Page 16 of The Dream of Love
He seemed lost in thought, so she hesitated to approach him.
There may have been a little cowardice involved, too. Especially now that she understood more about men and women and what drew them to each other. Love was fragile. There were so many ways it could fall apart. Her parents were an obvious example, although she doubted they had ever been in love.
Mutual hatred from the moment they first set eyes on each other. Yet, this had not stopped them from marrying.
A twig crunched under her foot, drawing Adam’s attention. “Remi?”
She nodded. “I did not mean to disturb you. I came here to read, but I’ll find myself another spot.”
He rose and came toward her, seeming to dominate the entire outdoors as he strode to her side. He arched an eyebrow when he noticed the book she held.
Did he just wince?
He took her hand. “No, stay. I only needed a moment here. You may have the place to yourself.”
“I wish you would stay with me. We can read the book together.”
You would think she had just suggested they eat worms, he looked that horrified. “I am not reading that book.”
“Why? Are you afraid of it?”
“Of a book?”
“Of the truth it will reveal about kissing and touching and falling in love. Everyone needs to feel loved. I am desperate for it, as you well know. And you are desperate to hide from it. Why are you here, Adam?”
He glanced around the scenic spot. “Lovely day. Quiet of the woods. Good for a moment’s reflection.”
“No, I mean, why are you in Wellesford and not with your family in Inverness?”
“That again. Not a topic for discussion. I’ll see you tomorrow, Remi.”
“Please don’t go. I won’t ask you any more questions. I’ll set the book aside for now. Just stay with me, please.”
He sighed but gave a curt nod.
She smiled back, hoping he would not notice how completely he overwhelmed her senses. Everything about him was perfect.
How was she ever going to make him kiss her?
Perhaps she would build up the courage over the next few days. “The Sherbournes have decided to throw me a party.” She followed him when he moved to stand beside the riverbank. “You’ll be invited, of course. Promise me you will attend.”
He nodded and returned his gaze to the water. “I’ll be there.”
It was little more than a gently flowing stream, but it represented something to Adam. Perhaps the swift currents of life. How fleeting their existence.
“Poppy and Olivia are convinced I’ll find a man who will marry me at the party. I mean, not marry me then and there, but who will want to marry me.”
“Then your father will no longer be a threat to you?”
“He’ll always be a threat. Men may want to marry me, but few are strong enough to defy him. I don’t have the heart to tell Poppy and Olivia their party will likely fail. They have been so kind to me.” She took off her shoes and stockings and set them on the bench beside her book.
He frowned. “What are you doing?”
“Am I not allowed to dip my feet in the water?” She carefully waded in. “Oh! It’s cold! But it feels so good. Come in with me.”
Adam’s smile reached into the silvery-blue depths of his eyes. “No, I prefer watching you.”
She could have uttered a comment about how this is what he was doing with his life, standing aside, watching it stream by. Never jumping in. Never making a fool of himself…as she was about to do, for something long and wriggling just moved through her legs.
