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Augusta was not certain whether her friend was trying to make her feel better or not so she turned her attention back to the remnants of her cake.

“Augusta,” Joanna said.

She lifted her head. “Yes?”

“Is there a reason you have barely a word to say to me?”

Augusta glanced into Joanna’s knowing eyes. How she could appear knowing was beyond Augusta. There was certainly no chance Joanna really had any inkling of what occurred but her friend always proved extremely intuitive. After all, she had been the one to recognize that Chloe was in love with Brook while Augusta had not known such a thing until Chloe had admitted it herself.

Augusta blew out a breath. If she did not say something, she might very well explode, and she had little desire to lie to a friend. But would Joanna judge her poorly for her behavior? She had to hope not.

“Augusta?” Joanna prompted.

“I kissed Lord Ashwick,” she whispered, the words hurried.

“Pardon?”

Glancing around, Augusta patted her mouth with a napkin to mask the words. “I. Kissed. Miles.”

“Good Lord.”

Several heads spun in their direction and Joanna patted Augusta vigorously on the back. “Not to worry,” she said gaily, “just a little crumb. Scared us both.” Joanna leaned in toward her, keeping her voice low. “Of all the people to do such a thing, I never expected it to be you.”

“I never expected it to be me either,” Augusta muttered.

“When? How? Why?”

Augusta lifted a shoulder. “Out on the balcony. I do not really know how. Nor do I know why.”

“Good Lord,” Joanna repeated, albeit quietly this time. She pursed her lips. “Was it a good kiss?”

Augusta very nearly did choke on her cake this time. “Joanna!”

“Well, it seems a sensible question to ask. If it was not good, I would hardly think you would be sitting here, squirming as though you have a scandalous secret.”

“Itisa scandalous secret and it would be even if the kiss was terrible.”

“So it was not terrible?” Joanna waggled her eyebrows.

“Oh Lord…I should never have said a word.”

“Do not say that.” Joanna grasped Augusta’s hand. “Tell me, how was it? And how do you feel now?”

“It was…spectacular,” she admitted on a sigh. “And I feel terrible.”

“Spectacular,” Joanna echoed. “How wonderful.”

“It is not wonderful. I’m engaged to his brother for Goodness sakes,” she hissed.

“Well, if Henry did not want you kissing other men, he should be here, claiming you for himself.” Joanna pressed a finger to her lips. “Though, Lord Ashwick does have quite the reputation for being a naughty chap.”

“I do not think he is so naughty these days…”

“Still, it has to be more fun than waiting around for Henry.”

Augusta eyed her friend. “I really thought you would have something useful to say to me.”

Joanna laughed. “It seems that kiss has made you quite spirited. I rather like it.”