Desperate and Daring 02 - Belle of the Ball by Ella J. Quince Page A

it leads.” Lord Marcus tugged her in the shadow of the octopus and there was indeed a gate hidden in a cascade of ivy.
    “I never would have seen it. What excellent vision you have,” Anabelle said in astonishment.
    Lord Marcus looked about quickly as he pushed it open and ushered her through.
    Anabelle was perplexed by the sudden change of events but remained calm. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for, and she was glad that Lord Marcus was taking the initiative finally. It was much darker on the other side of the wall and the surrounding foliage, not as tamed. Anabelle lifted her skirts to keep them from dragging in the dirt. She stepped away from the gate and stopped. Lord Marcus seemed apprehensive.
    “Anabelle… May I call you Anabelle?”
    Anabelle nodded.
    “It would please me to hear you use mine privately, though I suppose until now, we have never been private. I hope I have not offended you.”
    “It’s quite all right, Thomas.” Anabelle hoped her hesitation wasn’t evident in her voice. Things were going exactly as she wished them to, but something was lacking and she knew exactly what it was. She was nervous, but not in that excited, heat of the moment way. It was like tasting a dish one wasn’t certain they were going to enjoy.
    Lord Marcus stepped closer and took her hands. “I haven’t frightened you, have I?”
    “No.” Anabelle smiled.
    “I’ve had the honor of spending a great deal of time with you these past two weeks. I hope you have enjoyed my company, as well.”
    “I have,” Anabelle assured him. He looked very nervous now and she found it endearing.
    “I want to assure you that I have the utmost respect for you and I would officially like to ask your father for permission to court you,” he blurted.
    Anabelle put a finger to his lips. She didn’t know what to say at first, but there was one thing she needed to know before they could go any further. “May I make one small request?”
    He nodded enthusiastically.
    “I’ve given marriage and courtship a lot of thought. I know what I want from a husband. To truly know if we will be suitable, and if we should continue in that manner, I think …” Her courage failed her.
    “Yes?”
    She took a deep breath. “I think you should kiss me.”
    He didn’t respond at first. “It would be my honor.” He leaned forward.
    “Wait—” Anabelle stopped him. “I know this is terribly forward of me, but you must understand why. It is a marriage of love and passion I seek, and if I don’t feel a modicum of emotion from a kiss then…” She felt a humiliated blush climb her neck. How could she have said such things?”
    Lord Marcus cocked his head to the side. “I think I understand you.”
    “I’m not asking you to profess your love for me,” Anabelle clarified, “but I think if two people are meant to be together, then there will be great emotion felt when even a simple kiss is shared.” Even as she said the words, she knew she would feel nothing when Lord Marcus kissed her. If she had already felt she had to explain it to him, then she was already doomed to not feel it. The something she was looking for just wasn’t there. She was trying to force it and it took all the joy from it.
    “I agree with what you are saying.”
    Anabelle nodded. She had run out of words. All that was left was the doomed kiss.
    “May I kiss you now?” he asked tenderly.
    Anabelle nodded again. He didn’t pull her close or even step closer to her. With a single finger, he tipped up her chin and set his lips to hers, and Anabelle felt… nothing. Well, not nothing exactly. His lips were soft and nicely formed. The kiss was not demanding or overly assertive. He pulled away and her eyes popped open. She felt no urgency for another, no desire for a deeper thorough kiss. She released her held breath in a weary sigh. Her search would continue.
    Lord Marcus didn’t look impressed either. “That was… nice.”
    Anabelle wanted to laugh but