Page 54 of A Marquess to Save Her
Callum's hands were still on Louise's back and waist where he had held her up from falling and now, she was becoming more aware of his hands on her. Louise coughed lightly as her body tingled all over just by his touch. It was as though her body remembered their escapades from the previous night.
"Are you trying to get me more disgraced in thetonthan I already am?" Louise asked.
If they were seen in that position, tongues would begin to wag and before long, their every move would be monitored by thetonuntil their escapades were discovered.
"Oh!" Callum seemed to finally realize that he still had his hands on her and he quickly withdrew them, even taking a step back from her in order to keep enough distance between them.
"Thank you, Lord Langton," Louise replied, "I noticed that you were not in the breakfast room today."
"Ah!" He replied, smiling, "I was taking care of something but I am here now." Louise nodded. "Why don't you come with me, Lady Louise?" he said, grinning from ear to ear.
Louise could almost swear that Callum was excited about something. "What is the matter?" Louise asked suspiciously, "Is it time for the sculpting?"
"Not quite," he responded, "however, the sculptor would be on the grounds anytime for the grounds and to chaperone us. The sculpting table is already set so we might as well just go there now to sneak a little time alone while we wait for the sculptor."
Louise shrugged. She knew that Callum had something in his mind but she did not quite know what it was.
"Fine, then," she replied as he led her toward the field on the other end of the compound. This part of the estate was not so crowded and she could only see one or two workers nearby. It was obvious that the guests did not fancy visiting this part of the estate.
"What are we doing here all alone? People would throw a fit if they saw us together here without a chaperone," Louise said, looking around nervously.
"Oh, Louise. We would not be alone for long. The sculptor will soon be here and you would have a good reason for not having a chaperone with you," Callum said. Louise shrugged even though she was still a little apprehensive. "I simply wanted to spend time alone with you before the sculptor came," he said.
"Why?" Louise asked.
"Because of this," Callum said, pointing at something behind Louise. It was a basket that was filled with different types of fruits, from berries to cherries and apples.
"Why did you bring me a basket of fruits?" Louise asked, even though she could not help but smile at the sweet gesture.
"Let us sit," Callum said, leading her to a spot on the grounds where a blanket had been laid. When they had finally taken their seat, Louise resumed her questioning.
"Is this why you did not appear at breakfast?" She asked.
Callum nodded. "Indeed. There was no market nearby for the servants to get all the fruits so I took one of the gardeners to search for the fruits with me. I hope you like them."
"I do. However, I do not know why you have decided to do this gesture for me when we..." She trailed off, not being able to bring herself to say the next words that came to her.
"What is the matter, Louise?" Callum asked.
"You are confusing me with these gestures," Louise finally blurted out.
"What? How?" Callum asked.
"You brought me this basket of fruits. If anyone were to see you do the gesture, they would believe that are really courting me," Louise said.
"And how is that such a bad thing, Louise?" Callum asked, "Isn't that what we want thetonto believe, that I am courting you?"
"But no one in thetonis here to see this. You are doing this for me not because you want thetonto believe that we are courting and that just confuses my head," Louise said.
Callum sighed. "I admit, I did not think of thetonwhen I decided to do this. I simply wanted to do a kind gesture for you."
"That is confusing me because you should only do such kind gestures for someone you are genuinely courting," Louise said.
Callum nodded. "I apologize for confusing you, Louise."
Louise looked away from him. Part of her wished that he would just admit that the reason he had brought her the basket of fruits was that he was indeed courting but he did not.
"Moreover, your grandfather lets me know at every chance he gets that I am not good enough to ever become your Duchess. As though I even wanted to become your Duchess," she said, scoffing.
