Page 44 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
* * *
Preparations for the wedding had been carrying on while Flora was away and there was plenty to keep her busy: fittings for her new gowns, invitations to be written, menus for celebratory dinners to be discussed. The dreams of Matt Talacre were purely wedding nerves, she decided. His kiss had awakened something, brought her body alive to the pleasures that awaited in the marriage bed. She had heard whispered conversations and gossip between married women of her acquaintance, but had never known what it meant, until she had gone to Bellemonte. Now she knew why parents were so careful with their daughters.
Her aunt and uncle had kept her well chaperoned.Even those two early occasions when she thought she had lost her heart, she had never been allowed to be alone with her admirer. She had engaged in only the mildest of flirtations with any gentleman, until she had met Matt Talacre. It was no wonder that one kiss from him should liquefy her bones and send the hot blood coursing through her body. How much better would it be when Quentin at last took her in his arms and kissed her that way?
* * *
She was still mulling over these thoughts on Friday, when Lord Whilton arrived at Birchwood House. She watched him from the upper landing window as he rode up the drive on his long-tailed bay. How could she have forgotten what a handsome man he was? Straight-backed in the saddle, his slender frame looked very elegant in a blue riding jacket. With his fair hair and blue eyes, he reminded her of a prince from a fairy tale. She was so relieved that at last he was here. He would put all her doubts to rest.
Flora went back to her room to remove her apron and tidy her hair before going downstairs. Learning that Lord Whilton was with her aunt and uncle in the morning room, she almost ran across the hall and opened the door in time to hear her uncle speaking.
‘We should tell her—’
He broke off when he saw Flora and she said, smiling, ‘Tell me what, Uncle?’
‘No, no, not you, my dear,’ he said hastily.
‘The new scullery maid,’ added Aunt Farnleigh. ‘A trifling matter.’
Flora gave an uncertain laugh. ‘Surely that is of little interest to His Lordship?’
‘Indeed, it is nothing of consequence!’ The Viscount crossed the room towards her. ‘My dear Flora, I hope you have missed me?’
She gave him her fingers and she waited for the tremor of excitement as he kissed her hand. It never came.
‘Welcome back, my lord.’
‘So formal.’ He shook his head at her and murmured, ‘I like to hear my name on your lips, my dear.’
‘Yes of course. Quentin. We did not expect you back so soon.’
‘I could not stay away,’ he said, sitting down with her on the sofa. ‘I was eager to return to my future bride. I want to dance the night away with her at the Condicotes’ Midsummer Ball. And, of course, I must make Whilton Hall ready to receive its new mistress.’
Flora was surprised. ‘When I called, I was informed everything had been arranged and there was nothing for me to do. In fact,’ she added, recalling the housekeeper’s frosty reception, ‘Mrs Goole appeared to resent my being there.’
‘I think you misunderstood the woman, my love.And you will recall my saying that you need not trouble yourself over these little things. Goole is perfectly capable of running Whilton.’
Flora paused to consider her words before replying. ‘I wonder—is she perhaps afraid I shall try to usurp her position?’
She saw him frown, his eyes suddenly wary, but it was gone in an instant and then he was laughing.
‘Usurp her? No, no, my dear. Goole knows that her position is secure. I do not expect you to involve yourself with the housekeeping. I should not wonder if she is a little in awe of my future Viscountess.’
Flora wanted to say she had found the woman’s manner almost hostile, but Quentin had already turned towards her uncle and engaged him in conversation. Well, no matter. She would deal with Mrs Goole herself, once she was mistress at Whilton.
* * *
The Viscount stayed for a full hour before declaring he must go.
‘Until Wednesday, Flora,’ he said, kissing her hand. ‘I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to dancing with you at the ball on Wednesday.’
‘Truly? You intend to stand up with me for more than one dance, this time?’ She could not help sounding a little sceptical.
He laughed. ‘I would partner you for every dance, if that were possible, but how can I deprive our friendsand neighbours of that pleasure? And you dance so beautifully that I take great pleasure in watching you.’ He flicked her cheek with a careless finger. ‘I shall be there with you, my dear, never doubt it!’
He took his leave, but Aunt Farnleigh barely waited for the door to close behind their visitor than she turned to reprimand her niece.
‘I could not help but overhear you, Flora. You really should show a little more deference to the Viscount.’
