Page 30 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
“Why do you give me a winner, do you want me to beat you?” she asked, putting her fingers around the flat, smooth pebble. As she went to pull it away, he did not let go.
“And now I have you close to me once again; maybe we should finish what we almost started yesterday?” he said, looking into her radiant green eyes.
She could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek as he leaned ever closer to her. All she had to do was turn her head and their lips would meet. Her skin flushed, and she could hear the thud in her ear of a heartbeat drumming with excitement. They could enjoy their first kiss, right here, right now—
For a moment, she did not let go of the pebble or pull away, but she sensed the danger of giving in and stepped back. Ethan sighed, and then placed the pebble in her palm, pressuring her no further.
Stepping over to the edge of lake water, Josephine positioned her body as he had taught her to do, so many years ago. Her arm reached out and she let go of the stone. It was a good stone, but it skipped only once before sinking into the calm water.
Ethan followed with his turn, using a stone he had already chosen. She watched his stone bounce four times before it disappeared beneath the surface.
“Want to try again?” he asked, raising his brows as he offered her another chance to beat him.
This time, he stood close behind her. When she threw her stone, it gained two bounces before sinking. Ethan placed his warm hands on her arms and congratulated her.
“See!" he said, picking up another stone. "You are already getting the hang of it. I knew you would not forget all that I taught you."
Over the next half hour, they played the skimming game. Ethan made no more moves of intimacy as he had sensed her bashfulness. Josephine felt a little disappointment at his detachment, but she knew in her heart that it was for the best. Besides, she was having fun playing the game with him. They talked and they laughed as they threw stone after stone.
“That must put me ahead of you,” she announced with a chuckle.
“What are you two doing?”
Other familiar voices came to her ears, and she turned to see Ethan’s siblings arriving. They had pushed their way through the long branches of the shrubbed pathway.
“Ah, the skimming game, I see. Well, I am up for the challenge.” Anthony laughed out loud. “Fancy you two playing our best game, without the full team at hand.”
He picked up a couple of stones and gave one to Cedric. Both brothers took their turns whilst Lady Matilda watched on with amusement. When Josephine took her turn and equalled the men’s attempts, she could see that Lady Matilda was looking a little lonely as she sat by herself.
“Do you play, Matilda?” It was Anthony who called over to her. “It is quite easy once you have practiced.”
“Why ever would I enjoy throwing stones into a lake?” she asked. “I do not see any amusement in watching a pebble bounce over water.”
As Josephine, Ethan, and even Cedric continued to throw with skill, Anthony took the time out to explain to her. “It is about making the stone bounce, you see, as if it is flying over the water.”
“Should you be allowing a servant girl to behave in such a way?” Lady Matilda remarked as she stood up and looked over at Josephine. It seemed that only Josephine had heard, and her heart sank at the remark. None of the brothers took any notice, but Josephine stopped participating as she felt so belittled.
“I say that we must be getting back," Lady Matilda called out, forced to raise her voice over the laughs and rowdy cheering of the stone-throwers. "Your sister will be wondering where we are.”
Josephine felt utterly ashamed that she had allowed herself to play like a child.Lordy, what am I doing here when I should be working?she thought, and at that same moment she noticed Cedric throwing her a wicked glare.
Her stomach sank and her mouth became watery as nausea hit her senses. How had she allowed herself to be pulled into trying to beat her betters? She looked around, confused, unsure how she could ever have thought to join in. What if one of them reported her behaviour to the marquess?
“I… erm, I am so sorry, Lady Matilda,” she apologised, curtsying as she approached the lady. Within seconds, Josephine scurried back through the opening and did not once look back
Shocked at her own behaviour, she rushed back to the picnic area. Straightening out her dishevelled clothing, she was relieved to see that all appeared to be normal. No one was aware that she had behaved in such an inappropriate manner, and she hoped that no one would ever find out either.
Chapter 24
Josephine had not slept well on the night of the picnic. She had gone to bed with her mind full of conflicting thoughts.
Should I have turned around to leave as soon as he arrived? But I could not leave him, it was such a precious moment. How could I have missed the opportunity to be alone with my heart’s love? But then being alone with any man is totally unacceptable. Oh dear, I should have known better. I should have behaved accordingly, I am such a fool!
She tossed and turned in her bed, so many conflicting opinions whirling in her head.
Although the others did not seem at odds when they found us alone. I wonder if they still look upon me as family?
She sat up, she lay down, she turned and huffed and puffed at her inability to stop thinking.
