Page 53 of Rescuing a Tantalising Heiress
She had read of such things, but to know them for herself, to experience them in the intimacy of another’s company… was quite different. One could read a hundred books about falling in love, but never actually know what it meant to do so. Edward gazed down at her and smiled.
“There’s always a first moment, isn’t there? The first glance, the first dance, the first embrace, the first kiss, the first…” he said, his words trailing off as their lips met again
Now, their kiss was more intense, more passionate, each of them caught up in the pleasure of the moment they now shared. Edward’s hands were firm against her back, her own hands clasped tightly around his shoulders, their lips pressed together, the scent of his cologne heady and intoxicating.
But at that moment, the door of the library opened, and the maid, Hetty, entered, carrying a coal scuttle. She looked at the scene in astonishment as Edward hastily pulled away.
“Oh, my lord. I’m sorry!” Hetty exclaimed.
“This was what I feared,” Edward whispered, but Isabella was unperturbed.
“It’s quite all right, Hetty—we should’ve chosen somewhere more private for our liaison. Just as you and Joe do in the shrubbery,” she said, and the maid smiled.
“Yes, my lady. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me, as mine is with you,” she said, and nodding to them both, she left the library with a wide grin on her face.
Edward looked astonished, but Isabella waved her hand dismissively and laughed.
“She’s been seeing a man from one of the farms—or is he from the village? I don’t know. But he waits in the shrubbery for her. They’re very much in love. I caught them by accident one day. She won’t say anything,” she said, and Edward shook his head in disbelief.
“Quite extraordinary,” he replied, but he made no further mention of the matter, and the two of them now spent the rest of the afternoon composing Edward’s letter to the Duke of Clarence.
Isabella was pleased she had convinced the viscount of the necessity of allowing Augusta to find her own happiness, and with the prospect of her own courtship soon to be made public, it seemed Isabella’s happiness, too, was assured.
Chapter 22
“He’s done nothing but bark all night. I hope he hasn’t disturbed Augusta,” Isabella said as Caesar stood with his tail wagging and his paws pressed against the windowpane.
“He wants to go out, my lady. You’ll have to take him. He won’t walk with me,” Anne replied.
She was helping Isabella dress before breakfast, and it seemed Caesar would not be happy until he was taken for his walk.
“I’ll take him after breakfast. I’ll ask Augusta if she wants to come along, too,” Isabella replied.
She was used to walking in the gardens now. Edward was no longer so overprotective. She had been at Howdwell Heights for more than two weeks, and there had not been so much as a whisper of any threat against her. It seemed the matter of the kidnapping was over, and whoever had been responsible was no longer intent on causing her harm. Isabella wanted only to forget the matter, and for her courtship with Edward to be made public.
“Just walk him long enough to tire him out, my lady. Then he can sleep on the rug in front of the hearth for the rest of the day and give us all some peace,” Anne replied, tutting as Isabella called for Caesar to follow her downstairs to breakfast.
In the hallway, she encountered Hetty, red-faced and flushed, letting herself in through the side door. The maid looked embarrassed, and Isabella smiled.
“I hope he’s right for you, Hetty,” she said, and Hetty nodded.
“Oh, yes, my lady. We’re so in love. He looks at me like his lordship looks at you. There’s something in his eyes—it’s the same look,” she replied, and Isabella felt pleased to know Edward’s feelings for her were so recognizable.
She was surprised to find Augusta already at the breakfast table, and the viscount’s sister looked up at her and smiled, a half-finished plate of sausages and eggs in front of her.
“I’m going to see Hugh this morning. That’s why I’m up so early,” she said by way of an explanation.
Isabella was pleased, but at that moment, Edward himself entered the dining room. He looked perturbed, and before greeting them, he addressed Augusta angrily.
“You can’t keep meeting him like this. It isn’t right,” he said, even as Augusta protested.
“And why not? He’s a perfect gentleman. I won’t be told who I can and can’t meet, Edward,” she retorted, and Isabella said the same.
They had been through this, even as it was clear Edward had a habit of changing his mind on matters of the heart.
“There’s no harm in any of it, Edward. Be reasonable,” Isabella said, but Edward was not being reasonable.
“No, I’ve made up my mind. You can’t go on meeting like this—not until I’ve spoken to him. I don’t doubt he’s a good man with honourable intentions, but I’m your brother, and I need to know the man who is courting you isn’t going to break your heart,” he replied.
