Page 11 of Lady Elizabeth's Winter Stranger
When he looked abashed, the impression charmed her.Society was full of dominant, endlessly confident men.It was nice to be in the company of someone who wasn’t convinced that he had all the answers.“That was a deuced tall oak tree and Cyril was a long way up.”
“Yes,” she said, not sure where Tom was going with this.
His shrug was equally charming.“I didn’t want to break my neck without kissing you first.”
“Oh,” she said, taken aback and captivated at the same time.Something melted inside her.The same something that had become all hot and confused when Tom had remarked on the color of her hair, as if he’d discovered a treasure at the bottom of a deep well.
A self-deprecating smile curled his lips.“When a man’s just met the prettiest girl he’s ever seen, it would be a cruel fate indeed that decreed he die without kissing her.”
“That’s…” She was definitely blushing now.“Thank you.”
“No, thankyou.I have a feeling that when I’m an old man breathing his last, I’ll smile to remember the snowy Christmas Day when I kissed a beautiful stranger in Hyde Park.”
Elizabeth goggled at him, as she struggled to come up with some adequate response to the extravagant compliment.It wasn’t as if men had never said ridiculous things to her before.At the recent house party, her most persistent admirer had likened her eyes to sapphires and her lips to rubies and claimed that angels sang when they danced together.
Elizabeth had had trouble holding in her laughter.
She didn’t feel like laughing now.When she studied Tom’s face, what she really wanted to do was fling herself into his arms and beg him to kiss her again.And take his time on this occasion.That last kiss had ended before she had a chance to settle in and enjoy it.
She couldn’t do that.Despite today’s larks, she retained that much awareness of propriety.
He smiled at her with such sweetness that her innards turned to syrup.“I’ve shocked you.”
“Yes.”They started to stroll toward the gates that she could see in the distance.
“I can’t believe nobody’s told you you’re beautiful before.That would mean every man in London needs new spectacles.”
“The difference is that you sound like you mean it.”She only realized how vain that sounded, once the words had left her mouth.“I mean…”
His smile broadened.That smile was jollier than puppies and dancing a waltz and Christmas.That smile made her realize that she was on the verge of more trouble than she could handle.“There’s no need for false modesty.If the gentlemen of Britain don’t shower you with praise, I despair of them.”
In what had been an awful day full of inconvenient travel, starting in the cold predawn hours with a cranky, ill maid, and crowned with her father’s humiliating letter, this time with Tom stood out as remarkably pleasant.Elizabeth wished she hadn’t been so insistent on leaving, although every rule asserted that she bring the encounter to a close as soon as she could.
Tom’s mind must work along similar lines because his footsteps slowed.When he bent his head to her, his soft purr made every hair on her body stand up with awareness.“Do you really have to go so soon?I feel Cyril has dominated our time together, and I’d love the chance to get to know you better.”
Elizabeth couldn’t help thinking that if she dallied a little longer, he might kiss her again.She liked that idea.She was caught between the Scylla and Charybdis of Stanton Morley-Bridges and Great-Aunt Agatha.The prospect of this handsome hero seizing her in his arms and taking her mind off her dilemma was dangerously appealing.
“I could probably stay for a little while.”The family weren’t due back for ages yet, even without the heavy snow that was likely to delay them.Another hour with Tom wouldn’t make much difference to the risks that she’d already taken, although it would make a difference to her.
He rested his gloved hand on hers where it curled around his elbow.Through two layers of leather and with the air so sharp, heat shouldn’t flood her.But his touch filled her with summer.
“However…” she said, not sure how to explain that this concession didn’t mean she conceded altogether.
Another sweet smile that made Elizabeth wish she could stay out here with Tom forever.In his company, she forgot her troubles.Instead she found endless understanding and kindness and admiration.
But of course, a life in Hyde Park wasn’t practical.For a start, it was too cold in December to set up residence.Not to mention that she knew nothing about him.That was part of the appeal: they were true strangers, owing each other nothing.But presumably like her, Tom had a family and obligations and a life beyond rescuing small boys and flirting with random damsels.
“I assure you, I’ll continue to treat you with all due respect.”A glint of devilry entered his eyes, turning them bright silver.“Unless you’re interested in more kisses.I wouldn’t be averse to those.”
Wry humor turned her mouth down.“In the most respectful fashion, of course.”
“Of course.”He regarded her with a question in his eyes.“So you’re not going to rush off and abandon me to the icy wilderness?”
“Like the ending ofFrankenstein?”
Pleasure lit his expression.“I couldn’t put that story down.”
“Neither could I.I felt the most delicious shivers when I read it.And I couldn’t sleep afterward.”She’d read the novel shortly after it came out last year.It had been published anonymously, but society was abuzz with rumors about the author’s identity.Most people she knew assumed it was the scandalous Lord Byron.
