Kissing Comfort Read Free Page B

not include the name of our sainted guest of honor. When is he coming? Where has he been? Will he be surprised? What could have detained him?” Bram’s gaze slid from the fountain to Comfort. “I can tell you, Mother is mortified by his absence.”
    â€œYour mother is made of stronger stuff than that. I do not think she has the capacity for mortification.” Comfort was tempted to point out that it seemed to be a DeLong family trait. “Even if you’re right in this instance, Bram, what possessed you to make such an outrageous statement?”
    â€œDidn’t I just say? Everyone was talking about him. What is unreasonable about giving Mother’s guests something else to discuss? And if you’ll permit a small immodesty, I want to point out that Mother’s event has been saved by my quick thinking. Our engagement put her over the moon.”
    Comfort took a slow, calming breath and chose her words carefully. “I appreciate that you want her favor, but did you consider even for a moment what her reaction will be when our engagement is summarily ended?”
    Bram’s gaze sought out the fountain again.
    Comfort sighed. “I didn’t think so.” As there was nothing to say beyond that, Comfort simply joined Bram in his deep study of the torch-lit garden. She did not mind the silence settling between them, but experience told her it would be short-lived. Bram’s inclination was to fill the void.
    â€œSummarily,” he said. “Why summarily?”
    â€œPardon?” Her mistake, she supposed, was that she turned to look at him in the same moment his grin was breaking wide, changing his features from merely handsome to indecently so. His pale blue eyes met hers with unwavering directness and issued a challenge that still managed to be boyishly charming and full of mischief. She found herself asking the question she did not believe she had the courage to voice: “You intend our engagement to end, don’t you?”
    â€œOf course.”
    Comfort was glad that she had steeled herself for just such a careless reply. He’d answered with no discernable hesitation. It was better that way, she told herself. She had nothing to grasp at, nothing that she would question later and perhaps attempt to interpret as uncertainty on his part. If he were uncertain, she would have cause to hope. Nothing good could come of that.
    â€œThen summarily seems entirely appropriate,” she said. She was relieved to hear herself sound so sensible. She concentrated on schooling her expression to be equally imperturbable. “As we are in agreement that the engagement must end, it should be done without delay.”
    One corner of Bram’s mouth kicked up. Reaching out, he tapped Comfort on the tip of her nose with his index finger. “There it is again. Why should it be done without delay? Who says that’s the better course?”
    â€œI do.”
    â€œWell, yes, but I don’t think you’ve thought it through.”
    Indignation made Comfort stiffen. “ I haven’t thought it through? You’re saying that to me ?”
    Bram tapped her nose again. “Careful, dearest. You’ll put this out of joint, and your lovely countenance will not be improved for it.”
    She slapped his hand away. “Stop acting the fool, Bram. I am angry with you. Do not test the limits of my patience.”
    Dutifully dropping his arm back to his side, Bram stood sharply at attention. Although he made the effort, he could not quite manage to affect a contrite mien. His mouth twitched.
    Comfort stared at him. He’d recently run his fingers through his blond thatch of hair, and she quelled the urge to make the unruly runnels right again. Her fingers curled into loose fists at her side.
    â€œIf it will make you feel better,” he said, “you can blacken my eye.”
    â€œDo not tempt me.” She relaxed her hands. “What makes you think