“May I kiss you? I have so much to discuss with you, but while we have a moment alone, I would like to kiss you. We may only have a moment before your maid appears.”
Kiss me? The question startled her back to reality. “Yes,” she breathed, placing her hand over her fluttery stomach. Absently, she wondered how this could be achieved from her wheel-chair. Impulsively, she shuttered her eyes.
Harlow moved closer and slipped one arm around her, pulling her nearer. She felt his hand slip into her hair, gently moving his fingers among the curls hanging at the back of her neck. His lips touched hers, tenderly at first, then with more pressure, with his tongue teasing her lips to open.
Lilian enjoyed his kiss and leaned further into his caress, yielding to the pressure of his mouth. His tongue swiftly entered, parrying and dancing with her own as it explored the recesses of her mouth and stirred up tingling, strange feelings in the very centre of her body, compelling her to want more—of what, she was not sure. However, she knew she did not want this kiss to end.
A small bark from the corner of the garden brought them back from the heavens, alerting them to visitors, and they pulled apart, both breathing heavily. Cooper barked again, and Lilian saw Clara come through the door from the house and take the bench in the stoned courtyard.
“I believe we have a champion in that little dog,” Harlow observed. “Thank you. I enjoyed that kiss.”
“I enjoyed it too,” she said shyly. “I confess I would have liked it to last a moment longer…” She stopped then, suddenly realizing the lack of propriety in her words and behaviour. Whatever was she about, to be enjoying stolen minutes alone with him and a kiss that had singed her to her core. What must he be thinking? She was little better than…than a bird of paradise!
“Lilian, you are the first woman I have courted in a very long time. I fear I need to dust off my rules of etiquette!” He tried to appear apologetic and failing, laughed instead.
“Oh…are there written rules for gentlemen, too?” A gurgle of laughter escaped her throat. “I am truly sorry,” she excused herself quickly, lifting a hand to her mouth. “I did not mean to offend—I suddenly visualized a book of rules gentlemen must follow in order to court a lady. It struck me as funny. I apologize.”
“There is no need to apologize. There are rules, ah…principles, if you will. For example, as boys, our tutors teach us we must be honest, be prompt, even early…that type of thing. My father showed me a book and asked that I read it. I think I may still have it.” He sat back in his chair and laughed. “I have not thought about that book in years. I believe it was called something like, ‘The Gentlemen Instructed…’ He stopped. “There was more to the title, but it escapes me. Anyway, I am endeavouring to adhere to those teachings.”
“In what way are you falling short, John?” Lilian watched his lips as he spoke to her. His lips were perfect, not too thin and not too full. She wanted to feel them again.
“I have not wanted to get married because I have bad dreams.” He rushed the words forth, his eyes fixed on her.
“What kinds of dreams?” she ventured cautiously, grasping her hands to her heart.
“Ever since the war, I wake up sweating, sometimes screaming. I am sure I have no notion why I am telling you this. It seems most unseemly to be discussing such a thing, yet, I fear to mislead you. I feel I can trust you and tell you this about me, not knowing for sure where our…connection…will lead.”
Lilian became quiet and folded her hands into her lap. “Thank you for sharing that. It could not have been easy. In fact, I cannot imagine my brother talking about such matters, even with my mother or father.” She looked up at him, carefully taking her hand and caressing the side of his face. “You can trust that I will never speak of this to anyone. I will not marry unless there is love or the chance of love. I would rather not marry if I have no feeling for a gentleman,” she spoke softly, almost whispering.
“My parents were a love match, but Mother seems to have put that aside in her concern for an heir. She wants grandchildren, and I can understand that.”
Lilian dipped her head slightly in acknowledgement. She had no idea how else to respond. Her doctor had not indicated any concerns with having children, and until now, she had given no thought to courtship in the past year.
“So, are we agreed? We will seek to become better acquainted and see what may develop, both agreeing to tell the other if we find it too difficult or that we do not suit after all? He fixed his eyes on her face.
Her throat suddenly felt parched. All she could do was nod.
“It is time we returned to the house. Clara has twice risen to her feet, I think perhaps she is giving us a hint.” He stood up and looked down at her. “I will call upon you when we are arrived in Cornwall. I leave tomorrow morning with Lord Worsley.” He leaned down to kiss her head and she looked up, catching his lips on her nose. He leaned in and brushed her lips. “To brand you mine until we see each other in Tintagel.”
Footfalls on loose gravel sounded beyond the gazebo. Stepping behind her chair, Harlow quickly began pushing it back toward the house.
“Clara, I will escort Lady Lilian into the house and then I shall take my leave before I offend all the tenets of propriety.”
“M’lord. Lord and Lady Avalon are returned. We will be leaving
