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She spread her hands. "You know what Papa’s house was like. Everything was dedicated to science."

"I was dedicated to science. They didn’t stop me from thinking about the naughty things I wanted to do to you."

"You never tried to kiss me."

"No, but I wish I had now. I certainly wanted to."

He had, hadn’t he? Looking into his intent face, she could tell that he still did. How intriguing. "We were too busy fighting to kiss."

"Nobody is that busy. I suppose you terrified all those other clodpolls, because you’re so clever and pretty. Even I found myself daunted – and very little daunts a gallant Scotsman."

Emily regarded him doubtfully. "You never seemed daunted."

"Inside I was shaking with dread."

She struggled not to smile. "You’re such a fibber."

“And I suppose your father’s colleagues are all past it – although I noticed that a couple of those old goats had an eye for you."

"A few of them chased me around the library."

He looked startled. And displeased. "Did they, by God?"

"I only worked for Lord Pascoe once. It turned out he wanted more from me than verification of his arithmetic."

"Frightful old duffer. He never caught you?"

"No, only you did that."

"I did, didn’t I?" Hamish looked thoughtful. "It’s my duty as a man of honor to give you a first kiss to remember."

"Are you going to kiss me now?" Despite her best efforts, her voice shook as she rose. He suddenly seemed awfully tall and…male.

"Yes, I am," he said with a solemn expression, although the glint in his eye told her that even now, he teased her.

Emily snatched at his hand. She needed something to keep her upright. Her knees felt like blancmange.

She’d known that kissing would be involved when she approached Hamish about making their marriage work. Good heavens, more than kissing. This craven reaction to the prospect of a kiss hinted that she’d be catatonic with nerves when it came to the marital act.

On the way north, she’d looked forward to learning what made people go silly when two pairs of lips met. But when she imagined kissing Hamish, she’d forgotten how big and powerful he was. While she wasn’t a tiny woman, compared to him she felt like a mere speck.

"The setting leaves something to be desired." He glanced around the parlor. "You’re lucky you married an astronomer, my girl."

"I am?" she said faintly. "Because you’ll make me see stars?"

He responded with a soft laugh. She liked his laugh. She liked the way the low rumble of amusement resonated in her bones. "I do hope so. Although I meant something else. An astronomer keeps a close watch on the phases of the moon. As luck would have it, there’s a moon out tonight and the evening has set fair. That’s not always the case in this beautiful country of mine."

"You’re taking me outside." She wasn’t sure whether she was relieved or disappointed at her reprieve. Once she mentioned kissing, she’d expected him to jump on her.

"Doesn’t every maiden dream of a kiss in the moonlight?"

She swallowed to ease a dry throat. "I dream of discovering a new planet like Herschel did."

The burgeoning delight in his smile puzzled her. "Emily, you’re the most marvelous girl in creation, and I’m so happy we got caught in flagrante in Greenwich."

"Hardly in flagrante—" She stopped and regarded him in amazement. "What did you say?"

Hamish lifted her hand and placed a fervent kiss on her palm. Heat rippled along her arm and set her heart beating even faster. Since Hamish saying he meant to kiss her, it had already been galloping fit to win the Derby.


Tags: Anna Campbell The Lairds Most Likely Historical