When she rose, he’d stopped in front of her, smiling. “What a lovely creature you are.”
Her mouth pressed together, wondering if being called a creature was a compliment or not, but she smiled anyway as Brandon appeared at her side. “My fiancée, Your Majesty.”
A ripple of shock and surprise coursed through her as the king gave Brandon a large smile. “No moss has grown about you, I see.” And then the man moved on.
“That was the king?” The words came out in a breathless gasp as she turned back to look at Brandon.
“Indeed,” Brandon answered. “My father committed his treason when His Majesty was our Regent, which was why he was lenient enough to leave me my title. He’d never give me the same grace now and I am very fortunate that he has allowed me back into society.”
That stabbed at Emily. Because she understood what wasn’t said in that sentence. Brandon’s position was tenuous at best. And if she truly loved him and wanted what was best for him, she’d set him free to find a better match with a well-connected family. She’d wanted to kiss him tonight. But as events unfolded, she realized this night needed an even grander gesture. “Perhaps we should finish this conversation in a quieter place?”
Brandon glanced around and gave a single nod. “Agreed.”
Then he took her hand and started leading her away from her family. To her surprise no one said a word.
They slipped out of the house and into the cool night.
“What a lovely party,” she said as they made their way across the terrace. The clouds had vanished, and stars twinkled in the sky. “Everything shines a bit brighter at the palace.”
Brandon pulled her close as they stepped into shadow. His voice was a soft whisper in her ear. “His Majesty withdraws from society a little more each year. He rarely has such events these days.”
“For a man who hasn’t been part of society, you know a great deal about him.”
Brandon slipped an arm about her waist and suddenly she was pressed to his front, the heat from his body warming her in the cool night air. “Until very recently, all I wanted was to see my family’s reputation restored. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes as my father.”
She nodded, swallowing. “You know,” she took a ragged breath, preparing herself for her next words. “You haven’t actually asked me to marry you.”
“My,” he whispered close to her ear. “A grave mistake on my part.”
And then he began to kiss a trail over her cheek toward her mouth. “That isn’t…” But her words trailed off as his lips pressed to the corner of hers.
His arms were hard and so strong about her waist, his scent of sandalwood and leather wrapping about her. She gripped his biceps as he nipped at the side of her mouth again, tingling desire coursing through her.
His lips brushed over hers, light and teasing, making her knees weak.
She gasped but he swallowed the sound as he kissed her again. This time with more pressure, though the touch was still gentle.
She’d never been kissed before but if she’d dreamed of the way it would feel, this was better.
Her stomach swirled with sensations that pooled between her thighs. She squeezed his arms tighter as he pressed against her mouth a third time. Over and over he kissed her until it wasn’t enough.
How could that be? She wanted more.
And when he slanted her mouth open and brushed his tongue past her lips to touch his tongue to hers, sensation ricocheted through her as she tilted her head even further to give him all the access he desired.
She never wanted this kiss to end.
But it did just the same.
Chapter Nine
Brandon lifted his head.
Not because he wanted to. He’d like to kiss Emily all night until the sun rose and then he’d take her home and strip her…
He forced himself to stop. That kiss hadn’t been about his pleasure.
Though it had been beyond pleasant.
It had been obvious she’d never kissed a man before. Rather than mind her inexperience it had filled him with…satisfaction. A reminder when he’d worried that she didn’t actually want him, that she would be his and his alone.
And then she’d bloomed under him, kissing him back with such innocent passion that he’d forgotten all his worries. She was his.
And he had no intention of letting her go.
Her heart was pounding against his and male pride surged through him.
He’d done that.
He cupped her cheek in his palm as his thumb swept across her now-swollen lips. He ached all the more when she pressed a small kiss to the pad.
But he cleared his throat, attempting to order his thoughts. He had a proposal to make. “Miss Emily Carrington,” he said, looking down in her large, gorgeous brown eyes. The soft tilt at the corners and dark lashes only accentuated the depth of love and kindness that sparkled in them. “Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
He felt her let out a breath, the warm air tickling his thumb’s tip. “Brandon,” she started, and her voice cracked on his name. Was she overset with emotion? “That’s not what I meant when I said you hadn’t proposed.”
“I beg your pardon?” But his stomach dropped.
“I…” She swallowed. “I meant you still had the opportunity to…” She stopped again. “You could marry an earl’s daughter. Or a marquess’.” Emily took a half step back or she tried.
He tilted his head to the side as he looked down at her. “You think I should marry someone else?”
She nodded. “You’ve only just received the king’s favor. You should marry into a sparkling family with a stellar reputation.” Her hands came to his chest. “I know you’ve worked very hard to clear your family’s name.”
“Years,” he replied, beginning to understand. “It’s all I wanted for the longest time.”
She smiled up
