Free The Scandal in Kissing an Heir by Sophie Barnes Page A

today. Now, I must ready myself as my aunt has requested and bid you a good day. Thank you so much for calling on me. It was most kind.”
    “It was the least I could do,” he said. He paused a moment before saying, “Your aunt does not approve of me, but I have every intention of pressing my suit with your uncle.”
    Rebecca froze as the implication of his statement sank in, her heart thumping wildly at the very idea of it. He was going to try to marry her. There was only one question marring the happiness that filled her. Why? “Your determination in that regard makes me even more curious about your motive. And please don’t tell me that no other woman will have you, for it is not a good enough reason.”
    “I . . . I can honestly tell you that I genuinely like you, Lady Rebecca. I think we would suit quite well.”
    His sheepishness attested to his unwillingness to tell her the entire truth. Certainly this was part of it, but it was not the driving force behind his decision. For whatever reason, Mr. Neville had to marry. He’d probably decided that she would make a fine candidate—a woman so desperate that she’d likely marry anyone just to escape her aunt and uncle’s care. Now that Mr. Neville knew who her suitors were, he was probably more confident than ever that she would agree to become his wife if her uncle gave his approval. He wasn’t wrong in that regard, but Rebecca wished that there was more to it than that—that he wanted her passionately. She sighed, giving herself a mental kick. She was too romantic by half if she imagined that she would ever be able to inspire such strong feelings in a rake.
    But did it really matter? She couldn’t deny the degree with which he drew her and how much she longed to be held by him, kissed by him. . . . Surely if they married, she would have at least that much. He was frowning at her, she noticed, and she became instantly aware that it was taking her too long to respond. Oh bother. “Speak to my uncle,” she said. “And if he gives you his blessing, then I will agree to marry you.”
    A smile spread its way across his lips. Reaching for her hand, he raised it to his lips and kissed it, his eyes meeting hers as he did so. The effect made her stomach flutter, while an undeniable heat spread its way across her skin. If only she affected him the same way.
    “Then by all means, wish me luck,” he said.
    She did, without hesitation and with all her heart.
    Ten minutes later, Rebecca was still standing in the hallway when the door to her uncle’s office opened and Mr. Neville stepped out, his face completely inscrutable. “Lady Rebecca,” he said, smiling stiffly. “There is some business that I must attend to in London. I will return in two days with the hope of resolving everything then.” Bowing, his eyes met hers. “Fret not, though. I believe everything will work out the way you had hoped.”
    And then he was gone, leaving Rebecca speechless.
    “H ow did it go?” Laura asked when Rebecca returned to her room. Taking Rebecca’s bonnet from her, the maid began boxing it away in the wardrobe.
    “Topperly was harmless as always, while Grover was his usual, charming self,” she said, her voice turning bitter at the mention of the duke. Tugging at the fingers of her gloves, she went to look out the window.
    “And?” her maid inquired. “I sense there’s something more.”
    Turning, Rebecca met Laura’s gaze and immediately smiled. “Mr. Neville came to call on me as well.”
    “Did he now?”
    Rebecca nodded. “Yes. In fact, he has asked Uncle for his blessing.”
    “And?” Laura asked, her hands clasped together at her chest and hope brimming in her eyes.
    Perching herself on the windowsill, Rebecca returned her attention to the garden below.
    “I’ve no idea. When he left, Mr. Neville mentioned something about some business that needed attending to first, though he did reassure me that everything would work out to my advantage.” She met