Thomasina had only been kissed thrice: once two seasons ago, when she was caught under mistletoe at a party, and twice in her first season, by a man who was entirely besotted by her until he found out that she wanted to be a healer. She was a little overwhelmed, accordingly, by all the sensations — the press of Dempsey's beard to her face and of his lips to hers, the height difference that had her standing on her toes, the way he held her almost possessively.

He was the best kisser she'd met so far. Given his reputation, Thomasina wasn't surprised.

She pulled her head back after a few moments, but did not step out of his arms. "I'll marry you," she said, definitively.

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