Elizabeth could not breathe, her stomach tightening as Lord Mallon, her betrothed, bent over her hand. His lips brushed the back of her hand, and she felt her cheeks flush.

This was not what she had expected in the least, and from the astonishment still written on his expression, he had not expected it either.

Something like joy began to bubble up within her. She had no need to worry any longer as to what her husband would be like, nor whether or not she would find him in any way attractive. She had already felt the spark between them when they had first met, when she had not even known his name. The excitement she had felt, the sudden, unexpected thrill of his gentle touch now all seemed to be quite acceptable, given that he was to be her husband. She just had to hope that he felt the same as she. Given that he was clearly handsome, and that he had been so visibly attracted to her whilst being betrothed, Elizabeth felt a sliver of worry bury itself in her heart. Would he take a mistress when they married? She knew a great many gentleman did, but now that she knew who he was, the very thought of it stuck a huge pain into the depths of her heart.

“Elizabeth, you are very quiet,” her mother prompted, with a slight warning to her voice. She was expected to say something, expected to continue the conversation, and yet she could not. Her throat was dry, her surprise still overwhelming her.

Lord Mallon chuckled, his smile directed solely towards her. “Shall we take a walk, Lady Elizabeth?”

She blinked for a moment before nodding. “A walk would be very pleasant.”

“Just around the room, of course,” he said at once, catching his father’s sharp look. “Or, mayhap, the gardens, if the doors are opened. Our host does have a particular lovely garden.”

Elizabeth felt her breath hitch, her skin tingling all over, as she anticipated what might pass between them when they were alone in the gardens.

“Just ensure you return my daughter to me within the hour,” Lady Lewisham said with a small smile. “It will be good for you both to get to know one another before the wedding date is set.”

Elizabeth’s smile faded as she saw Lord Mallon frown. Was he not pleased with the idea of matrimony? Did he find the prospect to be an unpleasant one? For a sudden, horrible moment, she wondered if Lord Mallon was something of a rake, a man used to toying with women of the ton. She could not expect him to behave properly in his young years, given that her own brother had picked up a scandal or two during his time in London. However, Elizabeth had to hope that Lord Mallon was now a respectable gentleman. She could think of nothing worse than him being an all-out rogue.

“Shall we, Lady Elizabeth?”

He was holding out his arm to her, and aware that her mother was practically beaming at her, she took it at once and began to walk with him through the crowd.

“I do hope you will not mind a quiet walk in the gardens,” Lord Mallon murmured, glancing down at her before returning his gaze straight ahead of him. “I think there are a few things we might need to talk about, and I do not think that a room filled with other guests is the best place for such a thing.”

Elizabeth laughed softly and heard him chuckle. “Indeed not, Lord Mallon. You are quite right. We do have a very great deal to talk about.”

He looked down at her and held her gaze for a moment. Elizabeth was struck by the intensity held in his eyes. It made her shiver and burn at the same time, her whole body almost burning with a strange, inexplicable heat.

This was so unexpected, and yet so perfect.

He cleared his throat and looked away before hurrying her out of the doors towards the gardens, which were lit by beautiful lanterns. Elizabeth caught her breath, her eyes wide at the sight of such loveliness, realizing that what Lord Mallon had said about their host having beautiful gardens had been something of an underestimation. They were completely stunning.

“Alone, for a time at least,” Lord Mallon murmured softly. “My goodness, Elizabeth, we have had a strange path towards one another.”

To hear him use her name without its title came as something of a surprise to her, but as she looked at him, she realized that it was something she should expect. They were betrothed, after all.

“We have,” she said quietly. “I will confess to being rather relieved about it.”

His eyebrows rose. “You are?”

“Of course, I am,” she replied with a laugh. “I will not pretend that I have not been rather worried about meeting you. I had very little idea of your appearance and did not know whether or not you would have any inclination toward me.”

“I do not think that you need concern yourself in that particular regard any longer,” he murmured in a low voice, making her shiver with delicious anticipation. “You cannot be in any doubt as to how much I care for your company. You caught my eye the first time I saw you, and I have been unable to remove you from my thoughts since then.”

Elizabeth swallowed and looked up at him, caught by the dim light of the lanterns flickering across his strong features. “I feel the same way, Lord Mallon,” she managed to say, aware of just how hoarse her voice appeared to be. “I am already looking forward to developing a deep friendship with you.”

Lord Mallon smiled, walking her a little off the path and towards a darker part of the gardens. Elizabeth went willingly, her breath catching in her chest as he slipped one arm around her waist.

“I know we are not to speak of our betrothal until the Season is out,” he said softly, as they walked under a canopy of trees. “But I would like to propose to you sooner than that.”

Her heart quickened its pace. “I would be glad of that, Lord Mallon.”

“I will, of course, court you as I ought,” he continued, with a smile that infused his very words. “I believe that you are right to suggest that we get to know one another better, although I believe that a foundation has already begun. I do not delight in the prospect of waiting until the Season is almost at its conclusion before wedding plans can begin to be made. What say you to that, my dear?”

The warmth in his voice made her blush, the heat of his hand on her waist seeping into her skin. She was not used to being spoken to with such affection, and even though they had known one another only for a short time, it felt right to be addressed in such a way.

“I would be delighted whenever you choose to do so,” she said, her words caught by the gentle breeze as she spoke. “Although you need not go to such lengths, Lord Mallon. We are already betrothed.”

He shook his head. “Not in the way I would wish, Elizabeth. I will propose to you at the right time, once we have come to know one another better. I will do so in the knowledge that you will accept.”

Elizabeth found herself pressed back against a large tree trunk, her senses swimming. Was he about to kiss her? She found herself suddenly longing for it, a desire that she had never known before seeping into her veins.

And then a sudden thought struck her. Something she had to know before she allowed such an intimacy.

“I must ask,” she said breathlessly, as he came closer to her. “I must ask whether or not you intend to have any mistresses or the like.”

The warmth was gone from him in an instant. He stepped back, releasing her, and Elizabeth felt herself wince as she realized she had overstepped.

“A mistress?” he repeated, his voice empty of the warmth that had been there only moments ago. “Whatever makes you ask such a thing?”

Elizabeth began to stammer, her words flooding out over one another. “It is just that I know a great many gentlemen do such a thing, not that I am judging either them or their wives, you understand. It is just that, since we met, I have been aware of our connection, despite our betrothal, and….” She trailed off, realizing that she was not making much sense. “I suppose, Lord Mallon, I am asking such things because I wish to know what to expect from our marriage.”

Lifting her chin, Elizabeth did not shirk before him, nor did she retract her question. As far as she was concerned, she had every right to ask him such a thing, given that he was to be her husband for as long as they both had life. And to kiss a gentleman who had every intention of taking another when they wed was not something she was inclined to do.

He lifted his head and studied her, even though she could only see a glimpse of his face through the shifting shadows. She could not tell what he was thinking, whether he was angry with her or frustrated with himself.

“Elizabeth,” he said eventually, his voice low and firm. “You are quite correct in saying that we need to become better acquainted with one another. Had you known me better, you would have known that such a question did not even require asking.”

His hand touched hers, and she took it gladly, relieved that he had not become angry with her as she had thought he might do.

“I will never take a mistress, not for as long as we are wed,” he promised, his voice a little softer. “You need not fear, Elizabeth. Just as you are loyal to me, I am loyal to you. I will not pretend that I did not have some foolish encounters when I was a younger man, and indeed, if you have questions for me in that regard, I will do all I can to answer them honestly. However, I will be truthful and pledge to you that my hands will touch no other but you. My heart will be filled with none but you. You, Elizabeth, shall be my all.”

Elizabeth felt herself soften, the tension and worry she had felt flowing right out from her.

“I am very glad to hear it, Lord Mallon,” she replied softly. “Forgive me if I have offended you by asking such a question.”

“You did not offend me,” he stated, coming a little closer to her. “And I insist that you refer to me as Mallon, whenever we are alone. Or, you may also call me Luke, if you prefer a little more intimacy.”

Elizabeth blushed. “Thank you, my lord. I-I mean, Luke,” she said, testing out his name on her lips. “You are very kind, especially after so short an acquaintance.”

“But yet it feels as though I have known you for a long time,” he murmured, running one gentle finger down her soft cheek. “I feel as though I have carried you in my heart for so many years, as though I have always had you by my side.”

His lips touched hers, and Elizabeth tried to steady herself against the overwhelming feelings that ran through her body. Her fingers were clinging to the sides of his jacket, the length of her body pressed against his. There was no shame, no embarrassment, no thought that what they were doing was wrong. It felt entirely right and good and proper. As he deepened the kiss, Elizabeth gave herself up to the feelings he was pulling from her, delighted to know that this man would one day be her husband. They would share a life together. This was only the beginning.