Philippa by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page A

forward, and linking her arm through her friend’s they walked together among the others. “Millicent is fuming. I managed to point out that you were strolling with Sir Walter. She denied it was him, but she knew it was.”
    “I am deciding if I shall let him kiss me,” Philippa replied. “You know I have never been kissed. I was saving that for your traitorous brother.”
    “Oh, don’t let Sir Walter be your first kiss. I have heard he kisses badly. You must let Roger Mildmay be your first kiss. He kisses deliciously,” Cecily said.
    “Was he your first kiss?” Philippa asked.
    Cecily nodded with a small smile. “He is such a nice fellow too. Ohh, I wonder if he might make a good husband for you, Philippa. His estates are near Tony’s in Oxfordshire. But then I have heard it said he will eventually wed a neighbor’s daughter whose lands match with his. Still, he would be good for a first kiss. Shall I ask him?”
    “Cecily!” Philippa was rosy with blushes.
    “Well, you had best kiss him, or Sir Walter will not be deterred. You’ve annoyed Millicent enough for one day. She really isn’t worth your trouble, Philippa.” She took her best friend’s hand. “Come along now, I see Sir Roger Mildmay over there with Tony. I’ll ask him for you.”
    Philippa began to laugh. “I am fifteen, and have never been kissed. And now my best friend must ask a man to do the honors? ’Tis pitiful, Ceci, and I shall look the fool.”
    “Nay, not with Roger. He is very kind and understanding. He will admire the fact that you were saving yourself for Giles. Come on!” She pulled Philippa along across the green lawns until they finally reached the spot where her betrothed husband, Sir Anthony Deane, and his friend, Sir Roger Mildmay, stood talking. Standing on tiptoes, Cecily whispered something in Sir Roger’s ear. Then she let go of Philippa’s hand, and took Tony’s to lead him off.
    Sir Roger Mildmay chuckled softly.
    “This is ridiculous,” Philippa said. “What has Ceci said to you?”
    . “That if I do not give you your first kiss, Walter Lumley will. Surely you do not fancy him, Mistress Philippa?” Sir Roger was a young man of medium height and stature, with warm brown eyes and sandy hair.
    “No,” Philippa said. “I have only been flirting with him in order to make that wretched Millicent Langholme jealous. They will shortly be betrothed.”
    “Why have you never been kissed? You have been here at court for three years now, I know, for you came with Cecily FitzHugh. Do you not want to be kissed?”
    “I was saving myself for Giles FitzHugh, who was to be my husband,” Philippa said. “Now was I not the fool, sir?”
    “How charming of you, and how old-fashioned. You will make the right man a good and faithful wife one day, Mistress Philippa, but you are no longer attached, and therefore you are free to pursue love as all young girls do.” He smiled at her.
    “You do not think such behavior loose, sir?” Philippa asked him.
    “Aye, if taken to extremes, but a lass’s curiosity should be satisfied to a certain point before she is leg-shackled to a husband,” he told her. “I propose that we keep company, Mistress Philippa, and if the occasion arises I shall kiss you, and you will learn what the mystery is all about. ’Tis said I am an excellent kisser,” he chuckled.
    Philippa laughed. “Ceci is right. You are nice,” she said.
    “Then we are agreed? I shall have your first kiss. And several others I hope,” he replied. “But first I would tell you that I know your family will be in the market for another husband for you. I cannot, alas, be he. I will return home at the end of summer to wed the daughter of a neighbor. We have been pledged since childhood, and I am content to marry Anne Brownley. I would not lead you astray.” He looked directly at her, and smiled a small smile. “I know your young heart must be broken by what has happened, and I would not add to your