“No.”
“Would you like to fly mine for a bit?”
“I’d not deny you the pleasure you’re obviously enjoying from your own efforts.”
“My pleasure would only increase if you were enjoying yourself.”
Although his hat shaded his face, something dark, like yearning, flashed across his eyes before he averted his gaze. “Your brother was wise to set aside land for a park. It’ll increase the value of his residences, make them more appealing to his tenants.”
“He let me help plant the saplings. I look at the children playing today and imagine them years from now with their own children rollicking about in the shade the trees will provide.”
His gaze came back to her. “You like giving to people, even if you’re not there to see them receiving your gifts.”
The sun had either come closer or she was embarrassed by his words because her cheeks felt as though they were suddenly aflame. “It’s a fault of mine I suppose.”
“I’ve yet to find any fault with you, Miss Trewlove.” His attention swung up to the sky, to the kites floating toward the heavens, and she was relatively certainhewas now embarrassed as his cheeks sported a reddish hue.
“That’s not quite true.” She knew he found fault with her hunt for a lord.
He glanced down at her. “No, it’s not.”
“I prefer honesty between us, Mr. Sommersby.”
“Then I find no fault with your company. How’s that?”
It made it her feel as though her entire body was smiling. “I’ll accept it as a compliment.”
With a nod, he turned his attention back to the sky.
“What is your favorite memory of flying a kite?” she asked.
“I’ve never flown one.”
“Never?”
“My parents didn’t allow for such frivolities.”
“It’s not frivolous if it brings joy, helps one relax. You must give it a go.”
“I will either lose hold of it and it will go flying too close to the sun and burn or I shall send it plummeting to the earth where it will crash into a thousand pieces. In either case, it will be of no future use to you.”
“Nonsense. But if it should happen, I can always build another. The wind will fight you and try to steal the kite, but you are lord and master here. I’ll guide you.” Without thought, she stepped in front of him. “Place your hands over mine where they rest on the spindles.”
“Miss Trewlove, I’m not certain this is wise.”
“It’s only a kite, Mr. Sommersby. Come along, don’t be shy.” It seemed an eternity passed before his arms circled her and his hands came to rest on hers as they clutched the wooden spindles of the reel that Beast had carved for her so it was easier to control the length of string that kept the kite tethered to her—in much the same manner that Mr. Sommersby was now tethered to her. She’d not considered how his strong, muscled arms would bracket each side of her, how his chest would press lightly against her back. She felt like a caterpillar in a cocoon going through a transformation, although she wasn’t quite certain what would emerge at the end of it. Never before had she been so aware of a man. In spite of the fact that he was layered in clothing—shirt, waistcoat, coat—the heat from his skin still managed to mingle with hers. So much heat that she felt as though she were candlewax and melting. Her knees threatened to give way at any moment. She was at once grateful they both wore gloves and tempted to jerk them off so the silkiness of her hands could brush against the roughness of his palms.
Her mind was devoid of thought, as the acute awareness of his nearness overwhelmed her in a most pleasant manner. “Are you enjoying Dick Turpin’s adventures?” she heard herself ask.
“Very much so.”
He’d dipped his head, his mouth near her ear, his low voice causing distant areas of her body to react as though he’d pressed his lips there, his warm breath skimming over her ear, across her cheek, sending pleasure spiraling through her. She had to get a hold of herself, was giving a lesson here. “I’m going to slowly slide my hands out from under yours—”
“I rather wish you wouldn’t.”
How very much she wished the same but being held in his arms like this was so terribly inappropriate. “I thought you might like to grip the spindles, so you can have a keener experience.”
She felt his hands close more securely around hers. “I’m perfectly content with the experience.”
