The source of the water was before them. Water cascaded down from large boulders his parents had thought to put in here to create a miniature waterfall and to keep the water in the koi ponds refreshed and clean.
She put her hand out and brushed it along the stone rail that lined the three-foot bridge and stared down at the large gold and black koi that swam and created a tide of sunshine beneath them.
Her shawl fell from her shoulders to rest in the crook of her bent arms.
“It’s not too hot for you, is it?”
“No,” she answered, a little breathless.
“I probably should have had you dress more appropriately for the different temperatures.”
He hoped the heat in the arboretum would have her removing her shawl to reveal the gentle scoop of her evening dress and the nip of her laced-in waist. Hell, he wanted her to take off more than her shawl. But not here. Well, maybe he did want her to take it all off here.
Damnation, what was wrong with him?
He needed a hell of a lot more focus than he currently had.
“Come along.” He took her hand again and led her down the shale path. “The orchids come in every color and size; flowers ranging from tiny bulbs to palm-sized petals. Some stems are taller than you or I.”
Her gaze was everywhere, taking in the rainbow of beauty around them. “It’s all so wonderful.”
A broken pink flower head lay below the bloom it looked to have been accidentally torn from. He picked it up and ran it down the side of her face. She stopped walking and faced him, bringing them both to a standstill.
Water misted down on the cocooned world they created in their orchid realm. She gave a cheerful laugh and tilted her head back to catch the mist full on her face as it fell. Her tongue reached for the water that lightly sprayed them both. Glancing up to the piping that ran the length of the ceiling he, too, tasted the fresh water on his tongue.
“What a glorious surprise tonight has been. I can’t thank you enough for bringing me here.” She dropped her shawl, obviously uncaring that it landed in a heap in the dirt-trodden path as she stretched out her arms, catching the cool water on the tips of her fingers as it sprayed down on them.
All the beauty in the world didn’t compare to the expression on her face in that moment. He wanted to taste the liquid building on her eyelids, her lips, her pale dew-covered skin. He wanted to lick at her neck and dip his tongue into the swell of her breasts above the tight-laced corset.
But he would not allow temptation to overwhelm his better judgment. He settled for taking only the slightest of liberties, and lowered his knuckles to skim the damp exposed skin at her collar. She turned her head to the side in invitation, but because the words to invite him closer did not fall from her lips he released her instead of curling his hand around her delicate neck to pull her to him.
The mist stopped just as suddenly as it had started, piercing the privately shared fantasy they’d indulged too briefly in. He pulled away reluctantly, pushed the orchid low between her breasts, and picked the shawl up to drape it back around her shoulders. She said nothing, just pressed her fingers to her heart, though the smile on her face told him exactly how she felt.
She wanted more, and she had enjoyed the moment just as much as he had.
He tucked her arm through his and they walked on. He clenched his jaw and focused on breathing deeply. Focused on the blooms, beauty, and the sights around them. He tried unsuccessfully to shift his thoughts away from only her.
He brought her outside and down the path that led toward the rose room. He’d lost his control and his sanity back in the orchid house and hoped to gain some of it back before they found themselves in a similar situation.
When they reached the door for the rose arboretum, and pushed it open, her expression lightened as the scent of the flowers tenderly surrounded them.
She took a step away from him, closed her eyes, and breathed deeply.
When she opened them again, she turned to him and said, “It’s spectacular.”
She reached her hand out to touch one of the multitudes of soft-petaled flowers surrounding them. Clasping his hand tightly around her wrist, he pulled her hand back too late; a thorn caught the side of her finger. She hissed in a sharp breath and jerked away from the smarting.
A small well of blood beaded where the thorn had stuck her. “Damn,” she muttered.
He took his necktie from his pocket and blotted away the evidence of her injury without a word.
“Thank you,” she whispered, as though afraid of being heard by anyone who might be nearby.
“Don’t thank me.” His voice didn’t come easy and he was sure she’d be able to tell just how aroused he was by the rusty quality. “Here…” He plucked a pink rose by pinching the bottom of its head at the stem, and pressed it into her hand. “I have a feeling these are your favorite flower.”
“Hard not to guess when my first inclination was to ask if you kept roses. My mum used to call me her little rose because the slightest exertion would turn my face pink. They are like a namesake to me.”
She spun in a small circle, head back, as she breathed in the scent of the gardens and took in the sight of the rosebushes from the stone-cobbled dirt floor to the glass-covered ceiling. That damned smile she wore so naturally was doing something to him. He wanted to always see that expression on her face—day and night … for an eternity if he could.
When she turned back to him she reached for his hand this time. He didn’t hesitate to clasp her hands in return and pull her nearer; knowing he was going against his word but unable to stop himself. Only a few inches separated them and it wouldn’t be hard to pull her in the remaining distance.
He threaded his fingers through her hair and clasped the back of her head lightly to draw her face closer as he lowered his mouth. He gave her all the time in the world to object, but the only thing to fall past her lips was a soft sigh.
She relaxed into him when their mouths fused and he took her lips between his in a gentle persuading kiss. Her head angled back to give him better access to her open mouth and he licked his tongue inside, sucking on her upper lip as he pulled back. When she still didn’t protest his taking advantage of her, he did it again. This time, her tongue met his in the middle and danced around his as she went up on the tips of her toes and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
One of his hands lowered to the top of her buttocks and rested at the small of her back. He edged her closer, pressing her belly against his arousal, letting her feel just how much he wanted her.
She moaned into his mouth and rubbed the front of her body tightly against his before she slowly pulled away, inching back a step but looking reluctant as she did so.
“We should go,” she said.
“Stay a while longer. I’ll do no more or less than you ask.”
“We can’t.”
The enthusiastic smile slipped from her face. In its place was something more alluring and seductive. There was dew left on her cheeks and lips from the mist that had showered down on them. It was hard to suppress his desire to lick it all away.
“You’ve barely gone around the room.”
“I think it wise we stop everything that we are doing, Barrington. My reputation cannot withstand whatever it is you have in mind.”
He spread his arms wide. “Look around you, Genny. It’s only the two of us here. There is no one to offer censure or tell you what you can or cannot do—least of all me.”
“I can’t do these outings with you and not involve my feelings.”
Her words stung. “Do you think I’m so coldhearted that I feel nothing? So carefree that I don’t feel some of the same things you do?”
“No … I didn’t mean it in that sense.”
“Then what did you mean? Aside from telling me repeatedly that I am a bad sort and not worthy of your company, you insist that I have every intention of ruining you. Why won’t you let me prove myself otherwise?”
“And why
should I believe you when you have yet to tell me why you sought out my cousin all those weeks ago? I know you have no prior association with her. What was it you planned?”
That he couldn’t tell her. Not yet. Not when he was trying to convince her that he was a decent man. But, really, was he decent when he was lying to her about his original purpose in pursuing, however briefly, Lady Charlotte that first evening they had run into each other?
Eventually he would tell her the truth but that time was not now. Not when she didn’t completely trust him. Not when she would turn her back on him and not think to give him another chance. He knew he was being selfish, but he wanted it to be harder for her to walk away from him.
“Let us get back to the main house.” He tugged her down the cobbled path, intent on going back the same way they’d entered since it was the shortest way back to the Carleton Estate.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed your desire to keep your secrets.”
“For now, they must and will remain my secrets, Genny.”
Before they exited the indoor rose garden, he picked up the gardening shears and cut two pink roses high on the stem and scraped off the thorns before he pressed them into Genny’s hands.
She looked down to the flowers that were half in bloom and brought them up to her nose to smell their intoxicating scent. “Thank you for tonight.”
“You can come here any time you so wish it. Let it be my gift to you.”
“It’s very kind of you.”
“I mean it. The flowers are meant to be enjoyed, not to languish here without someone to admire them. Feel free to wander over here any time of the day … or night. I’ll alert my staff that a young woman may be around to take in the beauty of the gardens.”
“You know I can do no such thing.”
“Yes you can. You just don’t want to live dangerously at the moment. If the urge should ever take you, my offer is open-ended.” He gave her a gallant bow before offering her his arm. “Now, let us get you tucked into the relative safety of your room.”
“Thank you for making good on your word.”
“Why you thought I wouldn’t baffles me.” He gave her a smile and simply enjoyed their proximity on the walk back to the Carleton Estate.
Chapter 15
It has come to this writer’s attention that the soon-to-be-appointed Earl of F___ was seen shopping at a jeweler’s known to provide the most delicate and precious of gems for those with deep enough pockets for such lavish finery. Though he did not leave with a box in hand, he did spend a great deal of time inside conversing with the proprietor.
Being the type of gentleman he is, and setting aside his most recent accounts of courting, who’s to say this gift isn’t yet another bauble for the plethora of women it is rumored he keeps on hand in Town like a harem for a Turkish Bey?
The Mayfair Chronicles, July 28, 1846
Delirious. That was the precise feeling that bombarded her very being. He’d played his games of seduction these past few days, charmed her at every opportunity, and he made her feel … smitten and drunk on a familiar sensation of anticipation, desire, and rekindled love.
All he had to do was glance at her from across the room to make her quiver with eagerness. It was difficult to keep her gaze from constantly straying in his direction, difficult to keep from brushing up against him when they were alone even for the briefest of moments. Every surreptitious touch made her crave him all the more.
He made her feel alive.
And because of that she couldn’t stay away.
They were acting as circumspect as they had four years ago, or, at least, she hoped that to be true because the inevitable was bound to happen. And soon. It wouldn’t do for their affair to be revealed to anyone currently in residence at the Carleton Estate.
While Leo had kept his word and done no more than spend time with her, she didn’t think she could stick to the rules she had demanded for much longer. There was an unfulfilled yearning so palpable between them that the very air they breathed was filled with sexual tension.
Could she be so bold as to steal into his room tonight? Or should she ask that he meet her somewhere less conspicuous? Perhaps they could find a place where they could let go of all their inhibitions and indulge in their every sense without fear of being caught by another houseguest.
She felt very wicked and decided to retire early from the parlor that evening with Charlotte. Tonight she would be bold and … adventurous.
Putting her evening dress in the wardrobe, she donned her nightclothes. She chose a simple white linen nightgown with a matching robe with a Chantilly lace and satin frill at the hem. Her nipples puckered as the cool material slipped over her skin like a lover’s touch. The very thought of Leo’s hands skimming and molding her naked body had her heart racing.
Carefully removing all her hairpins, she dropped them in a crystal tray on her vanity and uncoiled her hair, letting the locks fall loose about her shoulders and down the length of her back. She took up the tresses, split them into sections, and weaved the pieces together in a thick braid.
How much longer should she delay? Would Leo be in his room? Surely he was, it was past eleven.
She stared at her reflection above her vanity and pinched her cheeks to bring some color to them. Without doubt, he wanted her. And she’d not lie to herself, she wanted him and had secretly wanted to go to him since he’d found her stargazing and done no more than have an intelligent conversation with her.
In spite of the fact that she should refrain from doing her heart’s desire, because that was the right thing to do, she was doing something for herself, and only herself since the last time she’d seen Leo.
She was really going to do this.
Not questioning the oddly freeing sensation she felt, she went over to her door and stood in the little anteroom with her ear pressed tightly against the wood. The only thing she heard was the mantel clock ticking out the minutes back in her room.
As she turned the oval brass knob on the door, it clicked loudly open. She paused and held her breath, hand still clasped tightly around the cool handle. She was not so alarmed by the sound as to close the door and retreat to the safety of her room and lonely bed. Tonight, she didn’t want to be alone—not now that her mind was decided.
Peeking her head out the door, she glanced left and then right. A sigh of relief escaped her as she quickly closed the door behind her and ran to Barrington’s room. The design of the house was a wonderful aid to clandestine affairs; each bedchamber was equipped with two doors. There was only about three feet of space between the two, but it was enough to close herself quietly between them and stay hidden from anyone wandering the halls at this late hour. Not that she saw anyone else.
Rapping her knuckles very lightly against Barrington’s chamber door, she waited with a thrill of excitement skipping her heart along. Her knuckles fell heavier against the paneled door when he didn’t immediately answer.
She chewed nervously at her lip and dropped her hand when she heard another voice—not Leo’s—emanating from Barrington’s private room. Before her mind could come up with a number of scenarios that had her cursing silently at her stupidity, the door flew open.
Barrington stood before her in his shirtsleeves, one hand holding the door open, the other braced on the door frame.
His smile softened to something more sensual when he saw that it was she standing on the other side. “Lady Luck has brought me a treasure this evening.”
She opened her mouth to ask him who had been in the room with him but couldn’t speak once his mouth descended upon hers.
It took every bit of her will to push her fists between them and break the delicious press of their mouths.
“I heard someone else,” she said breathlessly.
“Are you jealous?”
“No. But…” She was but she’d sound like a ninny admitting that. “You enjoy tormenting me far too much. I should go.” The disappointment was palpable in her tone as she
backed up a few steps.
“Princess.” Leo shook his head and cupped his hands over her arms. “Marks, my valet, was attending to me.”
He spread his arms wide, drawing her attention back to his lack of attire. He wore only his shirtsleeves, suspenders, and dark trousers. Suddenly embarrassed that she’d questioned who was in his room, her gaze veered away from him and to the surrounding room. Similarly appointed as hers, the room varied only in the color scheme, his being darker and more masculine. The bed looked slightly larger than hers, the coverlet a deep brown to match the burgundy walls. There was a writing desk and couch whereas she had a vanity and a chair by the fire grate in her room.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “You must think me juvenile and foolish.”
“Never foolish. And my thoughts are far from juvenile. So much so, I believe you need to let me kiss you again to prove it.”
An impish grin curved her mouth upward as she took his offered hand so he could lure her fully into his room.
“We’ll have to be very quiet,” she whispered.
“I look forward to smothering your cries with my mouth, and my hands if necessary.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively as he took her hands in his and drew her nearer. His breath fanned out over the shell of her ear seconds before he nibbled on the sensitive lobe.
“What changed your mind about coming to me, princess?”
“I really can’t say.” She cocked one eyebrow. “Why would you question that right now?”
In response, he gave her a deep chuckle as he released the tie on her robe. “If you change your mind at any point, you’ll need to tell me.”
“Had I any reservations, I would not have come.”
Leo pushed the satiny material from her shoulders and let it pool on the ground around her feet. His breath hitched. It wasn’t that she wore anything out of the ordinary. Beneath her cover was a simple shift, and her stays were still bound tightly around her waist. Though she had thought to step out of her slippers on entering his room.
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