Page 63 of A Marquess to Save Her
"Not when you are planning to slip out without saying goodbye," he replied.
Louise sighed. "I did not wish to wake you up," she said.
"Or maybe you simply want to leave before I wake up because you would rather not face me," he said. Louise looked away. "Come here," Callum said to her, patting the bed beside him. Despite her senses telling her to leave, Louise obliged, sitting beside him.
"I am happy to have come across you at this house party, Louise," he said, "I would forever cherish the time we spent together."
This outburst of emotion from Callum was surprising to Louise and yet, she found it exciting in more ways than one. She moved over to him, kissing him full on the lips. Louise loved to kiss him. It was an intimate act even long after, she still remembered how his lips felt against hers, how his tongue probed in her mouth feverishly, as though searching her out, and how he would place his hand at the back of her head to draw her closer to him. She loved how it felt to kiss and be kissed.
Callum withdrew from the kiss and stared at her.
“Louise,” he said, earnestly.
Louise’s heart sank and she assumed the worst. “It is fine if you wish to put an end to this,” she quickly said.
“Why would you think that, Louise?” he asked.
She shrugged.
“I may not know what would happen with us tomorrow but I know now that I care deeply for you. More than I could have imagined when you first entered the dark room on that night,” he said.
Louise smiled. They chatted and laughed into the night. When Louise had managed to sneak into her room without her family noticing, she lay in bed, smiling from ear to ear. Even though they would be departing from the house party at daybreak and she may never be able to spend as much time with Callum again, she was satisfied. The house party had been an unforgettable experience, but she was now ready to face her real life.
* * *
It had been a week since the party ended and while Louise had been in high spirits at first, her enthusiasm had now given way to apprehension. With every waking day, she was reminded of the fact that she and her family risked being thrown out of the house that they had known to be home all their lives.
The fact that she had not laid her eyes on Callum ever since the house party did not make her feel any better. Even though she would like to pretend that what they shared was simply a fling, she knew it was more than that…at least to her.
Every day, she woke up half-hoping that Callum would come into her home, profess his undying love for her, proclaim that he had not been able to put her out of his mind, and ask for her hand in marriage. But Louise knew that that would never happen. She also knew that Callum had probably never even thought about her for once since the house party ended. And while she spent all day moping around at home, he was probably in town drinking with his peers and having fun with other women.
Louise's heart clutched in her chest just at the thought of Callum touching other women in the way he touched her. She was relieved to be put out of her misery for a while when her aunt strode into her room, two necklaces in one hand and a newspaper in the other hand.
"Louise, dear, would you be so kind as to help me choose the best necklace to use with this dress?" Aunt Theodora said, “And could you read me the newspaper when I return?”
Aunt Theodora had earlier informed her that she was going to Gunter's Tea Shop with the Duke.
"You look absolutely radiant in this blue dress, Aunt," Louise said, and she meant every word of it.
Ever since Aunt Theodora started courting the Duke, she seemed happier and more cheerful and it reflected in her looks too. "Oh, Louise. You flatter me," Aunt Theodora replied.
"You know I do not," Louise responded, "I am certain the Duke would positively swoon at the sight of you today."
Aunt Theodora smiled and Louise could see a tinge of blush on her cheeks. "Now, what do you say about the neckpieces?" Aunt Theodora asked, "This piece is exquisite but may also seem garish. This piece is dainty but seems too simple. What do you think, Louise?"
"I say go with the dainty piece. It complements your dress and the date just fine," Louise replied.
"Oh, aren't you such a darling," Aunt Theodora crooned, "now if you will just help me put on the necklace.”
Louise sprang up to help her aunt. "There it looks beautiful," she announced after helping her aunt with the neckpiece.
“Are you not supposed to be entertaining your visitors?” Aunt Theodora asked.
Louise sighed. “I am feeling a little under the weather. Therefore, I have instructed the maids to tell them to come back at a later day.”
Aunt Theodora peered curiously at her and Louise was relieved when she left without remarking on it. Ever since they got back from the party, Louise had gotten daily visits from eligible bachelors.
Aunt Theodora said her goodbyes before she left for her tea shop meeting with the Duke. Louise smiled as she watched her aunt get into the carriage from the window, with a big smile on her face. Seeing her aunt be so happy in her old age made Louise just a tad hopeful. If Aunt Theodora could find love at sixty years old, then she certainly had all the time in the world to meet the right person.
