Page 72 of Bargaining for the Barrister
He brushed his mouth against hers again, sending her head spinning. When he pulled back, he was smiling again. “Do you believe me now?”
“Hmm?”
“That I care for you?”
She smiled. “I believe you.” Did she know to what extent or what it meant for them? No. But something wonderful was building between them. For now, knowing he cared was enough.
He placed a tender kiss on her forehead, filling her with reassurance. When he drew back again, there was a new light in his eyes. “Do you think your brother will give his permission for a swimming lesson?”
Confused, her forehead pinched together in the middle. “A swimming lesson?”
“Mm,” he said, dropping his arms and abruptly standing. “We’d better ask straightaway.” He did not wait for her to stand but leaned down and, with a hand on either side of her, lifted her to her feet. He bent and snatched up her riding hat, handing it to her. “Do you think you can ride, or would you rather I fetch a carriage?”
He turned away from her and went directly to the horses. She blinked rapidly. “I... I can ride.” What was all this about swimming lessons? What about kissing? She’d much prefer that. Even as she thought it, she knew their stolen moment had to end sometime. Paul still had things to work out with Mrs. Hammond, and Logan was waiting.
Paul pulled Misty to her and extended his hand. She stared at it, the same hand that had stayed fisted at his side and never reached to anyone. She grabbed it with her own, wishing he would hold on to her forever. He tugged her to him and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. There was no time to savor the simple, sweet gesture that was just for her, because he put his hands on her waist and lifted her into the saddle.
Louisa wrapped her leg around the lower pommel and settled herself better while Paul mounted his own horse. “Swimming lessons? Really?” She grimaced.
He laughed. “Really. We can’t wait too long either. We cannot have you being afraid of anything. Knowing you, you’ll probably love it once you learn.”
She urged Misty forward. “But you don’t love it, so why should I?” Besides, after her ordeal today, she imagined she would need days, weeks, or maybe years before she considered swimming lessons. And, of course, there was the other matter to consider—dare she ruin this easiness between them by reminding him that she was leaving? There was no time for lessons, and yet, Louisa couldn’t douse the fire of excitement in Paul’s eyes, nor the one burning in her heart.
“Just wait,” he said. “You will see.”
The teasing glint in his expression made her shake her head and laugh. The rest of the ride to Bellmont was filled with more banter and long looks. Neither of them was in a hurry, Louisa least of all.
y
Lady Kellen’s carriage had returned to Bellmont Manor. The fact that a footman was folding the step back up meant it sat empty. Paul dismounted and helped Louisa do the same. She was a bad influence on him. Just being near her again made him feel brave. Possibly stupid as well. A stableboy raced forward to care for their horses, allowing Paul to focus on Louisa. He loved her. He’d known the moment she fell into the pond. In all truth, he had loved her for far longer, but only then had he fully admitted it to himself. He had been given a second chance to fix things, and he was determined to do so. He tucked her arm under his own and caught her smile. It wasn’t the same intensity as it had been after he kissed her, but it was far better than at Rothbrier an hour before.
“Where do you think we will find that brother of yours?” Paul asked, slowing his eager steps up the stairs to match hers.
“At home he would be in his study. Here, my guess is as good as yours.”
The butler let them into the vestibule. “Lord Reynolds is in the drawing room, Mr. Sheldon.”
“Thank you,” Paul said, “but I am actually looking for Mr. Cox.”
Louisa handed the butler her damaged hat. He took it and said, “In the drawing room as well, sir.”
The two of them went in that direction. Upon opening the door, the occupants of the room stood, and Paul’s smile faltered. Mr. Cox, Ian, Lady Kellen, and... his mother. His clothes were half dried, and Louisa was wearing his jacket, but he knew they were quite the sight. For some reason, standing in front of his mother made him squirm with guilt. He might as well admit the fact that he had been alone with Louisa and had thoroughly kissed her.
“Good heavens!” She hurried forward. “What happened?”
“I fell into the upper pond,” Louisa said more to her brother than to Mrs. Sheldon. “Thankfully, Mr. Sheldon is a fine swimmer and rescued me.”
“How frightened you must have been.” Lady Kellen put her hand over her heart. “We must get you into something dry.”
Paul was far too eager to complete his errand to wait for Louisa to change. A maid would likely call for a bath and maybe even a food tray. He eyed the teacup in Logan’s hand and acted on an idea. “Miss Cox should take some tea to warm her first, don’t you think?” He put his hand on the small of her back and led her toward an open chair next to her brother. Once she was seated, he rested his hand on the back of her chair, not ready to be parted from her. If he wasn’t careful, they would be parted forever.
Lady Kellen poured a cup of tea for Louisa and handed it to her. Louisa accepted it and then looked up at Paul. “Weren’t you going to ask Logan about something?”
He glanced up and met Ian’s scowl of confusion. Paul could handle disappointing his friend but never his mother. “Yes, I do have something to ask him.”
“Go ahead,” Logan prompted.
Paul blew out his breath and straightened his posture. His hands went behind his back like they often did when he was delivering evidence to a judge in court. Except, this time, he looked the part of the vulnerable client more than he did the confident barrister. “Before I ask my question,” he said, “I would like to take up a matter with all of you.”
