“I’m pleased you suggested it.” She could hardly believe that she, a confirmed wallflower, stood on a darkened patio with a dashing man.
“I thought it safer to have a moment alone with you before anyone knew of my arrival.” He took her gloved hand in his and guided her deeper into the shadows alongside a hedge thenquirked a brow, the movement barely visible in the dim light. “Did my sister pay you a visit?”
“She did. She mentioned she called on you as well.” Millie waited to see what he’d tell her, wondering what Eliza had said and how he felt about the situation.
He sighed. “We will have to take care not to further rouse her suspicions.”
Disappointment filled her that he wasn’t willing to admit to their liaison. Then again, neither was she. “Yes, I suppose.”
Unfortunately, being more careful surely meant seeing each other less. The thought made her heart ache. Was what they had ending so soon?
“You look beautiful this evening, Millicent,” he said, then reached to cup her cheek, the warmth of his hand causing her to lean into his touch.
“Thank you.” Heat spread through her at the interest gleaming in his eyes. “You look rather handsome as well.”
“This old thing?” He glanced down at his formal evening attire with a crooked grin. “Is your mother with you this evening?”
“Yes.” Guilt niggled at her, but she shoved it aside.
“And are you chaperoning again?”
“I believe so.” Her heart pinched at the admission. “One of the expectations of coming from a large family.”
“I suppose.” He frowned, suggesting he didn’t like it. “That doesn’t mean you can’t dance though, right?”
“As long as I still keep an eye on Catherine. Luckily, she isn’t expected until a bit later.”
“Oh, good. Then I have you all to myself for a few minutes.”
How she wished it could be longer.
“We won’t have much time,” he continued, “and I haven’t been able to think of anything other than the feel of your lips against mine.”
Desire swirled within her at the sincerity of his tone. She placed a tentative hand on his chest, smoothing his lapel. “I confess that I have been thinking much the same.”
“Is it too soon for a kiss?” he asked.
“Not at all.” The words came out in a breathless rush.
Luckily, he didn’t seem to mind, for he bent to take her lips with his, gently at first, then more masterfully. Passion rose as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, loving the feel of him pressing against her.
This was something special, regardless of whether he admitted it. She might be inexperienced, but feelings like this didn’t come along every day. She hoped he realized that, too. He deepened the kiss, his tongue demanding entrance. Her body heated from the intimate invasion, and she wanted nothing more than to continue.
While it should bother her that he was determined to hide their interest in one another from Eliza, she would worry about that later. For now, she focused on the magical feel of his arms around her and his mouth moving against hers.
The moment was more than she’d dared to dream of, and she reveled in it. Who knew if she would ever experience this feeling again? She had yet to determine if what Winston felt for her was anything more than a passing fancy. Come tomorrow he might put aside this attraction between them.
Given how difficult it was to find a few minutes alone together, she would enjoy every second as much as possible. To think that she, Millicent, a wallflower, bordering on spinster, was standing on a dark patio, kissing a man she deeply cared for was remarkable.
“Millie? Are you out here?”
The familiar voice of her cousin, Prudence, had Millie breaking the kiss.
“I thought I saw her step outside,” came another voice.
Dear heaven! Her mother was with Prue.
Panic took hold and Millie squeezed her eyes shut, heart thundering at the fear of being caught. As much as she wanted a life with Winston, she didn’t want it forced upon him. If he didn’t choose her, then she didn’t want him.