It was not with a little trepidation that Preston entered Gowthorpe's library a short while later. He wasn't sure what he had hoped to accomplish by following Amelia to the ball, but he knew this definitely wasn't it. Adrian was his best friend, and he always enjoyed his company, but for possibly the first time in his life, he wished the man had not shown up. Maybe he should be grateful they had not been kissing. Finding him leaning close to Amelia whispering in her ear wasn't much better, though. Such familiarity was definitely not proper.

The Warble siblings were arguing when he entered the room, but stopped when they heard the soft click of the door closing behind him. As they turned towards him, it struck him how similar they were in both looks and personality. They had the same dark brown hair and brown eyes, and they both enjoyed a good laugh. He supposed it was no wonder he enjoyed the company of both. Though Amelia's in a far different way to her brother's.

Adrian crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at Preston, his brow furrowed. "Care to explain what's going on?" he asked.

"Not particularly," Preston admitted honestly, earning him a glare. His friend did not appreciate his humour today.

"Because it looked to me like you were trying to seduce my sister." One of Adrian's arms flung out to point toward Amelia. "My sister, Leighton! You usually steer clear of debutantes for the same reasons I do, so to think you would so easily dishonour my sister is beyond belief!"

"Then don't believe it," Preston muttered, then as Adrian's face darkened and he took a step towards him, he quickly added, "Because I never would, dammit! I don't know what Richmond told you, but I made it clear to him that my intentions towards Amelia are honourable."

"That's not what it looked like."

Considering what he had been whispering in Amelia's ear, Preston wasn't surprised. Honourable might be pushing it. He wanted to do many wicked things with her. A quick glance confirmed that she still hovered behind her brother, her eyes narrowed as she watched their argument. He suspected she did not enjoy being spoken about as if she wasn't there.

"I wish to court her," he said. "I've been asking her permission to do so." That wasn't too far from the truth.

"Court her?" Adrian let out a surprised bark of laughter. "But she's my sister!"

"I'm aware of that. Despite that one flaw of character—" He paused for a moment as Amelia snorted with laughter, then continued, "I'm rather fond of her."

"You are not nearly as amusing as you think you are," Adrian muttered. "But fine. You wish to court her. You cannot."

Preston straightened as he met his friend's icy stare. "I am rather tired of being told who I can and cannot court. The only one whose opinion I care about in this regard is Amelia's."

"You're a rake!" Adrian spat.

"So are you! The day you wish to court a lady, I hope her family is less judgemental about your past than you are about mine."

They stared at each other for several breaths and Preston couldn't help but wonder if his friend would punch him. Adrian groaned. "I see your point," he said. "But I struggle to see you with Amelia. She's my sister, dammit, and I don't want her with a rake."

"I think she should be allowed to choose for herself." He could only hope she would choose him.

Adrian turned to his sister. She looked like a deer caught in the hunter's aim. "Amelia? Do you want Leighton to be allowed to court you?"

"I... We..."

Her words stalled, and Preston's stomach plummeted. Maybe attraction was the only thing she felt for him. The rake was good for no more than a few kisses, after all.

"Never mind," he muttered. "I suppose that is the answer I needed."

Without waiting, he turned around and exited the library, leaving the two siblings behind. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting. Had it not been enough of a hint when Amelia kept running away from him whenever he confessed to his feelings? Bloody hell, what a fool he'd been.

Not wanting to rejoin the other guests in the ballroom, he walked in the opposite direction and was about to turn a corner when Amelia's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Preston!"

He closed his eyes. He wasn't sure he wanted to see her right now. Didn't want to hear her excuses for why she didn't want him. Didn't want her pity. Her steps echoed down the hallway behind him, and a moment later, she came around to face him. With a sigh, he opened his eyes to meet her gaze.

"Let's talk." She glanced down the hallway behind him, presumably to make sure Adrian wasn't following, then ushered him around the corner and down another hall.

"I'm not sure I want to," he muttered. But he still followed her.

She opened a door and let out a sigh of relief as it turned out to be a small reception room. They entered, and she closed the door behind them, leaning against it. Preston walked into the middle of the room before turning back to look at her.

"I don't want your pity," he said when she opened her mouth to speak. "Don't give me platitudes about how I will find someone else. I have no interest in anyone else. And also, I'm a grown man and I will get over this given time."

Her brow furrowed. "So you really do love me?"

"Bloody hell, Amelia!" He threw his arms out in frustration. "Why do you think I've been telling you I do?"

"I..." She made a small grimace. "I thought you were doing it out of some misguided honour after kissing me. Since you've been very clear about not wanting to risk my reputation."

He stared at her for a moment, then chuckled. "Hell. Amelia, I'm not that honourable. Like you enjoy reminding me, I am a rake."

"A rake who claims he would never ruin anyone. And yet you have been quite close to ruining me," she pointed out.

A grin spread across his face at her sweet innocence. "Sweetheart, while those were some amazing kisses that would definitely have ruined your reputation had someone found out... That was far from ruining you."

"Really?" A glint of curiosity sparked to life in her eyes. "I must admit to knowing little of the final act. No one will tell me. They all say I will find out once I'm married. I assumed kissing was a significant part of it, considering how scandalous it is for an unmarried woman to kiss someone."

He should stay away from her. Especially if she didn't want to be his wife. But his feet moved of their own volition, bringing him closer to her where she remained at the door. "There's quite a lot more to it," he said.

Tilting her head to the side, she looked at him. "Such as?"

He groaned. "Amelia... I really should not speak to you of such things."

"Why not?" she grumbled. "No one else will. How will I know what to avoid if no one will tell me?"

Unable to resist her allure, he took the few steps separating them, coming to stand in front of her. She tilted her head to look up at him, and he wished he knew what she was thinking. What she wanted. No matter what, she was making no effort to move away from him. He lifted his hand to trace her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb, his eyes following the movement. She had a beautiful mouth. Soft and full, with a marked bow.

"You'd do well to stay away from all of it," he mumbled, even as his other hand came up to rest on her waist. He wanted to pull her close, to show her exactly what she should avoid, but that would be madness. Why was he punishing himself? And yet, he could not force himself to pull away from her. Not when her soft lips opened on a shaky breath, the hot air brushing over his knuckles.

Her eyes met his, and as he pulled his hand back, her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Damn, he should have stayed on the other side of the room.

"'All of it' is rather vague, don't you think?"

He cocked an eyebrow at her question. She was challenging him. Taunting him. He should not raise to the bait. He knew better. She knew better. This was a dangerous game they were playing.

Knowing he would do better to leave the room, he lowered his head until their noses nearly touched. "Would you like a demonstration?"

~~~~~~