Her eyes alight with laughter, she said, “No, really, you don’t have to—”
“I shall only do this once in my life, Miss Hall,” he advised austerely. “So I mean to do it properly. Ahem. You know that you have had my heart since first we met—”
“Although I tried to shoot you.”
“I knew you wouldn’t keep your promise not to interrupt! I have rehearsed this, madam, but if you make me forget the words—No, why must you giggle? I am trying to be romantical, Miss Hall.”
“Yes, Colonel Adair.”
“Sssh! Where was I?”
“You said I wasn’t to inter——”
“Ah, yes. And the time has come when…” He faltered to a stop, and seizing her hand, pressed it to his lips. “Oh, the deuce! Cecily—I adore you. Will you do me the very great honour of—”
She leaned to him, her eyes like stars. “How you do talk, Colonel Adair.”
“Yes—but…” He got up and sat beside her. “That’s no answer, ma’am, and I can’t give you this until—”
“What? What?” With a squeal of excitement she opened the small box he held out. “Ooh … Hasty! What beautiful diamonds—and such a lovely setting! Put it on for me!”
“Are you sure? You mustn’t sell yourself for a pretty bauble, sweet girl.”
“Wretch! Only see how it sparkles!”
“Yes. I thought it was rather nice. But I’ve told you my expectations and you’ve lots of admirers who are wealthier than I shall ever be. If you cannot really care for me—”
Cecily interrupted him again.
Oddly enough, Colonel the Honourable Hastings Chatteris Adair did not protest as he was kissed into silence.
ALSO BY PATRICIA VERYAN
The Riddle of the Lost Lover
The Riddle of Alabaster Royal
Lanterns
The Mandarin of Mayfair
Never Doubt I Love
A Shadow’s Bliss
Ask Me No Questions
Had We Never Loved
Time’s Fool
Logic of the Heart
The Dedicated Villain
Cherished Enemy
Love Alters Not
Give All to Love
The Tyrant
Journey to Enchantment
Practice to Deceive
Sanguinet’s Crown
The Wagered Widow
The Noblest Frailty
Married Past Redemption
Feather Castles
Some Brief Folly
Nanette
Mistress of Willowvale
Love’s Duet
The Lord and the Gypsy
THE RIDDLE OF THE RELUCTANT RAKE. Copyright © 1999 by Patricia Veryan. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
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First Edition: November 1999
eISBN 9781466884304
First eBook edition: September 2014
The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake Page 32
