Page 10 of A Gentleman's Kiss
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Sir Trenton took her arm and guided her along a stone path into what appeared to be a maze of very tall hedge bushes, so tall in fact they towered above her head like a living greenery wall. Lillian was alive with curiosity. She’d never seen something like this before. Every so often there was a bench or fountain, and along the base of the hedges sweet smelling flowers.
“Sir Trenton, I am amazed at your beautiful garden. The way the bushes link together to form paths and dead ends is so clever. I never would have guessed among a bustling city, you could have such an enchanting garden right in your own backyard.”
“You will find out, many houses have such a garden. Haven’t you seen your aunt and uncle’s? It by far, surpasses mine in beauty.”
“Not as of yet. My bedroom faces the street, and I confess to not having had time yet to explore.”
“Well, were I to call on you at your new residence, I should be happy to take you for a walk in the Suffolk gardens.”
“Thank you, Sir Trenton. I shall look forward to it.”
They walked in silence a moment, observing the flowers just beginning to bloom. A few butterflies floated over a patch of roses, their vibrant colors a delight to view. Trenton bent and plucked a flower for Lillian, placing it behind one ear that poke from beneath her white bonnet.
His hand lightly grazed her cheek. “A beautiful flower for a beautiful girl.”
Lillian leaned into his hand, if only for a moment, to feel his touch on her skin. She knew how bad this was, to let him touch her, but it felt so… nice. There was nothing menacing in it, just a sweet caress. So much time had passed since she’d felt the loving caress of another.
Coming to her senses, Lillian reminded herself she’d just met this man, and knew little about him. Letting him caress her in so familiar a fashion was even worse than Lord Wessex watching her sleep—or was it? Oh, dear… She was becoming a wanton for sure! Aunt Georgiana would have her thrown out on her hide before the day was out.
Sir Trenton leaned into her, as if he were going to kiss her. Lillian pulled her head back an inch. Kissing him wasn’t a good idea. Even worse than letting him touch her face. The rules on kissing strangers in America weren’t any different than London—of that she was certain.
But his lips looked so inviting. His touch on her face so soft... Perhaps one small kiss wouldn’t hurt. She leaned back in, preparing to feel the same soft warmth on her lips that she’d felt on her face when he touched her.
“Sir Trenton, do you always kiss the pretty ladies who happen to grace your presence, or is our young American more special?” Lord Wessex’s voice cut through the spring air, and could have turned the blue sky gray.
Lillian gasped and jumped back from Sir Trenton, embarrassed and ashamed at being caught in such a precarious position. Especially having been caught by Lord Wessex. Had he been following her? Was he so jealous? She glanced around to make sure there were no others lurking about who’d just witnessed her indiscretion.
And what did he mean byour? Was he already taking possession of her? Staking his claim? The nerve of him. She glowered at the man in question, but he did not have eyes for her. Instead his gaze centered on Sir Trenton.
Sir Trenton growled low in his throat, and glared at Lord Wessex. The way the two of them stood, chests puffed, feral noises coming from their throats reminded Lillian of a couple of dogs about to fight over a bitch in heat. And dear Lord, was she the bi—?
Irritation swept away all sense, and she stood hands on hips, prepared to give them a tongue lashing.
“I’ll have you know, I was in her bedroom only this morning,” Lord Wessex said with a snicker and a wink in Lillian’s direction.
Lillian’s mouth dropped open for a moment before her shock turned to outrage.
“Not of my knowledge or choosing, Lord Wessex. Now if you’ll excuse me,” she bit out and then brushed past the two men. Tears of frustration threatened to escape.
“Miss Whitmore,” Sir Trenton called out. “Lord Wessex is just leaving, let us continue our walk.”
“Perhaps, you’ll come to call on me sometime in the future, and we could finish our walk in my uncle’s gardens,” Lillian said in her most inviting voice with a low curtsy.
She wanted to continue her walk with Sir Trenton, but she was too afraid she would get carried away with herself again. And Lord Wessex would probably only follow along behind them. Her aunt and uncle would never forgive her, and she wouldn’t make a suitable match if she went around kissing every man she met. Nor would she be able to if Lord Wessex kept coming into her bedchamber and announcing it to the world. She certainly didn’t want to be dependent on her relations for the rest of her life—and at this rate they would toss her on the streets for sure.
Why was Wessex so insistent on tarnishing her reputation? She decided it would be a good idea to confront him on his behavior, if not to get some answers, at least to get him to stop embarrassing her. If anything, he needed to know what was at stake, and that he, with just a few idiotic actions, could permanently damage her reputation and threaten her well-being and safety.
She hastened to turn around and ran smack into the devil himself. Coming to an abrupt stop, she teetered on her feet, swaying backward. Her hands rested on his hard chest, but she pulled them back as if she’d been burned which only unbalanced her more. Lord Wessex’s hands came out to the rescue as he easily gripped her around the waist and righted her.
The pressure of his fingers along her waist and hips seared her through her gown. She was so confused! It waswrongto be so aware of a man.
Their faces were close together and she could feel the inviting length of his body on hers. A strange sensation swept through her, gooseflesh rose along her arms, a knot in her stomach, her core throbbed and her breathing quickened. For a moment she could forget what a nuisance he was, and drown in the gorgeous blue of his eyes. Out of habit rather than deliberately, Lillian reached up and tenderly brushed back a lock of brown hair which had come loose from his impeccably groomed mane.
Lord Wessex sucked in a breath, and hugged her closer to him. His breath was hot on her cheek, sending unfamiliar spirals of pleasure through her limbs. His eyes were now cloudy as he soaked in her face, memorizing her. The muscle in his jaw ticked with agitation.
“Pardon me, my lord, I was just coming to speak with you,” Lillian said, as she gently pushed his arms from her waist and righted herself.
