Page 55 of Eight for Losing, One for Loving

“Devil take you, Vi!” Leo said in consternation. He gave her a little shake. “I’ve got no children. Good Lord, woman, the things you say.”

“Oh, thank heavens,” she said, letting out a breath.

“I thought you said it would make no difference,” he remarked dryly.

“Well, it wouldn’t, but I cannot pretend I liked the idea.”

Leo shook his head and laughed. “Fair,” he agreed, pulling her more firmly against him. “Any other questions?”

She hesitated for a moment before she spoke again. “I won’t share you with a mistress, so if you still have one—”

“You’re very hard on a fellow’s self-esteem, love. I broke things off before I began courting you, and I will never put you in such a position. Next?”

She gave a sigh and shook her head. “That’s all.”

Leo snorted, gazing down at her.

“What did you wish to tell me, then? It isn’t anything dreadful, is it?” she asked nervously.

It was the hardest thing to keep his face grave, but he returned a soulful expression, saying regretfully, “Well, it is rather dreadful, I’m afraid.”

“Oh, dear,” she said, before taking a deep breath. “Go on then, I’m ready.”

“I am afraid,” he said, bending to whisper the words in her ear. “I am afraid, Miss Spencer, you will not be a virgin on your wedding night.”

“I-I won’t?” she stammered, and it was almost impossible to keep his countenance when he saw the delight in her eyes. Struggling not to laugh, he shook his head.

“You have got yourself entangled with a rather desperate fellow, you poor little innocent, and I fully intend to debauch you and take your virtue. You will be quite thoroughly ruined by morning.”

“I w-will?” she stammered, sounding quite breathless now.

“You will,” he agreed solemnly.

“Oh, Leo!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. “How wonderful. Thank you!”

Leo burst out laughing, hugging her tightly. “Wicked, wicked girl. I always knew it. The quiet ones are the worst,” he told her confidentially.

“Are they?” she asked, gazing up at him with such love and trust in her eyes it was no longer difficult to pretend to be serious.

“And the very best,” he whispered, and lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her softly. He cradled her cheek, stroking the silken skin with his thumb as she melted into his embrace. “Vi,” he whispered.

“Yes?” she managed, in between his kisses.

But there was nothing to say, nothing to tell her that couldn’t be spoken with the press of his lips to hers. The kiss went on, lingering, tender, an expression of love and hope for the future and of the promises he would keep.

The inevitable knock at the door sounded.

“Oh, drat the woman,” Vi said crossly.

Leo chuckled and gave her one last kiss. “Don’t worry, Vi. Nothing will interrupt us once dinner is out of the way.”

“Well, hurry up and let them in, then,” she said, giving him a little push.

Leo grinned at her and did as she suggested. “Yes, ma’am,” he said, as eager as she was for the meal to be over.

Dinner was an exercise in torture, as far as Vi was concerned. Beside herself with a combination of excitement and anxiety, she ate little and tasted less. Leo seemed equally distracted, his gaze drifting to her mouth on several occasions and remaining there. When she had licked a small drop of cream from the corner of her lips, the look in his eyes had been both wonderful and daunting. She could not help but wonder what she had got herself into. Well, she’d find out soon enough now.

Though it was exactly what she had wanted, she still could not quite believe he would make love to her before they were wed, and half expected him to prevaricate and change his mind. If he did, she was going to kill him, she decided.