Leigha was the first to break the kiss. She looked at Archie from only inches away, her lips swollen and still slightly parted. She could feel his fingers tangled in her hair and the rise and fall of his chest against hers.

"Heavens," she breathed slightly dazed.

Archie smiled tenderly down at her, "You act as if you've never been kissed."

His voice was somewhat hoarse and it sent a tingle down her spine, "I have never been kissed."

"So, I'm your first?" He asked sounding oddly pleased.

"Well, if we are not counting the chaste kisses of my father, brother, and various other male relations," she teased, "then, yes, Archie, you're my first. Sneeze and all."

Archie threw back his head and laughed, "I see I'm never going to live that down."

Leigha looked up at him impishly then asked with a smile, "Do you think you could my second as well?"

"Leigha!" Archie exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "That's quite forward of you, Madame."

Leigha lowered her eyes chastely, but the smile still remained on her lips. Archie shook his head in amusement and replied, "Yes, Miss Sommes, i will be honored to give you your second, third, fourth, etc. You promised me I could lead you into temptation tonight, are you prepared to follow?"

"Oh yes!" She answered eagerly, putting her arms about his neck and offering her lips up invitingly.

Archie groaned softly and murmured as he lowered his head, "I am sunk."

***************************************************************

"She's been gone a while," Genny remarked slyly to her sister, "I wonder what she's up to?"

"No good, that's for sure, "replied Leona, "I remarked to Sir Ainsley about it, but he refuses to see his precious daughter for what she truly is, the deceptive little tart."

"I, daresay, it is a bit warm in here. What say you to a stroll in the gardens, sister? To cool off, of course." Genny asked with a cattish smile.

Leona smiled back, "Of course, sister, that sounds divine."

***************************************************************

Sommes watched the exchange with suspicion. He knew his wife and sister-in-law well enough to figure out that they were up to trouble and that usually meant it involved Leigha. He grew very alarmed as he watched them head towards the garden. He hurried his way to his study and leapt out the window in an attempt to head them off.

"Oh no, you don't, you scheming bitches," he thought to himself as he made his way through the shrubs, "you two are not going to embarrass Leigha tonight. Why can't you two troublesome harpies leave her to her own happiness?"

Sommes rounded the corner quickly and came face to face with his wife and her sister. They were both staring at something in shock. He turned and found his daughter locked in an embrace.

"You little tramp!" Leona's ear-piercing screech broke the stunned silence, "I knew you were a devious little harlot! Pretending innocence and here you are, caught, in the arms of your lover! How long has this been going on, you...you strumpet!?"

Archie and Leigha jumped apart in surprise. Leigha flushed scarlet in embarrassment and anger. Archie remained cool and kept his arm protectively about her.

"Watch yourself, Madame. You are insulting a lady." Archie warned softly.

"How dare you, sir," Leona said in peeved surprise, "I think you have caused enough trouble as it is. I told you, Ainsley, I told you no good would come of it! You have only yourself to blame!"

"Leona, keep your voice down!' Sommes roared, "I don't think we need to draw any attention to ourselves!"

"I think Leigha should have attention drawn to her, so that she may learn the consequences of her folly." Genny said in malicious delight.

"You, Genevieve, "Sir Ainsley said icily, "will remain quiet. One word, just one more out of you and I will send you back to the wilds of Devon for the rest of the season."

Then he turned his glare on his wife, "And you, Lady Sommes, will hold your tongue as well, or by God, I will exercise my rights as a husband and beat you, you silly git! Now the both of you will take yourselves back to the ballroom and say NOT one word to any one of this. If there is even a murmur or sly look directed towards Leigha when we return, you two will face the harshest of consequences. Is that understood?"

They both nodded and huffed off.

"Papa, I..." Leigha started, but Sommes held up his hand and cut her off.

"No, Leigha," He said, "I don't want to hear excuses. I know you, child, and I trust you. You're not the sort to go getting yourself tumbled under the hedges. I'm not going to read anything improper into this, it was a kiss, for God's sake."

Leigha flushed scarlet again but she and archie both breathed identical sighs of relief.

Sommes then pointed to Archie and said sternly, "You, young sir, are coming with me to my study, we need to have a conversation. Leigha, I think it best if you return to the house alone."

"Yes sir," she replied dutifully and left after giving Archie's arm a squeeze of encouragement.

***************************************************************

Archie followed Sommes into his study nervously. Even though Leigha's father had seemed calm and understanding, it still didn't mean that he wouldn't receive a challenge. A father's forgiveness may extend to the child, but it didn't necessarily leave him off the hook.

Sommes gestured to a chair, "Take a seat, Lieutenant. May I offer you a glass of claret?"

"Yes, thank you, sir." Archie said but thought to himself, "Okay, Archie, maybe you're in the clear. After all a man isn't going to waste good liquor on a man he's about to put a hole in."

"Now, young man," Sommes began after handing Archie his drink and taking a sip of his own, "I want to know your intentions towards my daughter. You don't seem the type to trifle with an innocent young girl."

"Yes, sir. I mean, no sir. I mean..." Archie fumbled as he hastened to assure Sommes. "I mean, I'm not the type to play deep games eith young girls. I want you to know that I admire your daughter and have only the most noblest of intentions towards her..."

"Towards my daughter or towards her dowry? Come, sir, my Leigha could make you a very rich man if you wed her."

"I wish to court your daughter, sir, not her dowry." Archie said through clenched teeth, "tis your daughter I want not her money, though I won't lie and say it wouldn't be welcomed."

"Your serious then, about courting my daughter? Why? If I may ask?" Sommes saw the angry look that crossed Archie's features and realized what he sounded like. "Oh, don't get me wrong, Mr. Kennedy, I know what a great and wonderful girl my Leigha is; but, truth to tell, I don't think anyone else realizes it. She has been in the shadow of Lady Sommes and Genevieve since she was fourteen, it's a fact that gentlemen overlook her. She's not beautiful, you know."

"I find your daughter very lovely. Her spirit and kind heart make her near to perfection, at least to me, sir." Archie replied defending his lady.

Sommes beamed at Archie in approval, "My good sir, if you wish to court my daughter, you have my consent. Though, I would like to know, are you in love with her?"

Archie looked thoughtful for a moment, then answered as honestly as he could, "I don't know, sir. I know I feel for her as I have never felt for anyone else, but is it love? I'm not sure. We've only known each other for so short a time, and yes, there is attraction there and fondness. I could love her, but I don't now."

"Ah," Sommes nodded, "you are a sensible man. If you had answered yes immediately, I would've taken you for a fortune hunter and had you thrown out on your ear. It is settled then, you may court my daughter...and good luck in the endeavor, you'll need it."

Archie rose and shook hands with Sommes and then with a smile on his lips he went to find Leigha. He stopped at one of the large windows and saw a streak of orange light up the sky.

"I think it's going to be a perfect morning," he said and went on his search, whistling happily.