Free Major Lord David by Sherry Lynn Ferguson

observed her closely.
One might have suspected he had traveled all the way from the Continent for the express purpose of frequenting her aunt’s
kitchen.

    “How kind of you to come, Major,” she said, as she walked
toward him.
    “It is a major event” Despite his smile, despite his impeccable grooming and the dashing scarlet coat, he looked rather
pale and tired. Billie fought her swift rise of concern. When
she’d last seen him, at the New Year, she had released him; his
welfare could be none of her affair.
    “Did Lord Hayden convey my message?” she asked.
    He smiled and shook his head. “Was it in answer to mine?”
    “Yes.”
    “And was the answer yes?”
    ‘No.
    “Ah! But the question would now seem irrelevant-and
how else shall I deliver your birthday present?” He did not
step aside as she approached, as he had stepped aside for Kit,
so that of necessity she came very near him. She was breathlessly aware of his height, of the scent of his shaving lotion, of
how dark his pupils looked within the striking blue of his
eyes. “I have missed you, Billie,” he said softly.
    “Have you? Is that why you have stayed away so long?”
    “Does it seem long to you?”
    She shook her head. As she mutely made to push past him,
he at last moved aside and followed her into the dark stairwell.
She could hear the laughter and music of the party in the rooms
just overhead, and she stepped briskly toward the stairs. But a
gentle pull on her arm stayed her at the very first step.
    She turned to protest, only to find her face on a level with his.
    “You said you wanted time,” he continued softly. “How
could I imagine you would object to more of it? Though I confess,” he muttered, “it seems dreadfully long to me” And he
swiftly kissed her.
    For some seconds she forgot herself. Then she drew breath.
    “You are too fond of kissing, Major.”
     
    “Perhaps because it is so rare”
    “Surely you might determine whether it is rare or not?”
    “No, Miss Caswell. You do” Again he smiled. “Though I
fear you might reach the point that you feel you have had
enough of my kisses-and devalue them…
    “We shall never reach such a point!”
    “I am pleased to hear it.”
    “That is not what I meant!” She had to think. His ready
smile fascinated her.
    “There must be no more kissing, though,” he explained
lightly, “until you have decided.”
    “I assure you, my lord, that is not a deprivation.”
    “I speak for myself, Billie.” His gaze held hers. “Have you
any news for me?”
    With a strangled breath she managed only, “I shall not tryst
here in the stairwell,” and raced on up the steps.
    For all she had been absent a good fifteen minutes, little
about the gathering had changed. Except that May Sanders
and Charis Athington were no longer occupied by dancing or
conversation. Both girls were much too aware of her return
with Major Trent; from across the parlor, they boldly assessed
the major at her side. Billie took the happy group into dazed,
uncomprehending view all at once-because she felt so closely
the presence of her partner. Everyone at this party believed
her engaged to him, yet in all these weeks she had received
not one word from him, not of love or even of liking. They
ought to deny any intention here, now, finally and openly. But
he had kissed her once again….
    “Will you not go?” she urged under her breath, sensing
only that she could not manage both the major and the party at
once. “This is not the time to talk. I do not want you here”
She knew instantly that she’d been too sharp. To treat him so
was disgraceful. When she glanced at him, his fine jaw had set
stubbornly. She swallowed. “I mean you-you must of course
stay for some supper. As you have come all this way .. “

    “I think not,” he said abruptly. She had never seen him look
quite so stern. He was signaling the butler for his coat and hat.
“As you say, I have indeed