Page 59 of To Dare the Devil

He took a deep breath. “I’ll never betray you, Kathy, I swear upon my life. I shall be a good husband—or at least I’ll try my best—but whatever stupid mistakes I make, that will never be one of them. I’ll be faithful. You need never doubt me.”

“I didn’t, and I won’t doubt you. So, ask me, Max. For heaven's sake!” she exclaimed, laughing now.

He laughed too then, and it was a joyous sound, filled with wonder and delight. “Kathleen, my love, would you do this flawed, dreadful mess of a man the very great honour of becoming my wife?”

Kathy gave a little shriek and climbed onto his lap. “Yes, Max! Yes, please.”

And she kissed him.

19th June 1842, Vane Hall, Chiswick, London.

Max hardly knew whether he was dreaming or if the warm weight of Kathleen’s body against his could possibly be real. It felt real, her soft mouth pressed against his so astonishing his entire body came alive with happiness, with longing for her.

“Kathy, stop,” he said, breaking the kiss with a gasp. “We must see your parents. I must ask your father’s permission. Do you think he’ll allow it?”

The terror that he might get this close to the miracle of marrying the woman he loved, only to have her parents refuse him, was like feeling the knife sinking into him again… except this time his heart was the target.

“I don’t think he’ll be thrilled. Not at first, but he’ll allow it. Eventually,” she added with a shrug.

“Eventually?” Max repeated, alarmed.

Kathy shifted on his lap, distracting him as her hip pressed against his burgeoning arousal. He was far too aware of the fact he wore only his small clothes beneath the sheet covering him, and his body was primed for bad behaviour. Which would not be happening, he reminded himself severely.

She sighed, pursing her lips, which did not help, as her lush mouth was crying out to be kissed. “We’ll have some persuading to do, though I suspect Hart will be the biggest problem. He’s very protective.”

“As he ought to be,” Max said, catching hold of Kathy’s questing hand as it coasted down over his chest. “As I must be,” he added firmly.

Kathy frowned. “Do you mean it, then? We will get married?”

“Of course I mean it!” he exclaimed, a little hurt that she would doubt him, though he could not blame her for it.

“Then stop being so silly,” she said, looking triumphant. “I want to touch you. Your skin is so warm, and so silky, too. I hadn’t realised that, but the hair here is all coarse and wiry. I want to explore.” With her free hand, she trailed her fingers through the hair on his chest. Max shivered with pleasure but caught hold of that hand, too.

“No,” he said, shaking his head, as much for his own benefit as hers. “I’m not doing this with you until our wedding night.”

She smiled up at him. “Not even a kiss,” she asked, eyes wide and beguiling. “It will be a very long engagement if you won’t even kiss me.”

“A special licence,” he murmured. “I’ll have one by the end of the week.”

“Promise?” she asked him.

Max nodded. He wasn’t about to wait any longer if he could help it. Though her father might have other ideas. That thought, he kept to himself. He shifted on the bed and winced as the movement tugged at the cut on his back.

“Oh!” Kathy jumped up, her expression mortified. “I’m such a selfish wretch. Does it hurt, Max? Come, lay back against the pillows. How awful of me! Did I make it worse?”

Max chuckled as she fussed about him, revelling in her attention as she arranged his pillows before he laid back and then tugged his covers into place. “No, love. You make everything better.”

“Will it hurt you if I lay down with you?” she asked, such a hopeful glint in her eyes Max did not like to refuse her, but for his own sanity it seemed best.

“No, but I think it best you don’t—”

She climbed onto the bed.

“Is this what married life will be like? With you ignoring my every command?” he said, mouth quirking.

Kathy snorted. “If you’re thinking to command me, yes,” she said frankly. “But if you want to discuss, debate, or negotiate, I’m quite biddable,” she added with a disarming smile.

“Little liar,” he murmured, staring at her in wonder. Surely, he could not be this fortunate after everything he’d done?