Free Devil in Her Dreams by Jane Charles Page A

a kiss. Louisa melted into him. All would be well.
    His lips were gentle, nothing like the passion of this morning. How many different kisses were there? She hoped to experience them all with Marston.
    He pulled back and cupped her cheek. “I leave tomorrow.”
    “
Yes, I know.”
    “
I will see you in London?”
    “
Yes.”
And often, I hope.
    “
Might I ask a favor?”
    What could he possibly want? “What?”
    “
Don’t allow another man to court you.”
    She drew back. “I don’t understand.”
    He sighed and took her hands in his. “I think you know that I have come to care for you.”
    Was he going to propose? “I care for you as well.”
    “
But I am not free to court you right now.”
    Of course he couldn’t. He was leaving tomorrow to take that Frenchman back to London. “I’d hoped you’d wait for me until a time when I can court you properly and, if we suit, speak to your father.”
    Giddiness bubbled up in her. This was what she wanted.
    “
I am afraid it may not be this year, or even next Season.”
    The happiness died.
    “
You are too much of a distraction.” He smiled, leaned in, and kissed her again. “Will you wait until I am free?”
    “
But you may not be free for months, or maybe even years.” As much as she wanted to be with him, it wasn’t fair to ask this of her.
    “
I will do my best to get them married off as quickly as possible.”
    So he wished to simply push his sisters off on some gentlemen. “I am afraid I can’t wait.” She stood and smoothed her skirts.
    Marston jumped to his feet. “What do you mean?”
    “
First, I don’t approve of your idea to marry each of your sisters off to the first gentleman who asks.”
    “
I didn’t say that, exactly.”
    “
What of their happiness, their wishes? Would you ruin theirs so you could have what you want?”
    “
No, I didn’t say that.” He grasped her hands in his.
    She yanked them back. She couldn’t think if he touched her. “Then you plan on giving them all the time they need to find the gentlemen they want, who will make them happy.”
    “
As long as it doesn’t take too long.”
    Louisa anchored her fists on her hips. “Exactly how long is that?”
    He stared at her and then blew out a frustrated breath. “A year, perhaps.”
    “
And if it takes longer, will you choose a husband for them?”
    “
Of course not, but I will encourage them to settle on someone.”
    She relaxed for a moment. “I am glad you are at least going to let them have a say.”
    “
You still haven’t explained why you won’t wait.”
    “
Because, Lord Marston, whether it is you or some stranger I have yet to meet, I can assure you, I will be married before Twelfth Night.” With that she turned on her heel and marched back toward the house.
    “
Wait.”
    She stopped and turned.
    “
What of us? There is a connection. I know you feel it.”
    Louisa blinked back tears. “Yes, I do. But as long as you insist on waiting for your sisters to be settled, I cannot wait for you.”
    “
Then I will marry them off quickly.”
    Louisa simply shook her head. “I will not have you sacrifice their happiness so you can court me. It is unfair to them. It is unfair to you, and it is unfair to me.”
    “
But there is nothing else I can do.”
    A sad smile pulled at her lips. Marston would not be hers, and it pained her to admit it. But she could not wait for him. Grandfather would never allow it. “I am glad I made your acquaintance, Lord Marston. I am sure we will see each other in London. Have a pleasant trip.” Turning, she strode for the house. This time, she didn’t look back when he called out.
    Louisa entered the drawing room, nodded to those present, and kept walking until she was in the foyer, then up the stairs and into her room, where she threw herself on the bed and let the tears flow. “How long does it take to mend a broken heart?”

 
    One Week Later-London

    Louisa paced inside the front parlor of her grandfather’s