Page 62 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“I'll show you how it feels to be robbed.” Leah said suddenly, trying to yank him back to a place where happier thoughts ran over the grim ones.
She pulled him abruptly against the hedge, grappling one of his wrists and twisting it up in a way that he could not move it without causing great pain.
She then pressed firmly against him, shoving his back into the branches, and swiftly pulled a short pin from her hair. Gripping it between her thumb and forefinger, she positioned it directly against Kenneth's throat. She had him at her mercy.
“With one little bit of force, you're nothing, and I'm everything.” she whispered, her face surprisingly close to his. She increased the pressure on the pin. “Let's have that time piece.”
Her hand holding his wrist expertly ducked into his jacket pocket and slowly pulled forth a golden time piece on a long chain.
“Do you feel afraid?” she whispered, ever so close to his fine jaw line.
“I feel strongly.” Kenneth whispered back. “Although it is not fear.”
Leah pushed another few inches forward and met his lips with hers. A rocket of blinding, swirling heat shot off within her, shooting up and bouncing wildly between the walls of her torso.
Then she pulled away from him briskly, stowing the pin, and cleared her throat while she strained her dress in between the hedge rows.
“What was...” Kenneth seemed utterly stunned.
“Come along.” Leah teased. “We're still walking.” She began to pace slowly away from him through the garden greens. She felt aglow from the contact, and knew that he could only feel the same, and yet she hoped that it would just die away as fast as it occurred.
“Wait!” Kenneth exclaimed, clambering after her. “How can you simply walk away? You just–”
“Just what?” She turned.
“Just kissed me.” Kenneth finally seemed to manage the words from his mouth.
“Or did you kiss me, Your Grace?” She gave him a playful, yet dangerous look.
“What difficult game is this?” Kenneth asked, incredulously. “I cannot fathom it!”
“And why is that?” Leah asked coyly. Although she had greatly enjoyed the kiss, and felt the emotional response it gave her, she also knew that she had him wrapped around her finger.
“Why is what? What?” Kenneth was still flustered. He seemed completely disarmed.
“Come now you cannot say you do not have feelings for me?” Leah teased, taking his arm again and forcing him to continue the stroll in normality.
“And so, what then?” It looked as if Kenneth couldn't make sense of what was happening. “What does any of it mean? I must confess I am thoroughly displaced.”
“Displaced, are you?”
“Utterly.”
Leah looked up at him while they walked. His face was bright red, and yet he was completely engrossed in her.
“I care for you Kenneth, but I could not work in your firm. I have already stayed too long at this house. We are two worlds apart. I must be getting on.”
“On to where?”
“Just, away from here.” Leah was tactfully trying to avoid the subject of her attempted assassination. It hurt her to see him so distraught and confused by her words, but it was superior to the alternative.
“But come now, you must not think that we will not see each other again? What good is there in that? I can provide you with allowance, salary, even.”
“Money is not going to keep me on this estate, Kenneth.” she sighed. “I cannot bear to remain in one place so long, especially one so, well, calm.”
“Very well.” Kenneth said, clearly crestfallen. “If that is your decision, I have no right to prevent you. But I beg of you, do not forsake the fire which you have just breathed life into. I have never felt so strongly about anything. At the very least, take up my offer of consultation so that I may have cause to see your face from time to time.”
“It was not meant to light a fire.” Leah sighed.I knew this was a bad idea.
