Abigail's Secret (A Whimsical Select Romance Novella) by Tamara Ternie Page B

forego other interesting prospects,” he said nodding in her direction.  “A man would much rather acquire what he desires from within a woman than what is visible from the outside.”
    “ Bosh!  You dare profess that her weight was never an issue with you?” she laughed her disbelief.
    “Believe what you will, Miss Abilene.  You weren’t there, I was.”
    “Well, my dear cousin has told me enough that I feel that I was present during that time.  You broke her heart, and I don’t recall her ever mentioning that you professed your undying love to her.  And she most definitely didn’t mention a letter.”
    “I never claimed that I loved her,” Brice corrected.  “I thought she was intelligent , loyal, and witty, and at one point I did consider a serious interest in her.”
    She wanted to believe him.  “Then pray tell, what changed your mind?” she asked softly.
    “As I stated, that is a conversation that would be best if partaken with Abigail.  I believe there has been a misunderstanding.  I’m now left wondering if Thomas withheld my letter to her.”
    “Indeed,” Abigail sighed. “He very well may have,” she said.  Thomas was well aware how she felt about Brice.  It seemed unlikely that he’d keep something of such importance from her and wondered if Brice was fibbing.  She was determined to make her way home and demand answers.  Then a telling thought occurred to her.  What was Brice’s purpose when trying to kiss her if he was honestly fond of Tess?
    “You nearly kissed me,” she blurted out before she thought better of it.
    A boyish grin emerged and a twinkle met his eye.  “Indeed, I nearly did.  But it’s rightly scandalous for you to say it aloud,” he said feigning his shock. 
    Abigail felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. “If you have true feelings for Abigail, then what, may I ask, was the purpose of trying to kiss me?”
    “ I reckon that was me leaving my options open for other interesting prospects.”
    “You expect me to compete for your affections against my cousin?” she asked.  She was aghast at such an indecent notion.
    Brice smiled wide and nodded his head.
    “You presume that I’m willing to chase you whilst you are in pursuit of Abigail?”
    “I wouldn’t be so audacious to state it so blatantly, but your assessment is accurate.”
    Abigail’s mouth opened wide at Brice’s nerve.  There wasn’t any way he could have been taken seriously, surely there wasn’t, Abigail thought. “It would appear you are more full of yourself that I first thought, Mister Brice Winslow.  I shall not now or ever pursue you.”
    Brice laughed aloud and snatched her up into his arms .  It caught her by surprise.  He looked down into her face and stared deep into her eyes.  She struggled to pull away from him at first, but Abigail stopped her fight and clutched onto his shoulders for balance.  She couldn’t decide if his boldness excited or scared her, or perhaps a little of both.  A piece of her chestnut hair fell onto her face and he brushed it away with his fingertip, sending a course of chills through her body.  His breath came sweet and soft on her cheek when he leaned down near her ear and whispered, “We’ll see about that.”  He pulled away far enough to look into her eyes and Abigail felt weak from head to foot.  She struggled to keep her breath steady so she wouldn’t give her anxiety away.  That’s when it happened. 
    He kissed her.
    She squirmed against him and tried to break free, but the smoothness of his lips brushing against her own like fine silk lessened her fight.  It was her very first kiss.  More so, it was with the man she’d fancied herself in love with for more years than she cared to remember.  That’s when she concluded that she ought to be enjoying the moment instead of rebelling against him.  She raised her hands to either side of his face and let her fingers entwine within his black mane of hair. Offering him no