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She held out her hand; he kissed it with affectionate gallantry.

—Pride and Prejudice

KITTY DONNED HER favorite pink afternoon dress, the one with the embroidered flowers along the sleeves and hem.

Augustus said it was precisely the color of her lips after she’d been thoroughly kissed.

The dress had been her favorite before he told her that, but now she loved it for new and more interesting reasons.

When her hair was pinned back the way she liked it best, she put on her shoes and went to the foyer to wait for Mrs. Gordon.

The woman’s voice preceded her down the stairs. “Kitty, do not make us late, dear.”

As if once in all the days and weeks and months of their time together, Kitty had been the late one. She smiled to think of it.

With a bustle and a string of last-minute directions to her lady’s maid, Mrs. Gordon arrived in the foyer.

“Ah, there you are. And looking quite pretty. I do like the color of that dress, dear.”

Kitty couldn’t help it. She touched her mouth. “Thank you. I think it suits me.”

Mrs. Gordon was already sweeping her way out the door and toward the waiting carriage. Kitty followed and seated herself before the older woman had settled completely.

The drive to the Haverfords’ home was one Kitty had taken often over the summer, but she felt the same bubble of excitement she felt the first time Augustus had invited her to his home. Each time he greeted her at the door, her skin tingled with the thrill of seeing his welcoming smile.

Could anything ruin the perfect happiness of attending his mother’s summer soiree with Augustus?

Almost nothing.

Except for the understanding that her Season in London was coming to an end.

Kitty knew she must go back to her family’s home in only a week. But whether she grumbled or cried or wallowed in sadness, the week would pass. She decided to allow it to pass in as much gladness as she could experience.

The driver pulled the horses to a stop in front of the Haverfords’ house, and Kitty slipped from her seat and looked toward the door.

There he waited, as if none of the other guests were even visible to him. Kitty took Mrs. Gordon’s arm, but they’d only begun to approach the door when Augustus was at her side.

“Ladies, you are both most welcome here.” He pressed a kiss to the back of Mrs. Gordon’s hand and then to Kitty’s.

She was pleased to note that her kiss was longer and came with a decided wink.

Augustus placed himself between Mrs. Gordon and Kitty, holding an arm out to each. As soon as they’d gone through the house and into the back garden, he released the older woman and turned all his attention to Kitty.

“You’re radiant.” His eyes told her exactly how much he liked the look of her. His smile reminded her how happy they made each other feel.

“You look rather dashing yourself.”

He made a waving motion with his hand as if to brush away the compliment. “Only now that you’re here. I’ve been moping terribly all morning.”

She pulled his arm closer. “Are you suggesting you’ve missed me?”

He led her around a hedge in the garden. “Nothing of the kind. I’m stating it right out. I always miss you when you’re not with me. I can hardly bear to think of you leaving London.”

Kitty sighed. “Gus, we’ve discussed this. We can’t prevent or delay, so we may as well accept it. In the meantime, I demand we behave as if we’re as happy as ever.”

Augustus shook his head, his face rather serious. “I can’t agree to your demands.”

Kitty put her hands on her hips and tried to match his expression. She failed. Her smile was growing by the minute. She loved how Augustus spoke to her, laughed with her, played with her.

“Do you have a different suggestion?” Her head tilted to the side in a way she knew he loved. Such a gesture often resulted in a kiss on the side of her neck.

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Augustus reached into his pocket and pulled out a box about the size of his hand. He handed it to her. “Open it.”

She untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.

Inside was a toy fox, its reddish-brown fur lightened to white at the tips of its ears and tail.

Augustus spoke in a soft, gentle voice. “The day I met you, you were chasing a fox. I believe I said something scandalous about a woman on the hunt.”

She laughed at the memory.

He lifted the small toy from the box. “In fact, from that day until now, I’ve been hunting for something myself. And now I’ve found it.”

“It’s perfect,” she said, a small sting growing behind her eyes. “It will help me remember this summer every time I look at it.”

Augustus shook his head. “The fox isn’t what I’ve been seeking.”

She looked up at him. “It’s not?”

“This is.” He untied the red velvet bow at the fox’s neck. Something glinted in the sunlight.

Before Kitty knew exactly what was happening, Augustus slid a filigreed silver band onto her finger.

He took both her hands in his. “I can’t bear the thought of you leaving without any idea of when I’ll see you again.

So I’m asking you to tell me when I may follow you to your family’s home.

When I may speak to your father. When I may ask you to come back to the city with me to spend the rest of our lives together. ”

Her happiness bubbled up from inside her and escaped as a laugh. “I think now is a good time for you to ask me.”

His serious expression melted into the most delighted smile. Kitty loved that smile.

Augustus wrapped his arms around her, drew her close, and whispered into her ear, “Kitty, will you be mine?”

She turned her face upward, feeling the sunlight across her face, and said, “I will, if you’ll be mine as well.”

“Forever.”

They sealed their promise with what was certain not to be their last joyful, delighted kiss.