Page 83 of The Bridal Quest

She caught Francesca looking at them speculatively once or twice during the meal, and she knew that her friend was not the only one. Gideon's uncle, too, cast more than one glance their way.

After the repast, several people were eager to return to the caves—primarily the duke's scientific friend, who had scarcely paid attention to the delicious food, so intent was he on going over the delights of the cave with Rochford.

Both the Salisbridge girls decided to relax by the river for a while instead of returning to the dark and damp of the caves, which meant that Francesca and Mr. Surton were freed from sitting with Miss Hurley and were able to join the cave party. They all strolled back inside, more at ease this time with the eerie dark interior.

Irene and Gideon chatted and walked about, straying from the tight-knit group. She felt him slip his hand around hers, and she turned toward him, surprised. He inclined his head to the side, then picked up his lantern and led her farther away from the others. She followed him quietly, and, after a last quick glance around, they slipped into one of the other tunnels.

She covered her mouth to suppress a giggle and concentrated on walking quietly, just as eager as he was to escape the crowd. Finally he deemed them to be far enough away, and he turned, pulling her close to him and kissing her.

"I have been wanting to do that all day," he confided, setting down his lantern on the ground so that he could wrap his other arm around her, too.

"Will you think me very bold if I tell you that I wanted it, too?" she asked, looking up at him flirtatiously.

"I will, indeed, and I thank heaven for it," he replied with a smile, and kissed her again, lightly, on the lips.

Then he laid his cheek atop her head, and they stood that way, simply holding each other for a long moment. He nuzzled her hair and murmured in her ear, "Perhaps we could find a secluded little offshoot and ...

Irene giggled, feeling a trifle giddy. "Stop. You will have me sounding like Miss Surton."

"God forbid," Gideon replied in a heartfelt tone. He raised his head and gazed down at her, then took her lips again in a long, deep kiss.

With a sigh, he released her, and, picking up the lantern, they began to stroll through the tunnel, hands clasped, as aware of each other as they were of the cave around them.

"I told my grandmother and Aunt Odelia that you have accepted my proposal," he told her. "They were, needless to say, delighted."

"I am sure that Teresa will be much less so," Irene remarked drily.

He shrugged. "Fortunately she has nothing to say in the matter. Will you mind having her living at the Park? She could move to another house if she makes you uncomfortable."

"Oh, I shall be able to tolerate her," Irene replied easily. "I would not want to uproot Timothy. After all, he is your family, and you are fond of him, I know."

"I am." He smiled at her. "But I am fonder of you."

"That is good to know. I am sure that I shall put that to the test sooner or later," she went on lightly. "I have been told that I am not an easy person to live with."

"You?" He looked at her in mock amazement, eyes dancing. "Who would dare say such a thing?"

She cast him a speaking glance, and he leaned down to kiss her lightly on the mouth, following it with quick kisses to her eyes and cheeks and chin.

"I like you just as you are," he told her. "An easy person to live with would doubtless drive me mad in two weeks."

"Then I shall do my best to keep you sane," she bantered. In a more serious tone, she went on. "Gideon ... there is one thing I would ask of you."

He glanced at her, a little surprised by her tone. "What?"

"I would like my mother to live here, too. She is not happy living with my sister-in-law. She does not say it, but I know it is true, and—"

"Of course," he interrupted her, releasing her hand to put his arm around her shoulders and pull her close. "I assumed that she would live with us. You do not even need to ask."

"Thank you." She smiled up at him.

"I would give you much more than that to have you look at me in that way," he told her, bending down to kiss her again. His hand slid down her back and curved over her buttocks, pressing her against him.

A fiery tongue of desire licked down through her torso, and she trembled, her hands going up to his chest and digging into his shirt. She wondered, with a little thrill of excitement, what it would be like if he did pull her into some secluded part of the cave.

Their kiss deepened, and he set the lantern down with a clank as he linked his arms around her, pulling her up and into his body, lifting her from her feet. His mouth trailed down her neck and nuzzled into the dark crevice between her breasts, and his breath rasped in his throat.

With a groan, he set her down and took a half step back, sucking in a lungful of air. His eyes burned into her, glittering with passion.