Page 42 of A Lovely White Christmastide
“Because I am a curmudgeon that does not want to put his disgusting hand on display for all to see.”
Her arms dropped to her sides and she glared at him. “Your hand is in no way disgusting, and I will not stand by and let you brazenly demean yourself.” She crossed the distance between them and took his wilted hand in hers, lifting it above her head, and boldly placed her hand on his waist.
Warmth spread out from the contact. Hesitantly he placed his hand on her waist, completing the stance of the countrywaltz. There was no music other than that of the earth; a rustle of wind through the bare trees and the sound of a lone cricket the only accompaniment as they began moving about in a large circle.
Gradually they inched closer to one another sharing warmth, but no words. Carswell’s heart beat wildly in his chest. They should not be alone like this. What if they were discovered? He smirked. Actually, worse things could happen.
That his feelings had traveled so far where Beth was concerned as to consider marriage a viable option made his feet completely stop.
The sound of Beth’s heavy breathing filled his ears and he pulled back to peer at her. Her beautiful blue eyes blinked up at him but she did not shy away from his gaze. She released his hand and he slowly lowered his arm to loop around the other side of her waist.
She shivered, her nose and ears bright red.
“I should get you back inside.” He studied her face, waiting for her to agree.
Instead, she slipped her other arm between them placing her hand flat against his chest. If he’d thought his heart could not beat any faster, he was wrong. His eyes dipped to her lips, the same lips that had brushed his cheek in the carriage.
“I am perfectly warm here… with you,” she whispered.
The hush of her words echoed through him, slowing his rapidly beating heart to an even thrum—much like the rhythmic beat of the Royal Army’s drummer boy as he led them into battle. With it, came the same excitement mixed with fear. Kissing Beth might be the biggest victory he’d ever experience, but just like with war, there were risks.
He would not die, of course. But if she rejected him, if she disliked his attentions or found him insufficient in some way…well some injuries were so deep they could not be seen by the human eye.
A breeze fluttered one of her blonde curls about her face. She closed her eyes. Whether it was an effort to ward off the hair or done in anticipation he did not know, but it was all the invitation he needed.
He pressed his lips to hers. They were cool at first, but warmed as he gently moved. She responded beautifully, the arm wrapped about his waist tightened and he obliged her by deepening the kiss.
A feeling he could not distinguish bubbled up from within. It was warm and comforting, bringing utter contentment, while at the same time exciting and new. He’d never experienced such a complex sensation before.
After a moment, he pulled back, knowing in their current secluded situation it was up to him to be an honorable gentleman.
Beth’s eyes fluttered open and a dreamy smile lit her face. “Thank you.”
He chuckled. “You are welcome, I think. I am not sure I have ever been thanked for kissing someone before.”
She tilted her head. “Is that what you were doing? I thought you were simply being a gentleman and warming my lips for me.”
He guffawed. She grinned and pulled away from him.
When he was finally able to get his laughter under control, he said, “You surprise me at every turn, Beth. One minute you are as timid as a mouse and the next you are as comical as a court jester.”
“I hope that is a good thing.”
He took her hand. “It is a very good thing. But I think it best if I return you to the warmth of the assembly rooms. Toomuchunselfishnesson my part would not be good for your reputation.”
Chapter Thirteen
Daniel smiled at his partner. Something had changed between him and Miss Julianna ever since their kiss in the drawing room. It was as if someone had filled their shoes with magnets that attracted one another, for they often found themselves in the same room deep in conversation about anything from their families’ Christmastide traditions to their hopes for the future. He found he could not get enough of her company.
Yet tonight, he needed to pace himself. Propriety dictated that they only dance one set together—two if he really cared for her—but he wished she could be his only partner. No other lady held a candle to her in beauty or personality. He adored her vivacious spirit and her clever wit. Even more, she had a caring nature evident in her thoughtful interactions with her sister and aunt and uncle.
“A penny for your thoughts?” she asked when the dance brought them back together.
“I was thinking about the care you have taken to bring my friend and your sister together.”
“Do not discount yourself, Mr. Kaye. I could not have done half so much if you’d not taken on the dubious task of soothing Mrs. Barker’s ruffled feathers after Beth’s reproof.”
“Do dragons have feathers? I thought they were covered in thick armored scales.”
