Page 116 of A Well-Trained Lady

Augustus grinned. “A man must do what he can to win a woman’s heart. Especially when that woman is the only one he has ever loved. The only one he ever will love.”

“But can such a man overlook all her flaws? Her failings? As numerous as they are and have been?”

He stepped closer and lifted a hand to my face, his fingers softly caressing my cheek and causing my breath to catch. “If she can trust him when he declares that he values every aspect of her. Each flaw. Each failing. All of it. And when she forgets it, he will tell her again.”

I lifted my hands to rest on his chest. Despite his calm demeanor, his heart pounded as readily as mine. “I suppose I shall allow for such declarations as long as it is not done to excess. You would not want your praise to become disingenuous.”

He laughed. “I shall try my best, but I make no promises.” His hand slid to the nape of my neck, and he leaned forward, placing a kiss upon my forehead. The warmth of his lips sent shocks through me. “You are kind.” His mouth grazed my skin until he placed a kiss upon my temple. “And smart.” My cheek. “Beautiful.”

His lips grazed my other cheek, and I closed my eyes. An energy surged through me, congregating wherever his lips touched. “Witty.” My other temple. “Strong.” The warmth of him waned, and I opened my eyes to find his gaze upon my mouth. “A remarkable kisser?”

I smiled. “Was that one a question?”

A side of his mouth quirked upward. “Discerning.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I pulled him toward me. His lips melted against mine, and it was as if, in that moment, we became one. The movements of our kiss, our hands, our very bodies were in sync with one another. His hands on my waist tightened and eased in rhythm to everything else. And though I had never experienced anything like the longing that coursed through me in this private moment of healing and passion, I yearned for more. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my back arching to draw us together until we could not be any closer, the whole of my body now flowing with energy from his warmth against me.

Our kiss slowed, and I moved my hand to his jaw to feel the deep, unhurried movements beneath it. My head spun from exhilaration, my hands and legs trembling from desire, when he finally pulled away. He rested his head on my forehead, our heavy breaths mingling between us.

“I am happy to report you are undeniably a remarkable kisser.”

I lifted my chin, placing a light kiss on his lips. “I will try not to be offended that it took you three separate occasions to make the determination.” I tsked my tongue. “It only took me one kiss to come to the realization myself.”

He laughed, his eyes full of so much love I thought I might weep from the sight of it. “On second thought, I recant my declaration altogether and will continue to gather evidence until I’m unequivocally certain of my opinion.”

I lifted an unimpressed brow.

“It will easily take a lifetime to make a sound judgment on the matter, and I intend to gather thorough evidence at every encounter.”

I released an overdone sigh. “I suppose if you must.”

His hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me toward him but stopping just before his lips touched mine. “Oh, I must.”

I closed my eyes, allowing his warmth to consume me again.

Epilogue

Ruth swished the lavender skirt of her ball gown. “I still cannot believe your parents took on the expense of my upcoming Season, Bella. It was so generous of them.”

“Considering the Court of Chancery is taking so long to return your inheritance, my parents were happy to oblige you.” Or at least Papa was, as he continued in what ways he could to amend his wrongs.

Ruth shook her hands at her sides before clasping them in front of her. “Oh, heavens. I am so nervous. What if I make a fool of myself in front of everyone?”

I stepped up behind her, placing my pearl necklace around her neck and fastening it in place. “You will do no such thing. You are a well-trained lady now.”

“Am I? I feel very much the same but with more things to fret about.”

I suppressed my amusement and glanced at Leah who stood watching us. “What say you, Leah? Is Ruth ready for her coming out?”

Leah smiled her assurance. “I’ve hardly met a finer lady.”

“Thank you, to the both of you.” Ruth appraised her lovely reflection in my full-length mirror. “I suppose it is hard to see the transformation in ourselves sometimes.” She smoothed her gown. “Do you think Mr. Treynor will notice the change in me? It has been four months now since his visit.”

“From what I know of Mr. Treynor, he will be eager to appreciate your every quality—both old and new.”

Ruth giggled. “I still cannot believe he came for my ball, especially considering I lost our bet two times over.”

“If I had to venture a guess, Mr. Treynor’s coming has little to do with the bet.”