“No you’re not.” Lydia laughed.
Kitty held up her hand. “Now Lydia, we need to take into consideration that we’ve watched Patience grow up. And she’s the youngest, so it’s natural for us to have a hard time accepting she’s becoming a woman.”
Lydia eyed Patience from her face to her blanket-covered chest.” I suppose. It’s just difficult.”
“I know.” Kitty patted Lydia’s knee. “But we really must try.”
“I can’t help it that I still think of her as a five-year-old, dressing the cats up in dolls’ clothing and making them wear those ridiculous hats.”
Patience listened as her sisters spoke as if she wasn’t in the room. “Pardon me. Would anyone like to hear what I think?”
Both sisters turned their attention to her.
Patience ran her fingers over the top of her covers. “I realize you two are older and that you’ve always thought of me as the baby, but honestly, I’m seventeen. I’m not a child. I know my own mind. I know who I enjoy spending time with and—”
“And…” Lydia wound her hand in a circle. “Care to elaborate on just what you like to do with a certain someone you enjoy spending time with?”
Heat rose up Patience’s neck, climbing to her cheeks. “That was a private moment between Walter and me.”
“I’ll say. “Lydia’s eyebrows rose.
“You had no right to interrupt our, uh—”
“I had every right. Just what do you think you were doing in there? Do you have any idea?”
“Of course I do.”
Kitty’s mouth dropped open. “And just how far were you planning to take things, young lady?”
Patience raised both eyebrows. “If memory serves, Kitty, you were always the one getting scolded by Lydia for flirting.”
Kitty wound a tendril of her red hair around her finger. “Well, yes, but… but… I was older than you are now and—”
“Not that much older.”
Lydia leaned forward, huffing out a loud breath. “Ladies, this is getting us nowhere. Arguing amongst ourselves has never gotten us anywhere, now has it?”
“No,” said Patience.
Kitty shook her head. “As I see it, there’s only one thing we can do.” She stood. “Lydia?”
With a decisive nod, Lydia stood too. Both sisters turned and left the room.
Left?
Where in the world had they gone? Patience couldn’t imagine that they’d finished scolding her. She’d been prepared for a long day of nothing else. That’s why she’d stayed in bed. Figured that if she was to be reprimanded for hours upon hours, she might as well be comfortable.
She eyed the closed door. But now they were gone. Very peculiar indeed. Were they coming back? Or should she get out of bed and get dressed?
Patience sighed, her thoughts returning to her time in the closet with Walter. His precious, sweet words. The way his fingers felt on her bare skin. His warm mouth on her—
No, it wouldn’t do any good to think about that now. If her sisters’ moods had been any indication, Patience would be lucky to be able to speak directly to Walter from now on, unless one or more other family member in attendance.
Instead, she remembered meeting Mr. Henry Wycliff. Poor old man. How sad he’d seemed when they’d left. And so thin. Not to even be given a full day’s rations. How cruel his brother must be. As much as she often wished for time alone, away from her sisters, Patience couldn’t imagine never having anyone to talk to. He did have his pigeon, but even though the bird was companionship, it wouldn’t be the same.
She was determined to visit him again. Even if it meant she had to go under the cover of darkness again. And when she’d finished paining her panorama of the pigeon, she’d give it to Mr. Henry Wycliff as a gift of their new friendship. Would she be so fortunate as to have Walter along with her when she went? Not likely.
The door swung open. Her sisters stood there, side by side.
Without preamble, acting like she’d not been gone for the last few minutes, Lydia said, “Very well. First things first. Patience, why don’t you get dressed for the day, hmmm? Wear something nice.”
Patience narrowed her eyes. “Why? Don’t I always look acceptable on any given day?”
“Yes, but today might be—”
“Lydia.” Kitty’s voice sounded harsh, like George when he hissed.
Patience turned her attention from one to the other. “What is going on?”
Lydia ran her gaze over Patience. “Just dress with care.”
After her sisters had left the room again, Patience shook her head. What had gotten in to them? She’d expected much more of a berating than she’d gotten. Not that she was complaining, but still, it was so unlike them to not overdo advice and admonition. And after what Lydia had viewed in the closet and then retold to Kitty and everyone else, Patience had definitely expected something much more severe.
She threw back the covers and went to her armoire. Lydia had said to dress nice. Her light blue frock would work. Not too fancy, but better than a day dress she would have donned otherwise.
Another knock came on her door. One of the maids, Nancy, entered and curtsied. “I’m to dress you hair, Miss Patience.”
“Thank you.” Nancy helped her with the buttons on her dress before doing her hair.
Buttons…. When Walter had first reached around behind her to the back of her dress, she hadn’t realized what he was up to. Once she did, though, she’d been embarrassed. However, as his fingers trailed along her bare skin, something delicious and forbidden came over her. She liked it. And wanted more.
Had Walter planned it all beforehand? It didn’t seem likely, since they’d had such an unexpected meeting with Mr. Henry Wycliff and then had to sneak back into the house later than they’d planned. Still, he hadn’t seemed timid or coy. But would she have expected him to be? He did normally act the rake and flirt with her.
Either way, she’d loved his touch, his kisses, his warm breath on her face and neck.
Nancy tugged a lock of Patience’s hair into place, jerking her out of her scandalous thoughts. Patience peeked up at the mirror, horrified to see her face was colored a dark pink.
Perhaps I should try to keep my thoughts away from Walter for now.
But it was so difficult, for she couldn’t think of anything but him.
“There now,” said Nancy, patting Patience on the shoulder. “You’re ready.”
Patience stood. “Thank you.” She waited until Nancy had left before exiting her room herself.
Where had Kitty and Lydia gone? Would they be waiting for her to continue their conversation?
And what was happening with Walter? She could imagine Nathaniel and Stratford berating him as her sisters had done to her. Probably more so, as they would likely blame him the most, being the man.
While it was true that Walter had been the one to initiate the seduction, Patience hadn’t minded.
Not at all.
She sighed as she made her way down the main staircase, wondering if she and Walter would ever be allowed to spend time alone together again. Her heart might break if that were the case.
When had he become so important to her? Such a focal point of her thoughts, her very existence. Was she falling in love?
You already know that answer to that. It had been happening steadily for the past few weeks, accelerating when Walter had been instructed to accompany her to her commissioned panorama.
She thought again of that pigeon and smiled. If Walter hadn’t noticed the piece of foolscap tied to the bird’s leg, they never would have met Mr. Henry Wycliff. And wouldn’t have been sneaking out to discover his identity.
Which led to them hiding in the closet together and—
When she reached the bottom of the stairs, there seemed to be a commotion coming from the parlor. She frowned as she entered. Everyone from last night’s impromptu discussion was present.
“What’s going on?” She looked at her sisters, who’d
stopped mid-sentence when Patience walked in.
Instead of answering her, everyone in the room turned to Walter, who stood in the corner next to a tall bookcase. He was certainly groomed nicely. Black trousers and coat, snow-white cravat expertly tied, shiny Hessian boots. He smiled when he saw Patience, as if the rest of their family wasn’t anywhere nearby. As he walked across the parlor, he held out his hand to her. “Care to take a stroll in the gardens with me?”
Her mouth dropped open. Since when did she and Walter stroll together? And the last time they’d been in the gardens, he’d teased one of the cats mercilessly until Patience made him stop. Why was everyone acting so strange?
She eyed her sisters. Neither one said anything but Lydia made shooing motions with her hand. Patience shrugged. It seemed she was on her way to a stroll.
The footman opened the door for them and they walked out of doors. Walter took her hand, squeezed it once and then laid her hand on top of his sleeve. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
Patience stared at him. “What is wrong with you? With everyone?”
He feigned confusion, but she knew him well enough to know when he was putting on a show. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes you do. Something is going on. I just want to know what it is.”
He gave her a wink, acting more like she was used to and led her down the garden path. The one that wound around and ended up at the far corner, by the fountain.
“I wish you would just tell me.” Patience tugged on his sleeve but he didn’t stop walking. He clamped his hand on top of hers. She had no choice but to accompany him.
They reached the fountain and he assisted her in taking a seat on a long garden bench. Songbirds twittered above their heads from the branches of a large oak tree. Patience turned her face toward the sky, allowing the sun to warm her skin. She’d seen Lydia do that so many times since her incarceration in Bedlam the year before. She could understand why. The thought of not being able to come and go as she pleased seemed confining.
The squeak of a boot took her attention back down to the ground. Walter was pacing. Patience leaned forward. “Something is obviously bothering you. Usually I can’t get you to be quiet.” She’d hoped the jab would make him laugh. Not this time though. “Won’t you please just—”
He stopped suddenly and faced her. “There’s something that I…” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“That you…”
“This isn’t at all the way I’d envisioned it.”
“Envisioned what?”
He sat down next to her, quite close. Patience looked around to see if anyone else was about. But they were alone. Funny that. She’d assumed after they’d gotten caught together in the pantry, her sisters would be keeping a closer than usual eye on them.
He took her hand, rubbing the back with his thumb. The sensation was so pleasant, making her feel languid and almost liquid. Walter could do that all day, if he wished. “Patience?”
“Hmmm?”
“I want you to know that I would have done it anyway. Wanted to do it anyway.”
“What are you blathering on about?”
He took her face between his hands and pressed his lips to hers.
Oh yes, that’s more like it. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to be closer. Would he object if she sat on his lap? Doubtful. How wanton she was being. And how much she loved being wanton. The thoughts running through her mind of what she’d like to do with Walter were nothing if not delicious.
Walter pushed her away, gently, and moved further from her on the bench. What was he doing? She liked the prospect of lap-sitting much better. When he turned toward her, raised one leg and propped his boot on the bench between them, her mouth dropped open. Was he going to stand on the bench? Sing? Dance? People didn’t go around doing that sort of thing out in the open.
Instead, Walter lifted the hem of his trousers slightly. Good Heavens. Was the man going to disrobe? Here? In front of her?
She swallowed hard as she glanced around the garden. There was no one else there. They were completely alone. But would anyone be able to view them from a rear window?
“Patience? “
The urgency in his voice grabbed her attention, forcing her to focus on him. “What are you doing?”
“There’s something I want you to see.” He raised the hem of his trousers another inch higher.
“I beg your pardon? Walter, aren’t you afraid someone will be watching from a window?”
He took her hand, tugged it toward his leg and placed it on his ankle. A thrill shot through her even though a part of her thought what she did was very wrong.” I don’t understand.”
“Just listen.”
She nodded, all the while feeling the heat coming from his skin beneath his stocking-covered leg.
“I want to say something to you. I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. But then, with our recent adventure, I decided to make use of something that would be unique to only you and me.”
Intrigued, but still a little wary, she nodded.
“There’s something on my leg I wish you to see.”
She widened her eyes. The man had gone mad! Yes, she had every desire to kiss him, hold him and, indeed, see more of his person. But out here? In the open? Her heart thudded hard. If they were in trouble with her sisters from the incident in the closet, what would happen if they—
He took her hand and raised it a couple of inches. Though she wanted to, Patience couldn’t make herself look at where her hand was headed. It was so scandalous. In the garden. Touching his stocking. But she didn’t pull away, because right at the moment, she wanted nothing more than to press her fingers against him. Feel him. Absorb his warmth.
As Walter guided her hand against his leg, raising her fingers higher, and higher, she came in contact with something very un-stocking-like. And it rustled. She furrowed her brow and stared at him. “Walter?”
He winked. Not his flirtatious one. No this smile was warm. It said trust me. I know what I’m about. This is something just for you and me.
She swallowed hard and nodded, though he hadn’t spoken. But in her heart, she knew he had said the words without giving them actual voice.
With his hand on top of hers, he wrapped her fingers around his ankle. Around the thing that rustled. “Take a closer look.”
She blinked, unable to comprehend what in the world he wanted from her. But she trusted him. With everything she was. She gave him another nod, because words wouldn’t come.
Leaning down, she saw that he had a piece of foolscap tied to his leg. She squinted her eyes halfway shut. And it had writing on it.
He chuckled. “Go ahead. Untie it.”
With trembling fingers, Patience pulled the string away. The paper loosened, falling to the bench between them. To her disappointment, Walter lowered his boot back to the ground and sat up straight.
She’d rather liked the sight of his stocking. And had loved the feel of it beneath her fingers.
“Read the note.” He waited as she picked it up.
Patience opened the page.
My dearest Patience. Though this isn’t how I’d planned it, I pray the outcome will still be positive. The time I’ve spent with you the last few weeks has been the best of my whole life. We’ve shared conversation. Adventure. And yes, intimacy. But there’s more. You’ve given me the gift of your trust. And, whether you know it or not, you’ve given me a glimpse of your true heart. I don’t have the right to ask, though I hope with everything that’s in me you’ll answer as I hope, I’m requesting you’ll give me more than a glimpse. That you’ll indeed do me the honor, give me what I most desire. Your whole heart.
And in turn, I’m giving you mine.
Please say yes…
She blinked slowly. Unable to take it all in. “Walter?”
He took the note from her and placed it behind him on the bench. “In the note, I asked you for something.”
“Um…” She lifted her mouth
in a one-sided smile. “What exactly would I be saying yes to? The heart thing?”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Well, the heart thing, yes, but there’s more.”
“More?”
“Patience, I’m asking not only for your heart, but your hand.”
She gasped. He couldn’t mean …no… Was that why her sisters had left her alone in her bedroom? Had they then spoken to their husbands? To Walter?
“I… was hoping you’d at least say something. It’s not every day a man asks a woman to marry him.”
She stared at him. She’d not said anything yet? “Oh!”
“Is that oh dear, the man is mad for asking, or oh, yes, I’d love nothing better.”
She waited a few seconds, happy to be the one to tease for a change. Then, she smirked. “The second one. Definitely choice two.”
Walter let out a long breath. “That’s what I like to hear.”
He wrapped her in his arms, pulling her so close she could barely catch her breath. As he lowered his head, his lips only a breath away from hers, something made a purring sound. “Was that you?”
“I thought it was you.”
From just to their left, perched on the back of the bench, was a pigeon.
Patience gasped. “Is that…”
Walter laughed. “It is. It’s Phineas.”
Patience reached out her hand and stroked the bird’s silky feathers. “He approves of us getting married.” She returned her focus to Walter. “And so do I.”
Walter took her face between his hands. “That’s good news indeed. Who knows what kinds of adventures you and I will have together.”
As Walter’s lips lowered to hers, Patience smiled. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”
THE END
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Color of Danger (Sullyard Sisters Book 3) Page 13