Page 59 of A Match of Misfortune

He leaned in, resting his hand on the pillar above her. “How badly I want it back.”

Her stomach swooped, well aware of precisely what he implied. She would not have it. She had been here before, but she was stronger now. More capable of discernment. Nash Markham was a flirt, plain and simple. She didn’t doubt he wanted to kiss her, but she knew a kiss would mean little to him. In truth, it likely did not matter if it was Cecily or another young lady standing here. The thought rallied her. “You may have forgotten, being away so long, but it does rain here all the time. I cannot think the cat had anything to do with it.”

“You don’t find the timing odd in the least?”

Cecily hoped he couldn’t see the truth of it in her eyes. “Not exceptionally so.”

“Despite the sound logic you gave earlier, it seems only fair that we make another attempt to switch it back.”

Cecily’s stomach fluttered. “I can’t help but think you have a secondary motive for making the request.”

Nash only smiled, confirming her claim.

Cecily forced her gaze downward in an effort to maintain control of herself. She could not allow her resolve to weaken. She needed to show Nash she was not that same naive girl from all those years ago. And she needed to prove it to herself. “Must it be a kiss on the hand?”

He narrowed his eyes slightly, as though attempting to determine if she were in earnest. “I can’t think the specifics of the kiss matter … only that one occurs.”

“Would a kiss on the cheek suffice?” She tilted her head back, resting it on the column. “Or to make certain it works, perhaps a kiss on the lips is preferable?”

Nash’s gaze dropped to her mouth with such longing, Cecily nearly laughed aloud. Was this what it felt like to be a shameless flirt? She could see why Nash enjoyed it so much.

“I’m not entirely certain. But I would not be opposed to making a few attempts if you are agreeable.”

Cecily smiled, unable to hide her delight any longer. “It would make sense to be as thorough as possible.”

His gaze flicked to her lips again, a slight smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Undoubtedly.”

“Very well.” Cecily lifted her hand to his cheek, the warmth of his skin sending a shiver through her body. Focusing on his reaction instead of the mad frenzy going on inside of her, she held his gaze. “My luck is yours to have,” she whispered, resting her other hand on his chest as she rose up slightly on her toes. “All of it.”

His chest was rising and falling beneath his saturated clothing, and he closed his eyes as his face dipped toward hers. For the briefest of moments, she wanted nothing more than to actually touch her lips to his, to feel the heat of them against hers. Instead, she dropped back onto her feet and lowered her hand from his face, holding the other more firmly against him to halt his approach.

He swayed backward and his eyes fluttered open.

“On second thought,” she said with an overdone frown, “we should probably get you inside. With how wet you are, I would hate for you to take ill from the cold.”

There was a mixture of disappointment and amusement battling for dominance in his expression. Amusement won out. “How long have you been waiting for that opportunity?”

Cecily tried to repress her smile as she ducked beneath his arm and stepped around him to reach the door. “I have no notion what you’re talking about.”

Nash chuckled, pressing off of the column and following her inside. “I can’t believe I fell for it. You tricky little minx.”

She stopped just past the threshold and gave a small curtsy, as though he’d offered her a great compliment. “I learned from one of England’s most distinguished flirts.”

His booming laughter echoed through the dining room. Then he took a step closer, closing the door behind him and hovering just inches from her. “Clearly you’ve surpassed me.”

Cecily cocked her head back to better meet his gaze. “Are you certain it was you I was speaking of?”

“Is that an attempt to make me jealous?” His eyes narrowed, then a smile touched his lips. “Because if so, it’s working.”

Cecily smiled triumphantly.

“I thought I heard voices.” Mrs. Markham stepped into the dining room, then paused, glancing between Nash and Cecily with a look of confusion. It was likely due to their current state—soaked through and dripping. Though it could also be how close they stood to one another. Since Nash did not seem concerned by their proximity, Cecily withdrew a step from him.

“The axle on the Rothsburgs’ carriage broke,” Nash offered before his mother asked. “Miss Bradshaw and I had to make our way home on foot.”

Mrs. Markham’s brow puckered at the center. “Heavens! Was anyone hurt?”

“No. It was only the two of us inside at the time.”