Half-heartedly, she pulled back. They both stood there, panting.
“I apologize…” he said before breaking off.
“No, please… There is no need to apologize. I… have never been kissed before… of course… and… I-I would not wish such… such a first kiss not to have been meant,” she whispered, obviously shaken.
“I was not apologizing for kissing you,” he said. “I was merely about to express my regrets for not having kissed you sooner.
Her heart gave a little flip.
They stared at each other, neither speaking for some moments.
“I plan to spend time here and see how an orphanage—this orphanage—operates. I wish to understand more,” he finally said. “Will you allow it?”
“Did… did you mean what you said, then? Your proposal—the one you presented before you made your declaration of marriage?” she asked. Her voice was barely audible. She could tell, before he said a word, that he had meant it.
He nodded.
Regret stirred throughout her body. She had barely listened to him and had snubbed him whenever he had tried to speak. Yet, his tone had remained that of a gentleman. Have I misjudged him?
“I-I rather liked it,” she admitted with a little more voice, feeling heat rise in her cheeks.
“You have me at a disadvantage. What did you like?” he asked.
“Your kiss,” she murmured. The heat scorched her face at her brazen words. She lifted her chin and met his gaze, refusing to be missish. “If truth be known, sir, I enjoyed your kiss very much.” What was it about this man? It was as if her mouth said things without her brain’s permission. She craved his closeness. Why was one taste not enough? She had worked herself into a lather over his winning the building, and because of that, had tried her best not to pay him any heed. To make matters worse, she had felt forced into an impossible position because of the man who threatened Amy. Having a gentleman to take care of her made sense, and while she was not in disagreement with her decision, it went against all she had thought she desired.
“Perhaps we should talk,” he prompted.
“I presume you mean about our engagement?” Her brazenness stunned her — yet, there were questions that needed answers. What kind of marriage would theirs be? She wanted to know what he expected but was unsure how to broach the subject.
“Yes, although there is more we should discuss than just that. Would you consent to accompanying me on a drive in the Park tomorrow? I could take you up at ten of the clock.”
A lump had formed in her throat and her voice rasped when she spoke. “Very well,” she answered simply.
He inclined his dark head and a smile creased his face. “It is arranged. Now, tell me everything you know about this Mr. Sneed. We need to look into this matter. And I would very much like to meet the other twelve children.”
She studied his face and was sure a look of incredulity must have stolen across her own.
“You are sincere! You would help me, even after I ignored everything you said earlier?”
He chuckled. “You did do that,” he said, a meaningful look in his eyes. “However, I never offer anything which I do not wish to give.” He edged nearer.
She sensed he was as surprised by his offer as she had been. I never offer anything which I do not wish to give. His words played over in her head and gave rise to that peculiar burst of excitement fluttering deep within her stomach. Nora looked up and saw only his lips as they unexpectedly claimed her own.
This time, their kiss was softer. As he pulled her close, she relaxed into it immediately. A tingling sensation shot across her arms and down her neck to her toes.
His hands encircled her waist and drew her even nearer, as his tongue gently swirled about the warm caverns of her mouth. Entranced, she fingered the waves of his hair. His caresses stirred feelings she had never known. Was this desire?
“You smell delicious. Is that honeysuckle?” he murmured, capturing her earlobe with his teeth. Then, nuzzling her neck, he dusted kisses along her collarbone.
Nora started to speak but was immediately lost in the sensations aroused by his kisses along the neck of her gown. Time stood still, until rapid steps in the hall awoke her senses, reminding her where she was.
“Yes… oh good heavens!” Nora drew a quick breath. “I confess, I find myself muddled by your nearness, sir. My good sense seems to have left me,” she said. Her hands slipped from his shoulders and she stepped away.
The door opened, and Mrs. Simpkins hesitantly stepped inside. “Miss Mason, we have a situation.”
“A situation? Whatever has happened?” Her face crinkled in concern, she briefly regarded Lord Shefford.
Mrs. Simpkins wrung her hands. “Miss Mason, I apologize for the interruption. That man is back.”
“He is here, now?” Lord Shefford demanded as his eyebrows shot up.
“Aye,” she said in a tremulous voice.
“Can you point him out to me?” he persisted.
“I saw him, m’own self, m’lord, staring at me from outside the kitchen window. His face were pressed to the glass. Right fierce it were.” Mrs. Simpkins waved her hands and then nervously wiped them on her skirt and anxiously led them towards the dimly lit kitchen. “I was about to start the ovens for supper. Something made me look up… and there he were. A big, ugly fellow he was, sir.” She pointed with a shaking hand towards the offending window. “It near frightened me to death. Soon as he saw I’d seen him, the ugly rascal ran towards the woodshed, over there by the big elm tree. I dropped me soup pot and all me beans went everywhere,” she lamented.
Lord Shefford glanced at Nora, before walking to the back door and opening it. “I do not see
