She giggled again at the memory. “Will you fetch me another cup of wine?”
“I think you may be tipsy enough as it is,” he responded with a good-natured grin.
Now that he mentioned it, her head was reeling a wee bit. “It’s only this glorious night. I will remember it forever, my lord.”
“I won’t have you start ‘my lording’ me now. Not after what we’ve shared between us.”
The thought of the kisses they’d shared made her blush. “The wine? Please?”
He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “As you wish. But we’ll get you something to eat as well.”
SIXTY-ONE
JASON GUIDED Cait back to the refreshment room and handed her a knot biscuit. She nibbled on the braided, anise-flavored bread while he wandered down the buffet table, loading a plate with light fare: asparagus, cubed cheese, an assortment of luscious fruits. Handing her the plate, he filled two more cups with the heady spiced wine.
Cait looked around for two open seats.
“I’ve another idea.” Jason inclined his head toward the door. “Come along.” Munching a cube of cheese, he led her back through the ballroom and out into the formal garden.
Burning torches were set about. Cait breathed deep of the night air, refreshingly cool compared to inside. Here and there a couple strolled the garden paths, but mostly it was quiet and serene.
She followed him out beyond the bright light of the torches, where he sat himself on a low brick wall. Handing her a cup, he took the plate from her and set it down.
“We cannot see out here,” she complained, seating herself on the other side of the plate.
“Ah, but we cannot be seen, either.” He plucked a raspberry from a small pile and popped it into his mouth. “Your eyes will adjust.”
“They’re adjusting already,” she said, feeling lightheaded.
He selected another raspberry and brought it to her lips. Sweetness burst on her tongue as she bit into it. After she swallowed, he leaned across the plate to drop a light kiss on her lips.
He pulled away an inch. “Shall we move back near the torches?”
“Nay. I find I like not being seen.” She leaned closer, bringing her mouth to his again.
With a satisfied chuckle, he kissed her again, then sat back and sipped from his cup. Next, he fed her an asparagus spear. “Lovely night, is it not?”
“Mmm.” Anything more intelligible was beyond her at the moment.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go back inside?”
She shook her head. “Mmm-mmm.”
When the asparagus was gone, he leaned in for another kiss, taking her chin in one hand, teasing her mouth till she was breathless. He tasted of fruit, spiced wine, and Jason. A most heady combination.
“I cannot go back inside,” she whispered. “I don’t think my legs would carry me.”
“Are you cold?”
“Nay.” But she was shivering. “Aye. I know not.”
He took her hand and drew her off the wall. “Come here, then. I’ll keep you warm.” And rising, he pulled her to him. His hands wandered to her back, pressing her closer.
“I’m not cold now,” she murmured against his lips.
He drew back and sipped from his cup, then tilted it to her lips so she could sip, too. Leaning against the wall, he selected a ripe strawberry, bit into it, and fed her the rest.
Never had a strawberry tasted so delicious.
A woman’s high-pitched laugh startled Cait as a couple meandered close. Jason calmly handed her a cup of wine to wash the strawberry down. Hers, his…it didn’t matter. He drained the other cup himself.
Music tinkled from a distance then abruptly ceased, telling them a door had opened and closed, and the couple had reentered the ballroom.
Jason unbuttoned his surcoat and spread the sides to envelop her against his warmth, and Caithren moved close, lifting her face for another kiss. The slap and scrape of shoes told them more people were approaching.
“Confound it.” Jason pulled away, taking the plate in one hand and Caithren’s hand in the other. She scurried to keep up with his long stride while he drew her through two small formal gardens and into a long, arched arbor, the lattice entwined with flowers and climbing vines.
Halfway through, he stopped and fed her a raspberry. And another. Laughing, she chewed and swallowed. Some juice ran down her chin, and he leaned to kiss it off. The plate between them, he kissed her neck, and a warm shiver rippled through her. He kissed his way up to her ear. “You’re delicious,” he whispered there.
“You’re very sleekit,” she returned.
“I’m what?” His lips grazed her forehead.
“Very…charming.”
He pulled back and fed her another raspberry. “I thought I was exasperating and unimaginative. Black and white.”
“Exasperating, aye. But unimaginative…” She leaned forward to eat another raspberry from his fingers. “You’re causing me to reevaluate. You seem to be changing before my very eyes. Or perhaps I was wrong.”
“You? Wrong?” His laughter rang through the fragrant tunnel. He selected a few raspberries for himself and tossed them into his mouth. “Besides,” he said around them, “the Gypsy woman said that you were supposed to be the creative one. And beguiling, if I recall aright.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
“It was my supposed husband she was talking of, not me. And will you never let that go? I told you, she misjudged me.”
“I think not.” Before she could disagree, he pushed the last raspberry between her lips. “You’re beguiling as anything, Caithren Leslie.”
Her hands and the plate were all caught between them when he tugged her against him. He was a whole new person tonight, she thought, sinking blissfully into the kiss. Something had changed him. And if that something was her…could he love her? Because she knew in her heart she loved him, no matter that
