Page 26 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
The garden was a vibrant mosaic of colors, with flowers of every hue in full bloom. Roses, lilies, and daisies painted the landscape with their vivid petals, creating a harmonious blend of pinks, whites, and yellows. Bees hummed in rhythmic delight, drawn to the nectar-filled blossoms that adorned the carefully tended beds.
Stone benches, weathered by time, offered inviting respites amid the floral abundance. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying with it the melodic chirping of birds that had made the garden their home. The distant murmur of a flowing fountain added a soothing undertone to the symphony of nature.
As they wandered deeper into the heart of the garden, they discovered hidden alcoves adorned with climbing ivy and quaint sculptures that seemed frozen in time. The pathway led them to a secluded gazebo draped with cascading vines, offering a picturesque view of the entire estate.
“Uncle!” Amelia saw him first.
Sebastian was with Nicholas, the gardener, both of them engrossed in the task of transforming a section of the garden. Sebastian, sleeves rolled up and shirt slightly unbuttoned, showcased the sinewy strength of his arms and shoulders as he directed the labor. Sunlight played upon the taut lines of his physique, creating a captivating interplay of shadows and highlights. Amelia had never seen a more handsome man. The memory of the previous night graced her with its presence, only adding to the involuntary rise of warmth to her cheeks.
Having heard Amelia shout his name, Sebastian looked at them. His eyes locked with Amelia’s, and a subtle smirk played on his lips as he noticed her flushed reaction. Nicholas offered a friendly nod, acknowledging their presence. Attempting to compose herself, Amelia managed a polite greeting while inwardly grappling with the unexpected flutter in her heart.
Amelia and Anna approached them, curiosity and something more evident in their expressions.
“What are you working on here?” Anna asked, her gaze alternating between Sebastian’s and the project unfolding before them.
Sebastian, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, explained with a hint of enthusiasm, “We’re expanding this section of the garden. Planning to introduce new flowers and greenery. We thought it would add a touch of vibrancy to this part of the manor.”
Nicholas, with his weathered hands firmly gripping a shovel, chimed in, “Aye, lassie, it’s high time we breathed new life into this old soil. Give it a fresh start, ye know?”
“Wonderful!” Anna clapped her hands joyfully, addressing both Nicholas and her uncle. “It will look lovely, Uncle Sebastian.”
“It will.” He nodded, smiling at her and leaning against his shovel.
“You look tired,” Anna noted, sounding grave. “Why don’t you take a break and come for a walk with us?”
“How is that a break?” Sebastian chuckled. “A break means actually sitting down and doing nothing.”
Everyone laughed, enjoying the moment. But they all knew he would not refuse her.
“But you are right,” he finally acquiesced. “There is nothing more pleasant than a walk through the blossoming gardens with two ladies as lovely as yourselves. Only if you don’t mind having me this dirty.”
Upon those words, he glanced at Amelia.
Dirty…her mind repeated.Naughty.Everything he did do her the previous night. She tried to banish those thoughts, but that was an impossible feat, so she merely smiled mysteriously, with only him knowing the images that played inside her mind.
“We don’t mind, of course,” she added quickly, trying not to pay attention to the fact that she was blushing now even more than before. This seemed to amuse him beyond belief as he couldn’t stop smiling at her. In all honesty, she couldn’t stop smiling, either. She knew that it was dangerous to do this, to play this game, but at the same time, this felt right. How could something that felt this right be wrong?
With Anna guiding the impromptu trio, they ventured into the expanse of the Ravenscroft Manor’s gardens. The air carried the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and the distant sounds of nature provided a soothing backdrop to their leisurely walk. Asthey meandered through the winding paths, the sun cast a warm glow, painting the scene with a touch of golden tranquility.
Anna, with her infectious laughter, ran off to gather a handful of wildflowers, leaving Amelia and Sebastian to share a quiet moment amidst the beauty. Amelia’s heart was beating wildly at being so close to him again. She knew they were outside where anyone could see them, and that meant that they had to be cautious. But her heart refused to hear reason, beating like a winning horse at Ascot at his every word, his every glance.
Caution was thrown to the wind, and all she could think about was the man standing next to her.
***
Being alone with her after the events of the previous night only seemed to heighten his yearning for her. He wanted her with a passion that rivaled anything he had felt before, and the fact that she was so close to him, close enough to wrap her in his arms and take her right then and there, did not help soothe his raging need. The doors had been opened the previous night, and he knew that nothing but tasting her again would satiate this dangerous need.
In an effort to distract himself, he broke the silence with a question. “How did the lessons go today, Miss Wycliffe?” He was hoping that discussing mundane matters would force his mindto focus on something other than the way she moaned his name as he brought her pleasure.
Amelia, her cheeks tinged with a subtle blush, returned the smile. He loved to see her slightly embarrassed. It only added to her charm and beauty. It made her downright irresistible. He wondered if she was even aware of that. All the more so because he knew exactly what was causing that blush.
“Quite well, thank you. Anna is a very clever and curious girl. She absorbs knowledge like a sponge. I’m confident she will excel in her studies,” Amelia replied, sounding composed, but he knew that she was using all of her conscious effort to appear like this, just like he was.
The words hung in the air, carrying a quiet resonance that hinted at more unspoken thoughts. In the midst of the blooming flowers, a connection seemed to weave itself between them, a delicate thread waiting to be acknowledged. He yearned to touch her cheek, to gently caress it, to whisper a few words to her, but he couldn’t give in to this temptation. It was too risky.
A moment later, Anna came rushing back. Her small hands were adorned with an assortment of wildflowers as she announced her decision with youthful excitement. “Can we head back? I want to show Nicholas the beautiful flowers we found. He is going to love them!”
Amelia smiled at Anna’s enthusiasm, and Sebastian couldn’t help but join in.
