Chapter13
Afew days later, Kathryn pointedto an illustration in the landscaping book. “What do you think about this design?” she asked.
Mr. Clifford scratched his chin. “It’s a beautiful design and I do love the colors, but I’m afraid this garden isn’t large enough to implement that design.”
“Oh. I see. How silly of me,” she said, her eyes downcast. She’d been hoping to impress him, but now she felt like a fool and wanted to shrink into herself.
Mr. Clifford looked around to make sure they were alone before he traced his finger along her jaw and lifted her chin. “My dear Lady Kathryn, you aren’t foolish at all, and if I could accommodate the design within the space we have, it would have been my pleasure. Perhaps a combination of some of the other designs would work better.”
He was so close, and she inhaled his scent—something between bergamot and orange. She could feel his warm breath on her face as he gazed into her eyes. The way he looked at her made her feel beautiful—something she’d never felt before. She closed her eyes and did something so out of the ordinary for her that she was surprised she had the courage to follow through.
She pressed her lips against his and kissed him. She felt him stiffen at first… until his lips became soft and pliant as he pulled her into his embrace.
The man certainly knew how to kiss, and Kathryn felt as though she were floating on the wind. She’d never felt so cherished in all her life, and a moan escaped her lips.
Mr. Clifford wasted no time in deepening the kiss, pulling her closer. She couldn’t get enough of him.
When he finally stepped back, she felt a momentary loss. She opened her eyes to see him smiling at her.
“You are exquisite, Lady Kathryn,” he said as he caressed her cheek.
She hardly knew what to say. Could she trust that his admiration was genuine? No man had ever looked at her the way Mr. Clifford did, and she wanted more of that every day. She felt off balance and looked around the garden for a moment before answering.
“Mr. Clifford, you’re very kind, but I’m sure that’s not true.”
“Do not doubt my word, my lady. I never lie, and I know true beauty when I see it.”
She had no answer for that, and a small flame of hope ignited in her chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I only need to know if you enjoyed our kiss. That will be enough for me.”
Kathryn reached for his hand and squeezed it. “It was the most earth-shattering thing that’s ever happened to me, and I thank you for giving me such a momentous first kiss.”
“Then I’m happy, although I do hope that it will be the first of many,” he said with a smile that lit up his handsome face.
Kathryn felt the heat rise up her neck. “You want to kiss me again?”
Mr. Clifford nodded. “If you’ll allow it.”
Now it was Kathryn’s turn to smile, as she once more checked to see if they were alone before she stepped into his embrace again. “I do believe that is something I’d allow every moment of every day.”
Mr. Clifford kissed her long and deep before stepping away and tipping his hat. “Until later, Lady Kathryn.”
“Mr. Clifford?”
“Yes.”
“Would you call me Kathryn when we’re alone?”
“I’d be delighted, Kathryn, and I’m Sam.”
“I’ll see you later, Sam,” she said.
He gave her another devastating smile before walking away.
Kathryn sank down on the bench, reliving every delicious moment of Sam’s kisses. Could it be that she’d finally found a man who would love her unconditionally, not for the prestige of being with an earl’s daughter, not for her dowry, but just for her and her alone? She was still worried about how her family would react to her growing attachment to him. They would see a commoner, not the man she was falling in love with.
She could hardly wait to share this latest development with Grace. Now she understood her friend’s excitement when Mr. Wallings had kissed her for the first time.