Page 13 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
“I am afraid I have not,” she replied.
“The Thames is studded with boats of all kinds and descriptions. There are large crowds of spectators: men, women, and children. We watch from each riverbank, cheering; every head is bent forward even when the boats are not visible,” Leopold explained.
Miss Corbett smiled and her eyes twinkled. “It appears quite a spectacle indeed.”
“Perhaps one day we could see the races,” Leopold said.
“Certainly.” A smile tugged at her lips before she broke into a grin. “Our Cora also adores animals. The last time I checked, she had a hedgehog, a toad, and a stray cat.”
“Ahh. When I was growing up, we had dogs, and I remember missing them when I went off to Eton. They were always so happy to see me when I returned home. They followed me everywhere,” Leopold said.
They wandered off the path and stopped to admire a fountain with a modest spray in a large pond. There were lilies floating on the surface, and it was quite picturesque. They had both just returned to the path when Miss Corbett tripped and stumbled. She threw out her hand to stop herself from falling, but there was nothing there but air. Leopold quickly leaped forward and caught her in his arms. Her lady’s maid, who stood at a polite distance, stepped forward, but she did not proceed when she realized Miss Corbett was not in imminent danger.
Tension flowed through him. Miss Corbett’s body leaning gracefully into his body, caused his heart to thud. She stammered an apology, holding his hand tightly as she tried to rise. Leopold could feel her pulse quicken beneath his fingertips. Once upright, she stared into his eyes with an expression he hadnot seen before. Her cheeks were pink from whatever she felt, for he could see she felt something. He was just not sure what.
He held her for only a few seconds, yet his heart was drumming against his ribs, and a tiny tremor went all over his skin. He was filled with warmth, an internal enveloping of affection for a moment.
I will be damned.
Leopold wondered what had gotten into him. He felt he was being a bit ridiculous because he was acting like an infatuated schoolboy. He did not comprehend all he felt and did not want to distinguish it. He must admit that he enjoyed spending time with Miss Corbett, and they were getting along famously. This is what he hoped for.
“How clumsy of me,” Miss Corbett said, her hot breath brushing past his ear.
“Clumsy you are not, Miss Corbett. My only concern was that you were not harmed.” Leopold understood at that moment how protective he felt.
A sheepish smile touched her mouth. “I am quite all right. I am more embarrassed that hurt, my lord.”
Leopold slowly smiled. “There is no need to be self-conscious with me, Miss Corbett.”
Their eyes met, and she quickly looked away. As they continued down the path, he found himself casting surreptitious glances at Miss Corbett and told himself he was gazing at her far too much.
She blushed when she met his gaze once, and her eyes were downcast thereafter. He did not speak, and they enjoyed the comfort of silence. As the silence extended, Leopold became self-conscious in a way he had never been before. She had agreed to let him court her, and perhaps when they came to know each other, she would want more. That had been his hope after shesaid they were not suited. Leopold had felt confident one could not know their heart without exploring an attachment.
However, now that they were spending time together, he could hardly decipher her feelings. He thought he had seen something in her eyes, but he could not reasonably conceive what it was.
It was time for them to leave the park. As they walked back to the equipage, Leopold thought about the feeling of Miss Corbett in his arms. It felt right. She filled his senses, which were scattered, and he did not even try to get a hold of them to put them back together. When they sat in the equipage, it seemed remarkably smaller than before, such was his awareness of Miss Corbett’s closeness. He found his gaze settling on her beautiful face. He had not realized how blue her eyes were until now.
Leopold wondered if Miss Corbett was feeling the same. Did her heart race wildly when she held on to him? She continued to intrigue him because she did not lay bare her emotions.
He believed that she enjoyed his company, but he wanted more. He yearned for her to want him when he came to her bed and miss him when he was away. Leopold needed to know that he would have her by his side through all his pursuits, thick and thin. He wanted that feeling you get when you have someone and that someone has you. It is the idea that you are stronger, more capable, and more resilient with another person. It is knowing that you are not alone in this world. He wanted the days of loneliness eating him up inside to be behind him.
He knew that Miss Corbett understood his grief. She had shown immense strength in coping with her loss. He needed a companion like herso that when emotions like fear and anxiety washed over him like an enormous tidal wave, she would serve as his rock to keep him grounded.
“Have you ever tried archery?”
She raised a brow. “I am afraid I have not, my lord.”
“It is an enjoyable sport, Miss Corbett. Female archers were rare before, but the queen’s interest in it has revived the sport. I believe you would enjoy it,” Leopold said.
She flashed a smile that warmed his heart. He wished they were alone, for he would have stolen a kiss.
“I would certainly be happy to try it, my lord.” Her expression grew animated. “I have always been fascinated since I read the legends of Robin of Sherwood. Did you know that the legends said that as Sherwood grew older and became ill, Little John placed Sherwood’s bow in his hand and carried him to a window from where Sherwood managed to loose one arrow. Sherwood asked Little John to bury him where the arrow landed, which he did.”
“A good tale,” he said with a smile. “I will call on you on the morrow, and we will give it a go. Did you know that once archery was mainly a weapon of warfare and for hunting. During Norman rule, the English were distinguished for our excellent aim and even our sovereigns themselves were as equally skilled.”
Miss Corbett was quick with her response. “Are we trading knowledge?”
“Hmm, are you impressed? For I am inarguably impressed by you.”
