“I was wondering if perhaps I might see the garden?” Lady Kathryn asked.
“Of course, Lady Kathryn. Let me—”
“No need for you to escort me, Mr. Wallings. Finish your tea,” she said as she stood and walked out.
“Miss Parker, may I say how delighted I am to have run into you today?” Peter said when Kathryn had left.
“I am as well, Mr. Wallings. I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon.”
“Will I see you at Sunday services?”
“Yes, my family is planning to attend.”
“That’s good.”
“Mr. Wallings?”
“Yes?”
“May I ask you a question?”
“Of course. I’m at your service.”
“Well, then. As part of your service, do you think you’d like to kiss me again?” she asked with a cheeky grin.
Peter chuckled. “My dear Miss Parker, I do believe that’s one service I’d like to do over and over again,” he said, standing and pulling her into his embrace.
She felt his desireand passion pour into their shared kiss. Her head was spinning, and she couldn’t get enough of him. She felt a fierce, unexpected arousal between her legs that nearly seared her bones where she stood. And then he did something most unexpected.
He ran his tongue over the seam of her lips, and she sighed, relishing the delicious sensation. His tongue swept inside her mouth, tasting every inch. When he pulled her closer, her curvesfit snugly against his chest, and they began a sensational dance of tongues.
They were a perfect fit, and she couldn’t seem to get close enough to him.
Their kisses seemed to go on and on, and she never wanted to stop, but finally he stepped back. She touched her lips, which were swollen from his kisses.
“You’re so beautiful, Miss Parker.”
“Thank you. Would you call me Grace? Seems silly to be so formal now that we’ve kissed so passionately.”
“I would be happy to, Grace, and I’m Peter.”
“Peter. I like the sound of that.”
Before either of them could say anything more, Kathryn walked back inside. “Your garden is quite beautiful, Mr. Wallings.”
Grace took a step back, although she knew Kathryn would never say anything about their closeness when she returned inside.
“Thank you, Lady Kathryn, but the credit goes to Mr. Randolph. He was the one who tended the garden before I came here. Would you care for more tea?”
Kathryn shook her head. “Thank you, no. I think we must be heading home before Lady Fletcher wonders where we are.”
“Of course. I’m ever so pleased to have run into you lovely ladies today.”
“We are too,” Grace said.
“Come. I’ll drive you home,” Peter said.
It was a short drive to Dandridge Manor from the vicarage. After pulling up at the front door, Mr. Wallings jumped down and handed down Lady Kathryn. Grace stood, and instead of offering her his hand, his hands encircled her waist, and he lifted her from the bench as if she were light as a feather.