Page 10 of Lady Elizabeth's Winter Stranger
Mrs.Polkinghorne went red in the face and caught him by the collar.“That’s enough of that, you little horror.I’m so sorry, sir and madam.”
“He’s only trying to shock,” Tom said.“Would you like us to come with you through the park?”
“No, thank you.I’m only a few minutes from home.”She paused.“Unless you’d like to join us for Christmas dinner?There’s plenty, and I’d love to thank you properly for saving my grandson.”
“That’s very kind, but we have another obligation,” Tom said smoothly.
“But my arsewasfrozen,” Cyril protested.
“We’ve heard quite enough about your rear end,” his grandmother scolded.“Happy Christmas to both of you.”
“And merry Christmas to you,” Tom said, tipping his hat to her.“Be good, Cyril.”
He didn’t sound very certain.Elizabeth couldn’t blame him.“Goodbye, Cyril.Goodbye, Mrs.Polkinghorne.Happy Christmas.”
With a wave, Mrs.Polkinghorne hauled a reluctant Cyril away.It was clear that she had no intention of letting the boy run off again.
“If Cyril’s good, it will be a Christmas miracle,” Elizabeth muttered, as Tom drew her back to the path.
“O, ye of little faith, wife,” he said in a laughing voice.
“That was quick thinking,” she said.
Still holding her arm, he began to retrace their path toward the gates.“It gave us a reason to be together without a chaperone.With your gloves on, she wouldn’t notice the lack of a wedding ring.”He paused.“Actually I have no idea if you’re married.Are you?”
“No,” she said, although his question reminded her that she might be soon.The events of the last hour had eclipsed her quandary, but now her dilemma slammed back into her with all its previous impact.
“Well, that’s a relief.”He sounded as if he meant it.
She glanced at him.“Are we going to talk about the kiss?”
Chapter 4
Tom stopped and regarded Elizabeth with a searching attention that she felt to the soles of her feet.“I don’t know.Are we?”
“Would you rather ignore it?”
“That depends.”He continued to eye her uncertainly.“Are you in a mood to slap my face or have hysterics?”
“I’m not the hysterical sort.”
“No, I’ve noticed that.But that doesn’t mean you don’t want to tear a strip off my hide for taking such a liberty.”
“I’m not angry,” she said in a neutral tone.She wasn’t, although perhaps she should be.Instead she was curious, intrigued, beguiled.Edgy with suspense about what might happen next.
Nor was she afraid.She’d believed almost from the first that she could trust him.His manner reeked of benevolence.Cyril had clearly felt the same.
“That’s good.”He subjected her to another of those disturbing surveys that seemed to pierce through to her soul.“I hope you’re not frightened.I did promise to keep you safe, after all.Please believe me when I say my intentions were only of the purest.For the first five minutes of our acquaintance anyway.”
She told herself that if she laughed, it would just deliver her over to his attractions.She wasn’t quite there yet.Nor did she want him making assumptions about her willingness to surrender her virtue.
Elizabeth liked Tom.She liked him as much as she’d liked any man she’d ever met.But she didn’t intend for her uncharacteristic recklessness today to have drastic consequences.
“I don’t in general kiss strangers,” she said.
“I don’t either.”
“Then?”
