helped Serena down from her horse and said nonchalantly, “Lady Talgath’s garden party at her villa in Merton is to-day. Her bluebell wood is famous. I’d be honored if you’d join me.”
Serena smiled. “This is supposed to be the perfect time to see it. I’d love to accompany you.”
“We’ll take my curricle. I’ll come for you at eleven o’clock.” Bringing her hand to his lips, he turned it and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist just above her glove. Finally, she’d be alone with him without all her sharp-eyed—and even sharper-tongued—chaperones.
“I shall look forward to it,” she said breathlessly.
As I am looking forward to making you mine. “Until then, my lady.”
When Robert arrived to collect Serena, she was a vision in a modest-looking, long-sleeved, teal carriage gown trimmed with Brussels lace. He sucked in a breath. Lady Serena was more ravishing each time he saw her.
They filled the hour-long drive to Merton with pleasant conversation. Serena exclaimed over the countryside and pointed out the various plants and birds. She was so happy. Later to-day, he’d make her even happier by asking her to marry him.
Lady Talgath’s villa was set in a park with views of a meadow and an ornamental lake. On the opposite side of the property from the water, the bluebell wood could be reached through a gate. In the dining room, refreshments were laid out.
After everyone had consumed a substantial repast, the older guests relaxed in the rare spring sunshine, while groups of younger people walked to the lake.
Robert led Serena out through the terrace doors. “We can follow those heading to the water, or visit the bluebell wood. I recommend the wood first, then, if time allows, we can walk to the lake.”
Not waiting for her response, Robert twined her arm in his and started toward the wood.
She tugged him to a halt. “Lord Beaumont, you didn’t let me answer. What if I’d wanted to go to the lake first?”
Robert sounded concerned. “You didn’t, did you?”
She gestured to the gate. “Not particularly, we may walk this way first, if you like, though I do wish to see the lake before we leave. Yet, if you ask me a question, please deign to hear my answer.”
“I stand corrected,” Robert said, chagrined. “Please, lead on, my lady.”
Several minutes later, they arrived. Serena was enchanted by the thousands of bluebells dotting the wood and field beyond. “Oh, how lovely it is. We are here at just the right time. They are all in bloom! What a wonderful idea this was.”
Robert stopped breathing when she looked up at him, her face filled with wonder. His heart warmed when Serena smiled. He took a breath. They walked on a little farther before he was certain they were alone.
Leading her a little off the path, he paused under an osier, the willow’s long weeping limbs just beginning to leaf. “You like this place then? You’re glad we came this way first?”
Serena glanced at him, her eyes soft. “I thought you a little dictatorial in your insistence, but the prospect is lovely. Yes, I’ll admit I am glad we came here first.”
Robert leaned back against a tree, drawing her to him. There was a good reason he had brought her here now, when the others were at the lake.
He bent his head and kissed her, running the tip of his tongue tantalizingly across her lips. He captured her mouth as she opened to him. Tilting his head to deepen the kiss, he slowly stroked her from her nape to her waist, urging her closer still until her breasts touched his chest. He reveled in the light scent of her hair, of her.
She shivered as his tongue played with hers, and her hands slid from his chest up to his shoulders. Even through his coat, he felt her heavy breasts and hard nipples. His desire for her grew. He held her more tightly. Women had always responded to him, but never like Serena did.
Shivers of delight ran through Serena as his tongue played with hers. She slid her hands
Serena smiled. “This is supposed to be the perfect time to see it. I’d love to accompany you.”
“We’ll take my curricle. I’ll come for you at eleven o’clock.” Bringing her hand to his lips, he turned it and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist just above her glove. Finally, she’d be alone with him without all her sharp-eyed—and even sharper-tongued—chaperones.
“I shall look forward to it,” she said breathlessly.
As I am looking forward to making you mine. “Until then, my lady.”
When Robert arrived to collect Serena, she was a vision in a modest-looking, long-sleeved, teal carriage gown trimmed with Brussels lace. He sucked in a breath. Lady Serena was more ravishing each time he saw her.
They filled the hour-long drive to Merton with pleasant conversation. Serena exclaimed over the countryside and pointed out the various plants and birds. She was so happy. Later to-day, he’d make her even happier by asking her to marry him.
Lady Talgath’s villa was set in a park with views of a meadow and an ornamental lake. On the opposite side of the property from the water, the bluebell wood could be reached through a gate. In the dining room, refreshments were laid out.
After everyone had consumed a substantial repast, the older guests relaxed in the rare spring sunshine, while groups of younger people walked to the lake.
Robert led Serena out through the terrace doors. “We can follow those heading to the water, or visit the bluebell wood. I recommend the wood first, then, if time allows, we can walk to the lake.”
Not waiting for her response, Robert twined her arm in his and started toward the wood.
She tugged him to a halt. “Lord Beaumont, you didn’t let me answer. What if I’d wanted to go to the lake first?”
Robert sounded concerned. “You didn’t, did you?”
She gestured to the gate. “Not particularly, we may walk this way first, if you like, though I do wish to see the lake before we leave. Yet, if you ask me a question, please deign to hear my answer.”
“I stand corrected,” Robert said, chagrined. “Please, lead on, my lady.”
Several minutes later, they arrived. Serena was enchanted by the thousands of bluebells dotting the wood and field beyond. “Oh, how lovely it is. We are here at just the right time. They are all in bloom! What a wonderful idea this was.”
Robert stopped breathing when she looked up at him, her face filled with wonder. His heart warmed when Serena smiled. He took a breath. They walked on a little farther before he was certain they were alone.
Leading her a little off the path, he paused under an osier, the willow’s long weeping limbs just beginning to leaf. “You like this place then? You’re glad we came this way first?”
Serena glanced at him, her eyes soft. “I thought you a little dictatorial in your insistence, but the prospect is lovely. Yes, I’ll admit I am glad we came here first.”
Robert leaned back against a tree, drawing her to him. There was a good reason he had brought her here now, when the others were at the lake.
He bent his head and kissed her, running the tip of his tongue tantalizingly across her lips. He captured her mouth as she opened to him. Tilting his head to deepen the kiss, he slowly stroked her from her nape to her waist, urging her closer still until her breasts touched his chest. He reveled in the light scent of her hair, of her.
She shivered as his tongue played with hers, and her hands slid from his chest up to his shoulders. Even through his coat, he felt her heavy breasts and hard nipples. His desire for her grew. He held her more tightly. Women had always responded to him, but never like Serena did.
Shivers of delight ran through Serena as his tongue played with hers. She slid her hands
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