyone to look as lovely as I feel right this moment.”

Alex gazed tenderly down at her face. Her clear, fine skin was flushed rosy pink with desire, and her eyes were wide and sparkling, framed by the longest lashes he’d ever seen. And her lips, oh Lord, they had never looked quite so pink before, nor so full. “Then you must feel very lovely, Emma. Because I’ve never seen anything in my life as exquisite as you are right now.”

Emma felt a warm glow take over her body. “Oh, Alex, please kiss me again.”

“Gladly, my love.” Placing his hands on her cheeks, he pulled her face to his. Emma offered no resistance at all, and his tongue immediately dipped into her mouth, stroking her soft flesh. Emma shyly followed suit, curiously exploring him in the same manner.

Alex thought that her hesitant caresses would be the death of him, he was so eager for more. He pulled her to him passionately, pressing her body intimately against his own, his hands roving uncontrollably.

Emma moaned with pleasure, barely able to believe the shivering tremors of joy that shot through her body. And then just when she thought she could take no more, Alex placed his hand on her breast, squeezing it ever so slightly. It felt like a fire had burned right through the fabric of her dress, searing her skin, branding her as his future wife. She was slowly losing control; all she could think about was getting as close to him as possible, touching him everywhere.

Just as Emma hovered at the brink of losing herself completely, Alex pulled himself away reluctantly, very reluctantly. “Darling,” he said, summoning chivalry he’d never dreamed existed, “I’m going to stop now, before we get to the point when I cannot. Do you understand?”

She nodded tremulously.

“I want our wedding night to be perfect. At that moment, you will belong to me in every way.”

“And you will belong to me,” Emma said softly.

He dropped a gentle kiss on her lips. “Yes, I will. It will be the most beautiful moment of our lives, I promise you that, and I don’t want to spoil it in any way. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I would like to put my arms around you and hold you for a few moments before I’m forced to send you back home.”

Emma nodded again, unable to find words to express the emotions coursing through her. She had never dreamed it was possible for a woman to feel as utterly full of joy as she did right then. Dimly she realized that he hadn’t yet said that he loved her, but then, neither had she, and that didn’t diminish her feelings for him in any way. Besides, she could sense his love, feel it, almost touch it. Over the past few months she had come to know Alex quite well. He couldn’t hold her like this if he didn’t love her at least a little bit. And in time, she knew he would say the words. Perhaps she’d even work up the courage to tell him first. How difficult could that be? She’d already asked him to marry her. Nothing could be scarier than that, and she had come through it just fine. But she’d have to put off talk of love. For now, she was content just to rest in his arms. She’d found a home there.