Excerpt from A LADY'S WISH

Her heart beat so hard she feared he could hear it across the chamber. “I thought you meant to pretend we had not met before.”

He turned to her, one corner of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.

“Why would I pretend that?” He spoke with perfect calm. Unregretful.

“Then,” she managed beneath his untroubled regard, “perhaps you did not wish to expose me to my family’s curiosity. I appreciate your discretion.”

He walked to her until he stood very close. Too close for a lady and a gentleman practically unknown to one another.

“No particular discretion intended upon that account, my lady,” he said in a low voice. “Only lack of opportunity to renew our acquaintance suitably. But I think it high time we finally introduced ourselves, don’t you? And now you have no maidenly modesty to justify denying me the pleasure of your name.”

His hand stole around hers, warm and strong and holding her with perfect confidence.

“Allow me to begin.” He lifted her fingers to his lips. “I am Nikolas Acton.” He placed the softest kiss upon her knuckles, his gaze fixed not on her hand or eyes, but her mouth. “And I am, as ever, enchanted.”

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