The Fifth Kiss — Elizabeth Mansfield

A shocking declaration

The fist of Miles, Earl of Langley, smashed down, overturning the crystal decanter and causing Olivia to jump at her brother-in-law's sudden fury.

"How dare you sermonize about my character as a husband and father! Confound your damned spinster meddling!"

Before Olivia had recovered, Miles had seized a handful of her curls and forced her to face him.

"What you need," her brother-in-law growled, "is a man-a husband-who'd handle you as a wench should be handled-like this!"

In a flash, the world was different. His lips pressed to hers, she seemed to be living through a storm or a tidal wave. In the instant before she gave herself to the surging of her blood, she thought: Does one, could one, survive?