Chapter 10Many a woman has been ruined by a single kiss.
Lady Whistledown's Society Papers,14 May 1813
Simon wasn't sure at what moment he knew he was going to kiss her. It was probably something he never knew, just something he felt.
Up until that very last minute he'd been able to convince himself that he was only pulling her behind the hedge to scold her, upbraid her for careless behavior that would only land both of them in serious trouble.
But then something had happened, or maybe it had been happening all along, and he'd just been trying too hard not to notice it. Her eyes changed; they almost glowed. And she opened her mouth, just the tiniest bit, barely enough for a breath, but it was enough that he couldn't take his eyes off of her.
His hand snaked up her arm, over the pale s
