Page 44 of A Spinster's Guide to Landing a Lyon

Arabella’s eyes widened in alarm. Her extended arms collapsed and smacked into the sides of her legs. “The Duke of Westshire?” she barely spoke the words they were so hushed.

“Yes,” Amelia nodded gravely. “I’m sorry. I know how much you hate him—”

“I can’t believe this.”

“I’m so sorry. I tried to get you out of it. I tried…to buy you a better man.” The words sounded like failure.

But Arabella wasn’t paying her any mind. She was just mumbling repetitively as if in a frozen state. “I can’t believe this…”

Then, she watched her sister turn the slowest turn and walk out of the room like she was walking in a dream.

“I should go after her.”

“Yes. Perhaps you should. That did not go very well.”

“I thought it was going to go worse actually.”

“Really?”

“If I’m being perfectly honest, I thought she was going to jump on a horse and ride off.”

“Is he that bad?”

Amelia only shrugged. She didn’t fully understand the relationship—if one could call it that—between Arabella and Nicholas, so it was better not to say anything.

“I’ll just give her a moment alone.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s for the best.”

His lips kicked up into a smile. “How fortuitous for me.” He pulled her in close. “That means we will be alone for a few minutes.”

Distracted by her sister’s troubles, she murmured back, “Hmm?”

“We’re alone now,” he nuzzled into her ear.

She turned to him, catching his eyes. His smoldering eyes. Eyes that dipped to take in her decolletage.

And then it was just the two of them in the room. Perhaps in the whole country. She saw only him and wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m so glad you bought me,” he whispered teasingly in her ear.

“Mmm…and I’m so glad you chose me.”

“Easiest decision of my life.”

And then she made the easiest decision of her life and kissed him. And she didn’t stop.