Elizabeth Mansfield (28 page)

“Well, then, my lord,” she said, tossing him.a daring grin, “how long is it going to be before you kiss me again?”

It took no time at all for him to comply. They were in the midst of a shockingly close embrace when Lady Branscombe’s voice came to them from somewhere close by. “Julie, where on earth are you?” she was calling. “Horsham tells me that that clunch Canfield has sent the pianoforte
back again!”
Her step came closer and then stopped altogether. She’d caught sight of the embrace. “Oh, good
heavens! Canfield,
you cad, release that girl at once! Or... perhaps not. If someone doesn’t tell me what has passed, I shall positively
swoon!
”

Julie lifted her head but didn’t take her eyes from the face of the man who still held her in a crushing grip. “Don’t be so silly, Mama. You never swoon. And as for you, my lord”—she held him off and, with eyes full of laughter, regarded him with head cocked—”
did
you do something so quixotically idiotic as to bring the piano
back?
”

He shrugged sheepishly. “Well, how was I to know the altercation I’d embarked on this afternoon would conclude with you in my arms? And since we’re going to be wed anyway—and very soon too if I have my way—what difference does it make where the blasted piano stays?”