“It’s a Bridgerton heirloom,” he said. “There are several betrothal rings in the collection, but I thought you’d like this one best. The others were rather heavy and fussy.”
“It’s beautiful,” Kate said, quite unable to take her eyes off of it.
He reached out and took the box from her. “May I?” he murmured, plucking the ring from its velvet nest.
She held out her hand, cursing at herself when she realized she was trembling—not a great deal, but surely enough for him to notice. He didn’t say a word, though, just steadied her hand with his as he used the other to slip the ring on her finger.
“Looks rather nice, don’t you think?” he asked, still holding the tips of her fingers with his.
Kate nodded, unable to take her eyes off of it. She’d never been one for rings; this would be the first she wore with any regularity. It felt strange on her finger, heavy and cold and very, very solid. It somehow made everything that had happened in the past week seem more real. More final. It occurred to her as she was staring at the ring that she’d been half expecting a bolt of lightning to come down from heaven and stop the proceedings before they actually said their vows.
Anthony moved closer, then brought her newly adorned fingers to his lips. “Perhaps we should seal the bargain with a kiss?” he murmured.
“I’m not sure…”
He pulled her onto his lap and grinned devilishly. “I am.”
But as Kate tumbled onto him, she accidentally kicked Newton, who let out a loud, whiny bark, obviously distressed at having his nap so rudely interrupted.
Anthony raised a brow and peered over Kate at Newton. “I didn’t even see him here.”
“He was taking a nap,” Kate explained. “He’s a very sound sleeper.”
But once awake, Newton refused to be left out of the action, and with a slightly more awake bark, he leaped up onto the chair, landing on Kate’s lap.
“Newton!” she squealed.
“Oh, for the love of—” But Anthony’s mutterings were cut short by a big, sloppy kiss from Newton.
“I think he likes you,” Kate said, so amused by Anthony’s disgusted expression that she forgot to be self-conscious about her position on his lap.
“Dog,” Anthony ordered, “get down on the floor this instant.”
Newton hung his head and whined.
“Now!”
Letting out a big sigh, Newton turned about and plopped down onto the floor.
“My goodness,” Kate said, peering down at the dog, who was now moping under the table, his snout lying sorrowfully on the carpet, “I’m impressed.”
“It’s all in the tone of voice,” Anthony said archly, snaking a viselike arm around her waist so that she could not get up.
Kate looked at his arm, then looked at his face, her brows arching in question. “Why,” she mused, “do I get the impression you find that tone of voice effective on women as well?”
He shrugged and leaned toward her with a heavy-lidded smile. “It usually is,” he murmured.
“Not this one.” Kate planted her hands on the arms of the chair and tried to wrench herself up.
But he was far too strong. “Especially this one,” he said, his voice dropping to an impossibly low purr. With his free hand, he cupped her chin and turned her face to his. His lips were soft but demanding, and he explored her mouth with a thoroughness that left her breathless.
His mouth moved along the line of her jaw to her neck, pausing only to whisper, “Where is your mother?”
“Out,” Kate gasped.
His teeth tugged at the edge of her bodice. “For how long?”
“I don’t know.” She let out a little squeal as his tongue dipped below the muslin and traced an erotic line on her skin. “Good heavens, Anthony, what are you doing?”
“How long?” he repeated.
“An hour. Maybe two.”
Anthony glanced up to make sure he’d shut the door when he had entered earlier. “Maybe two?” he murmured, smiling against her skin. “Really?”
“M-maybe just one.”
He hooked a finger under the edge of her bodice up near her shoulder, making sure to catch the edge of her chemise as well. “One,” he said, “is still quite splendid.” Then, pausing only to bring his mouth to hers so that she could not utter any protest, he swiftly pulled her dress down, taking the chemise along with it.
He felt her gasp into his mouth, but he just deepened the kiss as he palmed the round fullness of her breast. She was perfect under his fingers, soft and pert, filling his hand as if she’d been made for him.