Chapter 5: Page 3

Selphie considered for a moment then shook her head. "I

have enjoyed dancing with you very much and I hope we

may share many more in the future. But I have grown a

trifle weary for tonight."

She wasn't going to leave already? Irvine wanted this

night with her to last at least until dawn. "More

champagne, then?"

"I mustn't. I have had almost too much as it is."

She did want to leave. Irvine's heart sank, though he

chided himself for being greedy of her company. This

night had given him more than he'd dared hope for when

he'd accepted Lord Dintch's invitation.

Still he could not resist trying for more. "Almost too

much may be just enough."

"In that case, I have had just enough and should not

indulge any further."

"As you wish, then." He tried to stifle a sigh but did

not fully succeed. "Good night. Our time together has

meant more to me than you will ever know."

He stooped to kiss her hand.

While his lips pressed to her fingers, unable to part

from them, she slowly raised her hand. "Good night? I

have no wish to end our pleasant interlude so soon,

sir."

"You haven't?"

"Indeed, not." She caught her lower lip between her

teeth for a moment. "I was hoping we might take a little

stroll together under the stars. If you are willing?"

If? A whole bottle of champagne could not have set him

so delightfully befuddled as her unexpected invitation.

"I would be honored."

Irvine lost all track of time as they walked arm in arm in

the starlight, talking about everything and nothing. He

felt as if he knew Selphie better after this one evening

than after all the years of their acquaintance. She was

everything he had hoped and more. Every second in her

company, he fell a little further under her spell.

At last they found themselves wrapped in the magical

perfume of a slumbering rose garden. An expectant hush

fell over them and Lord Kinneas knew the moment was

right. Taking Selphie in his arms, he kissed her in the

way he'd waited so long to do. His kiss claimed her as

his own, even as it offered himself to be her willing

subject for the rest of his life.

Yet even in this sweet fulfillment of his dream, a tiny

doubt bedeviled him. Would Selphie be responding with

such innocent passion to his kiss if she knew his true

identity?