“When you played last night,” he began, his quiet voice sending shivers along her skin, “I confess that I was nearly overcome. You have a wonderful voice and are very talented.”
A mix of hope and relief tightened her throat. She hadn’t imagined the look he’d given her. “Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.”
“No.” He shook his head, his brow furrowing. “It’s the truth.” He reached for her hand slowly as if to give her time to pull away. “It’s as if you reached out and touched my heart.” As he spoke, he pressed her gloved hand to his chest. His firm, manly chest.
A deep ache of longing swept through her until she could hardly think. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
With his gaze holding hers, he placed his hand over hers, holding it gently in place. “There’s so much more than ‘nice’ to what I feel for you, Harriet.”
She swallowed, unable to believe this was happening. “I must admit that I’m experiencing much the same.”
He drew closer until their bodies brushed against one another. Despite the numerous layers of clothing between them, Harriet felt every inch of where they touched, her body humming with awareness.
“I should very much like to kiss you, Harriet.”
The deep timbre of his quiet voice, not to mention his words, had her placing her other hand on his chest. Anything to anchor her reeling emotions. “I...would like that, too.”
In all her wildest dreams, never had she thought to make a bold move like this. She didn’t know where her courage had come from, but she was grateful for it.
At her response, his eyes darkened, the green becoming more visible, even more like the moss at their feet. He bent his head, his breath fanning over her lips until anticipation nearly overwhelmed her.
Then he kissed her. Wonder seeped into her much like the warmth of a hot cup of tea on a chilly day. How could it be that his mouth on hers could make her feel so much?
He was gentle as he cradled her cheek with his hand. Then he drew back to look into her eyes. She could only think the moment hadn’t been long enough. She needed more to truly—
Before she finished the thought, he took her mouth with his again, masterfully this time, as if he couldn’t get enough.
Her knees weakened with the onslaught, and she reached up to wrap her arm around his neck and held on tight.
His tongue pressed against the seam of her lips, and she parted them, not certain what he intended.
Oh, she thought as his tongue gained entrance. The invasion added an entirely new layer of sensation to the kiss.
How had she never realized how much a kiss could make one feel? Descriptions in books hadn’t given it justice.
Joseph eased back, the pad of his thumb shifting back and forth along her cheek. “Harriet, you are so special. Beautiful and sweet.”
She focused on trying to catch her breath, uncertain how to respond. How could she tell him what she felt when she had yet to understand herself? “I’m pleased you decided to walk along this path this morning,” she said, her voice sounding rather rough and unlike her.
That had to be because this moment had changed her forever.
He chuckled. “As am I.” He glanced around. “I suppose we should return to the house before we are missed.”
The image of Frances came to her mind, threatening to pop the bubble of happiness inside her. “Yes, I suppose.”
Yet rather than start walking, he remained where he was, his focus solely on her. “Dare I hope we have the chance to share another kiss soon?”
She should say no. There were Frances’ feelings to consider, first of all. Then there was her past to think about. She removed her hand from his shoulder and ran a gloved finger along her scarred chest, a physical reminder of why marriage was so unlikely as to be impossible.
He would turn away in disgust if he ever saw her scars, let alone if she shared what had happened.
She should definitely say no.
“Yes.” She waited a moment half-fearful lightning would strike her.
But it didn’t.
Instead, she was rewarded by Joseph’s grin, his firm lips curving upward, his chiseled jaw begging for her touch. That would have to wait until next time.