Page 53 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Chapter Sixteen

Louisa stayed withthe group for almost five minutes before catching Lord Boxling’s eyes and tilting her head to the left. They peeled away from the others, who continued on, and headed to the east. She kept Fancy at a steady canter for several minutes, the viscount keeping pace with her by her side. Occasionally, she would point at something and say a few words about it.

They rode to the top of a ridge which overlooked a majority of the estate. Lord Boxling swung from the saddle and then helped her down. He did smell very nice, a combination of bergamot and orange spice. He also cut a dashing figure, with his dark, wavy hair and dark eyes and tall frame. He dressed immaculately, as well, the best dressed of all the guests at the house party. She remembered he mentioned sowing many wild oats and wondered if his taste in clothing might be a holdover from days when he chased after the opposite sex.

“Come look over here,” she told him, moving to the tip of the ridge. “You can see most of Cliffside from here. There are the main house and stables. The gardens are over there. The tenant farmers have their cottages that way. The fields for growing crops are next to them.” She paused. “And over there you can see the sea.”

The viscount stood next to her, gazing out. She glanced at his profile for a moment and found him very appealing.

“I think this view is magnificent,” she said.

Lord Boxling turned and faced her. “And I believe you are magnificent,” he said softly.

She heard her breath catch. “Oh! I am afraid I don’t know how to reply to that, my lord. I know it is a compliment. One I never thought to receive.”

His hands sought and found hers. Even through her gloves, she could feel the heat.

“I don’t know why not,” he said. “You are a remarkable woman, Miss Goulding. As knowledgeable as you are beautiful.”

She shook her head. “Now I know you are flattering me, my lord.”

“Why so?”

“My cousins are beautiful women. In the right gown and light, I can be pretty at best.”

He smiled. “Then this is certainly the right light and most definitely the right gown.”

“Riding habit,” she corrected, feeling her cheeks heat.

“Riding habit,” he agreed, his hands squeezing hers.

They stared at each other and he finally said, “I would like to kiss you, Miss Goulding. Might you be agreeable to that suggestion?”

Her cheek now burned. “I... suppose so, my lord.” She swallowed hard. “If you want to.”

His eyes gleamed. “Oh, I most certainly want to, Miss Goulding.” He paused. “Might you share with me your Christian name?”

“Louisa,” she said breathlessly, her heart racing.

“Louisa,” he repeated as he clasped her shoulders and lowered his lips to hers.

The kiss was gentle. Unrushed. Sweet.

But it wasn’t Owen.

She placed a palm against Lord Boxling’s chest to steady herself as she flung thoughts of Owen as far as she could.

He broke the kiss, his lips hovering just above hers. “That was nice.”

“Yes, it was,” she said, swallowing.

It had been nice. Better than her first two kisses had been. Much better, in fact. If she had not kissed Owen, then she would now be perfectly happy.

She was happy, she told herself. A handsome viscount who was thinking about getting married and liked children had kissed her. What woman wouldn’t be happy in these circumstances?

“Louisa, may I kiss you again?” he asked.

“Please,” she whispered, hoping, praying that this man might be the one for her.

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