She knew she was practically shooing her sister out the door but if Meredith were still here when Hugh arrived it would be a catastrophe.
Sending Meredith off with a wink, Louisa waited until her footsteps padded down the hallway then swept quickly from the room.
HUGH COULDN’T BELIEVE HOW anxious he felt as he checked his watch once again and resumed his pacing.
What if she refused to come?
Well, he’d meant what he’d said. He would storm up there and carry her from her bedchamber if he had to.
Of course, if he stormed up there, the last thing he would want to do is leave her bedroom. He’d infinitely prefer to make use of it.
“Hugh.”
He swung round and saw her standing in the doorway, looking more beautiful than any woman had a right to.
“You came.”
He was an idiot. Of course she came, she was standing there.
“I didn’t think you gave me much of a choice,” she said ruefully and he was relieved to see a soft smile play around her lips.
“No, I don’t suppose I didn’t,” he responded.
She shivered and he immediately moved to her side.
“You’re cold,” he said.
Yes. Definitely an idiot.
“The conservatory wasn’t going to be terribly warm on a winter’s night, was it?” she quipped in response.
He smiled self-consciously.
“Let’s move to the library,” he said, offering her his arm.”It will be much warmer there.”
She hesitated for a moment before finally nodding her agreement and taking his arm.
“Why did you want to meet me?” she asked quietly as they walked.
This was the hard part.
Hugh had spent hours deliberating over what he should say. How he could explain that he’d been a fool three years ago, that he was desperately in love with her, that he wanted more than anything to make her his wife.
But suddenly, the words wouldn’t come.
He was as skittish as an unbroken horse.
He searched frantically for something to talk about but it was so hard to concentrate.
Every time she touched him, even on the sleeve of his coat, it set his heart racing.
And as far as his coat went, when she’d returned it, it had carried the floral scent she always wore and had nearly brought him to his knees.
Finally, he alighted on a topic that would keep her talking, at least long enough for him to pluck up the courage to tell her how he felt.
“Ah — it was about Lucas and Meredith. I wondered if you had thought about what you will do.”
It was a blatant lie.
He didn’t care a jot what she would do at this particular moment.
She heaved a sigh and gave him a sideway glance.
“Honestly,” she said after a moment or two, “what can I do? If they truly love each other, I wouldn’t be able to keep them apart for long. And nor would I want to. If my sister finds happiness, even if it is with your brother, then that’s good enough for me. I just have to believe that he will treat her well.”
Hugh heard the genuine worry in her voice.
They had reached the library door but before they went inside he turned her to face him, gently clasping her shoulders.
“He will treat her like a queen, sweetheart. I am sure of it.”
“How can you be sure?” she asked with a slight frown.
“Because he loves her. And when we Mayfords fall in love, we make sure the whole world knows it.”
Was it wishful thinking or did she look suddenly wistful?
He felt a thaw in her demeanor and it gave him the courage to go on, to tease a little, even.
“And will your sister be good to my brother?”
She grinned saucily and shrugged her shoulders.
“If she’s foolish enough to love him then she will no doubt be good to him.”
“You think she is foolish to fall in love?” he asked, feeling suddenly uneasy.
“Not at all. Foolish to fall in love with a Mayford, perhaps.” She smiled.
“Hmm. And if we are so abhorrent, how come your sister did, in fact, fall in love with one of us?”
“Who knows? Perhaps she couldn’t resist his charm.”
He winked and gave her his most charming smile.
“And who could blame her?”
“Not me. Such charm is terribly difficult to resist,” she responded as he leaned closer. “At least one of you has some.”
By God she was a saucy one.
He growled in frustration, prompting her to shush him frantically. He opened the door of the library and swung her inside, closing the door behind them.
Without giving her the chance to object beyond saying his name in a very disapproving tone, he pulled her toward him and crushed her lips to his.
If she wanted charm, she’d get it.
SHE WOULD NEVER RECOVER from his kisses, Louisa knew.
She would never want to.
The man had seeped into her heart and soul and he would never leave.
His lips were playing havoc with her senses, demanding she respond, demanding she give in to him.
And she did.
Louisa threw everything she felt into that kiss, reaching up to run her fingers through his sable hair, losing herself to the feelings he evoked.
She could stay like this forever. In fact, if they never —
Louisa froze as someone cleared his throat behind them.