The husky words made Portia's legs go weak, and had Connor not been holding her so possessively, she would have collapsed at his feet. "You . . . you love me?" she echoed, her eyes wide as she studied his face. "Are you certain?"
"Of course I am certain," he replied with a husky laugh, the joy and disbelief in her voice telling him all that he needed to know. Not that he was satisfied, of course. He gave her another kiss, his tongue briefly tasting her sweetness before he raised his head again.
"And now don't you think it is time you told me you loved me?" he asked, his hands disposing of her fichu so that he could stroke the creamy flesh revealed by the gown's neckline.
She sighed under his daring touch, surrendering the last of her fears and doubts. "I do love you," she agreed, and then spoiled her act of sweet submission by adding, "Although heaven knows why. You are a beast, you know."
He grinned, barely able to recall the time when similar words had caused him pain. "So I am," he drawled, "and you are the furthest thing from a lady I have yet to encounter. Can you think of two people who deserve each other more?"
Portia thought about that for a moment, and then gave a low laugh. "No, I cannot," she said, linking her arms around his neck as she smiled up at him. "Now stop chattering like a foolish schoolboy and tell me what the devil you meant by kissing Lady Duxford this afternoon. If you think I'll tolerate such behavior once we are married, you may think again."
Connor laughed at her threat, bending to kiss her sulky mouth. He explained his need to put his childish infatuation with Olivia behind him once and for all, and he was not in the least surprised that she understood at once.
"I only wish I might have made a similar peace with my father," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder, her eyes misting as she thought of the past. "He was always berating me for my lack of ladylike qualities, but I think perhaps he would be proud of me now."
"I am sure he was always proud of you," Connor said. "I think it is the way with parents and children to squabble. Besides—" He slipped his hand beneath her chin and raised her face to his "—had you been a lady, you would never have hit me over the head with a bed warmer, and then we might never have found ourselves standing out here."
"That is so." Portia was delighted to think he approved of her hoydenish ways. She gave him another grin, but when he would have kissed her she drew her head back with a jerk.
"Just let that be a warning to you," she cautioned with a scowl. "Chase another pretty blonde into a bedchamber, and I'll do more than dent a bed warmer over your hard head. I trust I have made myself clear?"
"Quite clear, love," Connor said solemnly, then tried to gather her close. Her side skirts interfered, and he gave them an angry scowl. "Now I know why the damned things went out of style," he said. "The gentlemen of my grandfather's time wouldn't have tolerated such nonsense."
They continued kissing and making plans for their life together when the countess interrupted them. "If you have quite finished causing the scandal of the Season, do you think you might return to the ballroom to announce your engagement?" she asked in a sour tone, her eyes shining with satisfaction as she took in their mussed condition. "And kindly straighten your clothing; I'll not have people counting on their fingers when your son makes his appearance."
Both Connor and Portia blushed at such frank talk, but quickly followed her instructions. They were almost to the ballroom when Connor suddenly chuckled and pulled Portia to a halt.
"What is it?" she asked, gazing up into his face, her heart so filled with love it was a wonder it did not burst.
"I have just been thinking about your remark about costumes," he said, nodding at his mother's retreating back. "Do you not see how Mother is dressed?"
"Like a Grecian lady, I suppose," she said, unable to see his point. "But I—"
"Like the Oracle at Delphi," he corrected, laughing as he finally understood the way his mother had neatly been managing him. "All-knowing, and all-seeing, and very, very clever. Don't you see, my love? The wise old witch has outsmarted us all."
"And you do not mind?" Portia asked, thinking of the countess's cruel deception.
"So long as I have you, no." He bent and pressed a kiss to her mouth. "Although I do mean to have a word with her about the rig she has been running for this past year. That damned Bath chair cost a fortune."
Portia gave him a startled look, and then abruptly she too was laughing. They were still laughing when they entered the ballroom, much to the astonishment of those present. The Beast and the hoyden, it would be whispered for several generations to come, had tamed each other.
About the Author
A winner of The Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award for Best Regency for her very first novel, Joan Overfield has written 23 Regency Historical Romances. In addition, she has also written two time travel romances: the ground-breaking THE DOOR AJAR and its sequel, TIME'S TAPESTRY. In 2000 Romantic Times Magazine voted THE DOOR AJAR one of the top 100 Romances of all time. Joan has made several bestsellers lists and won numerous awards for her work, including A Career Achievement Award in Regency Romance from Romantic Times magazine.
A life-long Anglophile, Joan uses her degrees in History and English to conduct research in the fascinating and colorful Regency period and has compiled an impressive library. She has also taught numerous workshops on the period and the craft of writing, is a member of the Beau Monde writers group, and is currently working on her newest novel.
"Ms. Overfield's sense of romance is deliciously unerring." -- -- Romantic Times
A Proper Taming Page 19
