Page 40 of A Touch of Charm
No more!
Thea shook her head and hoped that Mary didn’t notice. She’d escaped, yes. But it wasn’t a permanent solution by any means.
“Can we stay out here, please?” Mary pleaded.
“All right, a little longer then.” Thea feigned reluctance to draw out their break but strolled through the park’s lush expanse surrounding Cloverdale House, the morning sun casting a gentle glow over the dew-kissed grass. The air was crisp, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the distant chatter of London seemed to fade into the background. Beside her, Mary skipped with the boundless energy of a child, her laughter ringing like a bell.
Suddenly, Mary’s eyes widened with delight. “Look, Thea! A rabbit” she exclaimed, pointing to a small, fluffy creature with a white cotton tail—just as in children’s books—nibbling on clover. Without a second thought, Mary dashed after it. Her curls bounced in ringlets with each step, peeking out from her bonnet.
“Mary, not too fast!” Thea called with a mix of amusement and concern. She quickened her pace, her skirts rustling against the grass. Thea’s gaze drifted over her shoulder, and her heart skipped a beat.
Andre was there, running effortlessly up the hill toward Mary with long and graceful strides. Thea’s breath caught in her throat. His presence was magnetic, drawing her in with an intensity she couldn’t quite understand. She hadn’t moved with such freedom since her childhood even though her breath came in ragged bursts as she sprinted up the hill to ward off Andre, her feet pounding the earth with a rhythmic urgency. But the closer she came to Andre, the stronger the exhilarating sense of boundlessness swept over her, unshackling her spirit—as if he’d set her heart free. When she reached his side, the sunlight danced on his dark hair, and his eyes, focused and determined, seemed to hold a secret just for her. He cast her a boyish look from the corner of his eyes.
“Again!” Mary cried out joyfully, reaching her hands up to Andre. He picked her up and twirled her in the air, and the little girl screamed with joy—as if Mary’s voice made the exact sounds Thea felt in her heart when she saw Andre.
“Hello, Thea,” Andre said, “I have my hands full.” He laughed heartily, and Thea saw his perfect white smile. Everything about him was packed, handsome, muscular perfection. He held her gaze and set Mary down.
It was such a hot day—or was it just Thea’s chest and face heating when Andre looked at her as he did.
She swallowed and blinked to regain her composure. She tried to, at least.
“I can see you are busy,” Thea jested when Mary’s sudden squeal pulled Thea back to the moment. The little girl had flung herself onto the grass with a delighted “wheeeeee,” rolling down the gentle slope with abandon.
“I always did this with my brother and sister.” Andre’s rich and warm laughter echoed, and Thea found herself momentarily stunned by the thought that he must have had a family he missed even though he never spoke of who was exactly part of his family.
He was tall and seemed careless in a cultivated way, as if he made an effort to push aside his woes and consciously revel in the pleasures of life.
Then Thea realized he was one of them for her—he was a pleasure to look at, with his deep mahogany eyes, ebony waves of hair, and broad shoulders.
But Mary’s laugh woke Thea from her reverie. The girl’s joyful squeal was louder than any other noise around Cloverdale House. It was a laugh that spoke of joy and freedom, a stark contrast to the reserved world she’d fled.
And it had to do with Andre, didn’t it?
Suddenly, Mary plopped into the grass and chuckled with playful glee as she rolled herself into a ball. It had been years since she’d done that, but not too long since she’d watched the peasant children playing outside Bran Castle just like that, rolling down a grassy hill. It had grown typical for Thea to look out her window from her ivory tower and smile at the people outside the castle walls, enjoying the sunny weather while she sat there with a pile of books and her hair pinned up to prepare her for a marriage she didn’t want.
Whoosh!
Mary’s rolling form collided gently with Thea’s legs, and before she could steady herself, she tumbled backward. Strong arms caught her, pulling her into a firm embrace. Thea’s heart raced as she pressed against Andre, their fall cushioned by the soft earth. They rolled together, tangled limbs and laughter until they stopped.
Thea lay still for a moment, the world spinning slightly. Andre’s grip was secure. His touch sent a thrill through her. She let out a small scream, half surprise, half exhilaration. It had been years since she felt this alive, unburdened by society’s expectations.
Andre’s eyes met hers, a playful glint in their depths. “Are you alright, Thea?” he asked, his voice teasing yet gentle.
Alright?That isn’t the word to describe how I feel with you wrapped around me.Delicious? Magical? All the most wonderful tingling feelings mixed together and even better!
She nodded, breathless and smiling, catching sight of Mary, who’d started to pick some flowers. “I haven’t done that since I was a child,” she admitted, a hint of wonder in her voice. The grass tickled her skin, and the sky above seemed impossibly blue.
Considering that she’d already disgraced herself—because it was unseemly for a princess to frolic in a meadow—she let all the rules go and plopped on her back, allowing the sunshine to tickle her nose.
Andre’s presence was intoxicating. In his company, the world felt brighter and more vibrant. Thea realized quickly that she was falling for him, this man who brought laughter and light into her life.
For an instant, she thought Stan called her name but if it were just her conscience preventing her from enjoying Andre’s presence, she’d better ignore caution. She didn’t want to care about the trouble of escaping Prince Ralph or her dynastic responsibilities. As they lay there, the sounds of the park around them and Mary talking to herself as she collected the bouquet of dandelions, Thea knew she was on the brink of something extraordinary. And for the first time in a long while, she was ready to embrace it.
*
Andre had neverbeen more challenged to hide his arousal and hoped it wasn’t obvious when Thea all but toppled into his arms. He tried to stop her fall, but he lost his balance on the slant of the hill and the uneven ground. Instinctively, he caught her.
There hadn’t been time to consider the consequences of feeling her body pressed against his; he’d merely wanted to prevent her from succumbing to an injury.
