Page 16 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
“My lord,” she smiled, managing to muster, banishing all those thoughts to the most private corner of her mind, but she knew they would return with a vengeance.
“Uncle!” Anna smiled upon seeing him.
“Are you two ladies enjoying the garden?” he asked.
Amelia wondered why he was there. Was it to see if she had begun to do her job as a governess already? Or perhaps there was another reason for his unexpected company. She hoped with all her heart that it was the latter.
Amelia, offering a polite curtsy, replied, “Indeed, my lord. The garden is a splendid retreat, and Anna and I were just discussing the various flowers and their meanings.”
Sebastian’s gaze, briefly meeting Amelia’s, carried a subtle warmth. “A delightful topic, I’m sure. Mind if I join you on your stroll? The garden has been a sanctuary for many contemplative walks.”
“Really, Uncle?” Anna gushed. “We would love for you to join us!”
Amelia locked gazes with him, nodding. “We would.” She couldn’t stop smiling.
But it was when he extended his arm toward her, with a subtle yet gallant gesture, that Amelia was truly stunned into completeimmobility. For this was a silent invitation that carried a hint of shared intimacy within the bounds of propriety. This was not the embrace she had so clumsily fallen into when she became a damsel in distress the previous night. This was him offering his arm for no reason other than to have her close…or so she hoped.
Graciously accepting, she placed her gloved hand on his forearm. Even though she was wearing gloves and there were sleeves on his arm, she could feel his energy flowing through the confines of the clothes they were wearing, intertwining with hers. Her entire body trembled as the trio began to traverse the garden paths, the crunch of gravel beneath their feet, providing a gentle accompaniment to the murmur of their conversation.
Her knees were barely keeping her up. Her mind was blank. Her heart was beating like a horse at Ascot’s, moments away from winning the race. There was nothing apart from this moment and her desire, which betrayed her wildly, sparkling in her eyes, glowing in her smile, and oozing from her every pore.
She feared she could not hide her infatuation with this man, who had captured her mind and her every thought without even being aware of it. She wondered how such a thing was even possible, and yet, it was happening. She was feeling it right now.
They continued to venture a little further from the manor, ascending a gentle hill that offered a wonderful view of the estate. The field of flowers sprawled beneath them like a colorful quilt, and the air was tinged with the sweet fragrance of blossoms carried by a gentle breeze.
As they reached the crest of the hill, Anna’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Unable to contain her youthful enthusiasm, she dashed down the hill, her laughter echoing through the air. The field of flowers became her playground, a canvas for unrestrained joy as she twirled among the blooms.
Amelia, her eyes following Anna’s carefree dance, couldn’t help but smile at the infectious happiness radiating from the young girl.
“Such boundless energy,” Amelia remarked, her gaze shifting from Anna to the earl, who was standing close to her. It seemed that he had no intention of moving away from her, and that made their intimacy even more special.
He nodded. “Without her, this place would be a graveyard. Her laughter is like a breath of fresh air, and she seems to have taken quite a liking to you, Miss Wycliffe.”
Amelia’s cheeks colored slightly at the acknowledgment. “And I to her. She is…beyond words. How could not one not feel overjoyed to be in her company?”
They continued to watch as Anna, amid the sea of flowers, twirled and laughed, her presence a vivid burst of color against the serene backdrop of Ravenscroft Manor. There was something special about this moment, a familial closeness that Amelia never knew would be possible to feel. She had only beenhere a single day, and yet, she felt more at home here than anywhere else. The realization both thrilled her and petrified her at the same time.
She turned her gaze to the manor. “This truly is a magnificent sight, my lord. The manor seems to hold centuries of history within its walls, almost as if every nook and cranny, every crack, has a mysterious story to tell.”
Sebastian didn’t say anything at first, and she wondered if he had even heard her. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully. “Ravenscroft Manor has indeed witnessed the passage of time. Many tales had unfolded within its walls. Both sad ones and happy ones. I fear there are more of the former, though.”
Without meaning to, she squeezed his inner arm gently in reassurance. “That is why the happy stories and moments are all the sweeter.”
He smiled at that, but it was a sorrowful smile. Then, it disappeared as quickly as it appeared, and he continued. “It is said that the estate has roots dating back to the Middle Ages. Rumor has it that the Knights Templar once used these grounds as a meeting place.”
Amelia’s eyes widened with intrigue. “The Knights Templar? How fascinating! No wonder that the history of this place is filled with so much intrigue and secrets.”
“Indeed, Miss Wycliffe.” He nodded with a hint of mystery in his voice. “The manor has stood as a silent witness to knights, lords, and ladies who have called it home. Sometimes, I think that Anna is right. Maybe their souls are still bound to this place, that the echoes of the past never really leave these corridors as long as there are untold stories.”
Amelia smiled. “So, you are not the skeptic you pretend to be.”
He chuckled, raking his fingers through his ruffled hair. She had no idea that she loved it so much until she actually saw him do it. His dark curls fell over his forehead. She resisted the temptation to push a stray curl gently away from his brow, just to be even closer to him. But she feared that she would not be able to stop herself there. For that closeness would be her undoing.
“Not when I have proof,” he grinned.
“Proof?” she wondered.
“I have some old documents dating back to that time in my possession,” he revealed a bit more regarding the topic. “And there are certain symbols etched into the stones around the house, which have been attributed to the Knights Templar.”
