Whirlwind Wedding

expressive golden-brown depths awed him. He searched his memory and realized that no one had ever looked at him that way before. Heat pumped through him and his body pulsed to life.

A hesitant smile trembled on her lips. 'I would relent and marry you.'

An incredible wave of what could only be described as relief swept through him. 'Is that a yes?'

'Yes.'

Thank God. The thought hit him with the force of a fist to his head. Refusing to examine it, he instead gathered her in his arms. His mouth descended and claimed hers in a searing kiss that left them both breathless. His lips caressed her hungrily, his tongue slipping into the velvety warmth of her mouth. Moaning softly, she pressed herself against him and returned his kiss with a fervor that all but shattered his powers of restraint. God. I cannot wait until this woman is mine.

Her name whispered past his lips and he sifted his fingers through her silky hair while his mouth ravished hers, his tongue dipping and plunging, tasting her sweet warmth, until he ached beyond reason. Bloody hell, he wanted her. Now. Wanted her under him, over him, wrapped around him-

'Am I interrupting?' an amused voice asked from the doorway.

Austin stilled and smothered a heartfelt curse. Damn it all, Robert had been away from home for two months. Surely his younger brother could have remained away for another two minutes.

Lifting his head Austin stared at Elizabeth's stricken, beet-red face. And her kiss-swollen lips. Robert was going to pay for this interruption. Very dearly.

Elizabeth tried to wriggle from his embrace, but he tightened his arms around her. 'It's all right,' he whispered. 'It's only my brother.' Keeping one arm firmly wrapped around her waist, he turned and shot Robert a murderous look. 'I suppose while you were frolicking on the Continent, you forgot what a closed door means.'

'Not at all,' Robert replied his gaze settling on Elizabeth with avid curiosity. 'I knocked. Several times, in fact. You were apparently too, um… busy to hear me. I was about to return to the drawing room when I heard an unmistakable moan from within. Naturally I was concerned for your safety, so I entered.' A devilish grin curved his lips. 'Clearly there was no cause for alarm.' He cleared his throat. 'So, are you going to introduce me to this lovely young lady?'

Austin wanted to introduce him to the privet hedges. Head first. Sanity prevailed however. 'Elizabeth, may I present my brother Robert, a young man not noted for his tact or timing. Robert, this is Miss Elizabeth Matthews… my fiancee.'

'Pleased to meet-' Robert's words ended as if they'd been sliced off with a knife. His brows shot upward. 'Did you say fiancee? As in betrothed? As in marriage?'

Austin's simmering annoyance was tempered considerably by the comically dumbfounded look on Robert's face. 'Your command of the language and powers of deduction have always been a great source of pride to the entire family, Robert.'

Without a word Robert crossed the carpet and dropped to one knee in front of Elizabeth. Clasping both hands over his heart, he said 'My dear lady. It is indeed an honor to meet you. And you shall forever have my undying gratitude for removing my brother from the marriage market. Now perhaps some other poor, unfortunate, untitled bloke, namely myself, will stand a chance to capture a beautiful woman's eye. I don't suppose there's another like you at home? A sister perhaps? Aunt? Cousin? Grandmama?'

With hellfires scorching her cheeks, Elizabeth looked down at the young man kneeling before her. Teasing dark blue eyes gazed back up at her from a face that bore a marked resemblance to Austin's. But where Austin's countenance was firm, guarded and serious, his younger brother's was softer, open, and smiling. In spite of her stinging embarrassment, she couldn't help but return his infectious grin.

'A pleasure to meet you, Lord Robert,' she said performing an awkward curtsy made all the more difficult by Austin's unmoving arm wrapped around her waist.

He rose to his feet and made her a bow. 'You must call me Robert. And the pleasure is all mine.' Turning to Austin, he extended his hand. 'Congratulations, Brother. I wish you much happiness.'

Austin's grip around her waist relaxed. He shook Robert's hand. 'Thank you, Robert. And as long as you are here, so unexpectedly, I'll take this opportunity to ask you to serve as my best man.'

'Delighted to do so.' Robert sent her a twinkling smile. 'I've always known I was the best man. It's just gratifying to hear Austin finally admit it. Did you say you had a sister?'

Amused, she said 'I'm afraid I don't.'

'Just my luck.' Shaking his head in a woebegone fashion, he crossed the room and poured a brandy. 'When is the wedding?'

Elizabeth was about to reply that she didn't know when Austin spoke.

'The day after tomorrow.'

Her jaw dropped open and she forcibly snapped it shut. 'The day after tomorrow? '

Robert sent Austin an arch look. 'Your bride-to-be seems a bit, er, surprised by the news. I don't know much about these things, but I believe it is customary to let the lady know when the nuptials will take place.'

'I was about to discuss it with her when you barged in.'

Mischief sparkled in Robert's eyes. 'Really? Is that what you were about to do? It looked more like-'

'Robert.' There was no mistaking the ice in that single word.

Robert set down his brandy snifter, then held up his hands. 'Say no more. As much as I know you're perishing for me to stay and regale you with tales of my adventures abroad I really must be off. I've barely spoken to Mother since I arrived an hour ago and I promised to meet her in the drawing room before dinner.'

'I haven't announced the engagement yet, Robert.'

'My lips are sealed.' Crossing the room, he took Elizabeth's hand and pressed a kiss to her fingers. An image flashed through her mind and for an instant it was as if she'd looked into his soul. 'I look forward to seeing you at dinner,' he said his eyes filled with friendly warmth.

'Thank you.'

He walked to the door with an easy, unhurried grace, much in contrast to Austin's purposeful strides. Before closing the door behind him, he sent her a broad wink that warmed her cheeks.

She waited for Austin to speak, but he simply stared at the closed door with enough heat to burn a hole through the wood. Finally she said 'Your brother is very entertaining.'

'He's a cursed pest.'

'He loves you.'

'He-' Austin turned and stared at her. 'I beg your pardon?'

'He loves you. He's all but bursting with curiosity and concern about your decision to marry me.'

'Concern? What makes you say that?'

He touched me. I felt it. 'In spite of his teasing, it is obvious he's concerned that you're making the right decision. It was quite illuminating to watch the two of you together. I wonder if you realize how much you're alike.'

Her words clearly surprised him. 'Alike? Robert and I are nothing alike.'

Oh, but you are. Inside. In your souls. Where it counts. Instead of arguing, she inclined her head. 'Perhaps you're correct. After all, you are a serious man, and Robert is quite buoyant.'

'I'm not certain buoyant is the word I'd use to describe him at the moment, but no matter. We've other things to discuss.'

'Yes, we do. Austin, what on earth did you mean when you said the wedding would take place the day after tomorrow?'

'Just that. I spent most of the day contacting my solicitors and procuring a special license, which I shall have tomorrow afternoon. I suppose we could schedule the ceremony for tomorrow evening, but I thought you might want the extra day to make the necessary arrangements.'

'But surely that's not enough time to plan a wedding!'

'My mother could arrange a coronation in half that time. Throw your aunt and Caroline into the mix, and we could be married before breakfast.' Cupping her face between his hands, he regarded her with a frown. 'I trust you're not changing your mind?'

A lump lodged in her throat. Changing her mind? Not bloody likely, as the Brits would say.