Love at First Laugh: Eight Romantic Novellas Filled with Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After Read online

  “You’re going to bring out the best in the Elliott Elizabeth Inn.” She pressed her shoulder into his. “I have no doubt.”

  “I couldn’t have envisioned any of it without your inspiration. We make a great team, Miss Simeon.”

  She allowed his comment to simmer over the sweet hum of attraction.

  Oh, yes, indeed. Team Romance.

  “You’re smart. You would have figured it out. Having a finger on the pulse of the culture and history, celebrating the uniqueness of where you are, that creates a special atmosphere. And people enjoy revisiting a place with atmosphere.”

  “And color.” He nudged her shoulder with his.

  “Definitely color.”

  They stopped as he pulled out his keycard for the door.

  “And if you have other Elliott Elizabeth Inns in the future, you can keep the ‘classics’ theme throughout. Open an inn near London? Maybe you could pull from Charles Dickens’ books. Choose a place in Yorkshire? Feature a Bronte-sisters theme.”

  “You’re pretty smart too.” He paused in opening the door and peered down at her. So close.

  And then time slowed down.

  Ethan’s attention dropped to her lips. Her breath hitched. Her lips tingled with a nonverbal request. Every good daydream deserved a kiss or two—for safe keeping. The air thickened with anticipation.

  “Nora?”

  Her gaze dropped to the origin of her name. His mouth. “Mmmhmm?”

  He dipped closer, his face so close she closed her eyes in delicious expectancy of the zing in his touch.

  “Mr. Keller?”

  Nora’s eyes shot wide and she turned toward the voice along with Ethan. One of the hotel clerks walked toward them, attention trained on Ethan, her beautiful accent floating her words in an almost ethereal fashion. “I have some good news. One of our best rooms has become available and it has been reserved for the remainder of your stay in Bath.”

  Was that frown on his handsome face disappointment? A wonderful thrill tremored down her spine. Yep, her lips wanted the same thing.

  “Thank you, Laura.” He took the keycard.

  “It’s on the top floor. Fantastic vistas. The best in the inn. We can have your luggage moved to your room at once.”

  He glanced down at Nora. The longing in his amazing eyes nudged her to take his hand for, at least, some physical contact. “Best view in the inn. How can you turn that down?”

  He leaned close, until his lips brushed the side of her cheek. “I already have the best view in the inn.”

  Her knees nearly buckled as a wonderful spray of warmth spilled down her neck and chest. Sweet daydream. Oh, so sweet.

  With another lingering look, he turned to the clerk. “Thank you again, Laura. My bags are ready.”

  “Very good, sir. I’ll collect them now.”

  Her gaze bounced between the two of them until they separated so she could slip into the room.

  “Well, at least you’ll be out of bonnet-reach. That’s gotta make you feel safer.”

  His gaze found hers. “I have an important business dinner on Wednesday night with Mr. Timothy Steele, the former owner of Elizabeth Elliot Inn.” He edged closer. “Come with me?”

  “What?”

  “I’m trying to make the transition to new ownership positive, while respecting this building’s legacy, particularly as a courtesy to my uncle’s friendship with Mr. Steele. Come share all of your ideas. Explain your thoughts about tapping into the culture to create an atmosphere celebrating Bath and the people here. Tell him about your family’s work.” He seized her hand again, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “Since I’m bringing Timothy onto the board for this facility, and since I love your ideas, I’d like for him to help pair your creativity with a firm history of this place. Your thoughts would encourage him, I’m sure. We’re a great team, remember?”

  Okay, this guy kept getting better and better. Definitely daydream material. “Um…okay. I’ll be happy to.”

  “Besides,” his gaze dropped to her lips. “I think we have some unfinished business of our own.”

  Chapter 6

  By the time Nora finished two walking tours, one minibus tour, a lecture on hats, and a discussion on the behind-the-scenes filming of a recent Jane Austen adaptation, her body ached for a long bath and deep sleep. She’d had difficulty falling to sleep the previous night, whether from missing her roommate’s snoring, or smell, or from the unrequited kiss, she wasn’t sure. Maybe all three.

  She’d missed their over-the-pillow-wall talks, but at least her books provided consolation in the form of Darcy and Knightley and Tilney and Farris. Ethan was still reading her copy of Wentworth—her favorite Austen hero because underneath all the brooding beat a faithful, gentle and strong heart.

  A man who’d pursue her despite her fumbling and mistakes.

  What woman wouldn’t swoon over someone like him?

  Thankfully, she’d chosen to dress in civilian attire for the day because the September afternoon hit an unexpected high for England. She still wore a hat— a more modern one but with an impressive brim nonetheless—and her teal tunic carried a certain elegance in its flowing style.

  She’d barely made it to the bottom of the grand staircase when Ethan appeared at her side. He’d worn a tie today. A blast of ravishing red, like the blush in her cheeks as his palm went to her waist. “You’re in late tonight.”

  How on earth was she supposed to talk when he stood so close and smelled so good? “I sat through this interesting video about the making of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”

  His laugh burst out like a cough. “Did you say zombies?”

  “Oh yes.” She rolled her eyes. “For the purists, it’s sacrilegious, but the author has a great sense of humor about it.” Enjoy the journey…? She drew in a calming breath and slid her arm through Ethan’s as they started up the stairs. “If you’re a blood-and-guts kind of movie watcher, you might like the movie adaptation of the book.”

  “You’ve watched it then?”

  “Sure. You might be surprised to know that I’m also a big fan of espionage movies.”

  “You’re full of surprises.”

  They topped the stairs, reaching the long hallway leading to her room. He followed along. A sweet shimmy tingled down her spine. “Did you come to see me because you’re missing my snoring?”

  His quick grin teased a longer look. “Well, it is kind of hypnotic.”

  She stopped in front of her door and removed her keycard, embracing the temporary, but wonderful flirtation. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  He looked heavenward as if pondering her statement and then fastened those amazing eyes back on hers. “Nope, I can safely say you’re the first.”

  “Well, at least I’m memorable.” She waved the keycard in the air as she talked. “As if vomiting on our first meeting, sharing a room, having a life-threatening bonnet, and dressing in Regency isn’t enough to be memorable already.” She placed her key in the card slot and donned her most innocent voice. “By the way, I have a hat-making class tomorrow. You should totally come. Create-your-own-weapon day.”

  His full laugh brought her gaze back to his, captured in the handsome glow. “That bonnet is quite the sight.”

  “Oh, come on, you’d look great in Regency attire.” Her gaze traveled from his torso down to his feet, appreciating every part. “I’d love to see you in a cutaway jacket and a pair of breeches.” She had not said that out loud, had she? Her face blazed hot. “Um…you could get the full Regency experience.”

  He halved the distance between them, gaze dark and dangerously magnetizing. “Right now, I’m not as interested in the Regency experience as I am in something altogether different.”

  Her hand clicked the door open from the pressure of her grip as he shifted nearer, bringing his intoxicating scent with him. Her voice closed around a whisper, mouth tingling with anticipation. “A cravat would look super too.”

  His lips twitched
with a smile before coming to rest on hers—a brush of skin-on-skin, whetting her appetite for more. Her entire body stilled, every sense paying rapt attention to the soft caress. His woodsy scent surrounded her as his palm dropped to her waist and drew her closer. Kisses. She loved kisses—and had been out of practice for much too long.

  Her hand touched his cheek, encouraging the sudden intake of his breath, and the kiss transitioned from pliant to firm. Every muscle in her body offered a proper swoon. The keycard slipped from her other hand.

  What care I for keycards when there is such a man?

  The sound of voices from down the hallway inspired caution, but Nora had no intention of ending a kiss so rare and wonderful. Not yet. Especially since she hadn’t experienced one in over four years.

  Without breaking lip-contact, she grabbed Ethan by the tie and pulled him inside her room. He seemed to appreciate the gesture because his hands encircled her waist and drew her flush against him, entrapping her in the most delightful way—which was fine because her muscles caught up with the swoon and completely gave way.

  He kissed like she imagined Mr. Darcy would, and laughed like Mr. Tilney ought. Heaven help her, she was in love.

  Her fingers reached into his hair, so soft and thick, encouraging him to finish strong. If this glorious daydream ended in a few days, for heaven’s sake, she was going to create enough memories to last a lifetime. Or at least until God sent another swoony man in her general direction.

  He drew back, resting his forehead against hers, eyes closed. “That was—”

  “Not Regency appropriate at all.” His gaze shot wide and she grinned. “Which makes me super glad to be a twenty-first century gal because I’m going to relive this moment for years to come.”

  “I’m ready to relive it right now.”

  Which he proceeded to do with such thoroughness, Nora finally understood the full meaning of the word ‘ardent’.

  His palm caressed her cheek as he trailed a row of kisses to the sensitive spot below her ear. “How ironic that the very time I want to room with you, we are in separate rooms.”

  The heat of his breath took a detour down her neck and lit a responsive fire, and the temperature of the room took a significant upswing. Have mercy!

  “Absence makes the heart grow fonder?”

  “Oh, Nora.” Her name on his lips, the hooded look in his eyes, sent her thoughts in a very dastardly direction. “When I’m fond of someone, absence is the last thing I want.”

  He kissed her until her body hummed with requests it shouldn’t make without a wedding ring. The man said delightfully devilish things, and just when she thought she might need divine intervention to turn her thoughts in a less carnal direction, he brought the kiss to a beautiful close by tucking her deep within his embrace.

  A sweet hug.

  She rested her cheek against his shoulder, stuffing down the desire to give in to hopes for more time; an opportunity to deepen this relationship. She sighed out the fight, coaxing her heart away from the glorious edge.

  She would not be a one-night stand or a widow of what-might-have-beens. She’d take today and this breathtaking moment for what it was. Life had taught her to capture them and tuck them away for leaner times.

  “Well, that’s the best end of a day I’ve had in a long time.” She breathed in his scent.

  “Me too.” He stroked his palm down her hair, his words spilling warmth over her head. “I’d best be going.”

  But he didn’t move. She didn’t help at all, holding on like a koala. What would Jane do? Nora grimaced. The right thing. She preferred imagining what Catherine Moreland might do.

  With the fluidity of separating Velcro, she pulled away from the cocoon of his arms. Her Jane heart overrode her wandering Catherine mind. “We have dinner tomorrow, right?”

  “Mmmhmm.” His gaze roved her face, sending not-so-hidden messages too tender to ignore. Her heart lurched forward, craving the sweetness, the invitation to fall in love again. “I’ll meet you in the lobby at seven?”

  She nodded, pinching her emotions closed with such force it hurt. Maybe she wasn’t made for passing fancies or simple flirtations. She wanted to jump all in, head first, and drown in cologne and cerulean blue and kisses that left her swooning for days.

  She wasn’t a see-you-next-time kind of girl. She was a happily-ever-after kind of girl.

  He released her and stepped back toward the door. “Good night, Nora.”

  She pressed her fist to her chest, unable to still the flutter at the whisper of his voice. “Good night, Ethan.”

  Ethan sighed back in the lobby chair, resting for a few minutes before meeting Nora. The final discussions and plans for the first Elliott Elizabeth Inn were coming to a quick pinnacle, with many decisions to be made within the next few days. But then Ethan would have the opportunity for some leisure. Maybe he could take his vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains before returning to Bath…?

  His thoughts dipped into the memory of last night’s kiss, as they’d done the entire day. Refreshing. Enticing. And when she’d pulled him by the tie? Even now he almost groaned from the sheer pleasure of it.

  He’d had his fair share of relationships, but something sweet hovered over his conversations and time with Nora. A friendship. He smiled.

  Something meant for forever.

  A movement on the stairs pulled his gaze up and brought him to his feet. Nora descended, wreathed in smiles, all of her glorious hair piled atop her head in wisps of curls, a few spirals framing her face. Her pink fairy-like dress floated around her from her shoulders to her knees, cinched with a little sash at the waist.

  He moved to the bottom of the stairs to meet her. “You look beautiful.”

  “Have I overdone it?” She glanced down at her ensemble and back to him, a pucker of doubt forming on her brow. “I have a tendency to tilt the scales more toward princess when I should be thinking casual.”

  “I’d rather you overdo it if this is the result.”

  Her grin perked. “You are just full of sweet things to say.”

  “You must inspire me.” He offered his arm. “I’m usually not very eloquent.”

  “I doubt that.” She walked in step with him, wrapping him in her apricot-scented closeness. “For you to be such a successful businessman, you have to exude a little charm on occasion.”

  He escorted her to the waiting car. “My uncle is the expert charmer.”

  “You know how the Wi-Fi has been so tricky at the inn?” She asked once he took the driver’s seat.

  “Yes. Which I’m working on, by the way.”

  “Of course, you are.” She grinned, eyes glimmering with complete confidence. Faith like that did a man’s heart good. “Well, I finally was able to get in another phone call with my parents last night and gathered more juicy details about their connection with your uncle.”

  “He said he met them at a business convention.”

  “Right. About six weeks before my birthday. My mother is lavish in praise of all things rich and charming.”

  “And my uncle loves being adored.”

  “So, I think she and your uncle must have become quick friends. In the process, she told him she was trying to finalize a gift for my birthday, but—”

  “All the rooms were sold out.” He nodded, finishing the story. “After my uncle returned to the office, he remembered his purchase of the Elliot Elizabeth Inn. His matchmaking bug bit, and here we are.”

  Her smile softened. “Here we are.”

  He squeezed her hand then focused on the drive, still uncertain about the English side of the road.

  Timothy Steele’s small manor house stood in a valley surrounded by rolling hills on all sides. An arbor of trees framed their approach up the driveway to reveal a sweeping three story home of gray stone. The stables had been converted into a garage, but someone had taken painstaking care to keep the original look of the house in every way, even down to the appearance of the garage doors.

 
“I get the feeling your Mr. Steele may love history as much as me.”

  Ethan brought the car to a stop. “I have a feeling you two are going to hit it off.”

  Mr. Steele’s butler escorted them down the hallway where Lydia greeted them, her simple black dress sleek and flattering to her tall, curvy frame.

  But she had nothing on his date.

  “Welcome, Miss Simeon.” Lydia turned her pale eyes to him, her face softening into a smile he couldn’t quite interpret. “Ethan.”

  “Lydia.” He nodded.

  “Mr. Steele will meet us in the dining room. His doctor suggests he limit his time out of bed, so he plans to dine with us, and then we shall carry out the rest of our discussion afterwards. Please follow me.”

  Timothy looked somewhat stronger today than he had the last two days. He stood slowly to greet them, taking Nora’s hand as he rose. “We’ve heard much about you, Miss Simeon.”

  Her face flushed with a most becoming rush of color and her smile spread as she shot Ethan a glance. “I don’t know how much you should believe, Mr. Steele. Consider your source.”

  He offered a weak chuckle and gestured for them to take seats. “Your response confirms his truthfulness, Miss Simeon.”

  “Please, call me Nora.”

  “And you may call me Timothy.” He turned to Lydia. “You’ve met my assistant, Lydia? She’s my niece and faithful assistant. Our inn has been a solid place for her to begin her career in hopes of leading her to bigger opportunities. Family business—as I understand you know quite well.”

  “One of my favorite topics, actually.” She turned her beautiful smile on Lydia, who didn’t reciprocate. Ethan shook his head. No comparison between the two at all. He’d stick with the color and life.

  “And I’ve learned so much from starting with my family’s business. The world is built on humble beginnings for the most part, Timothy. Don’t you think?” Nora’s voice rang out with confidence. “Humble beginnings have a beautiful way of opening the imagination for greater things.”

  “Indeed.”

  Nora’s face flushed again and she lowered her eyes to the table. It was a unique perspective to observe her humble confidence and interest as a bystander instead of in conversation with her. She remained the same. No duplicity. No putting on airs.