She blinked, then frowned. “No, of course not. I don’t even know any elfin spells.”
“Didn’t Bronwen teach you any?”
She gasped and took a step backwards. “How…”
“I overheard the two of you talking some time ago.” He managed a brief chuckle. “I had to wonder if I was imagining things when I saw only you walking alone.” He reclaimed her hands. “Now? Now I understand.” He sighed and tucked her against him once more. “And now I know what it’s like to hold you, and kiss you, and feel your heat in my arms? I’m never letting you go, no matter what human or elf might try to come between us.”
A sharp bark followed those words, as Carrádog galloped up to them, and promptly sat on his haunches, grinning at the two of them.
“Where have you been then?” Caleb glanced down. “Oh well. I hope you’ve been behaving yourself.” He shot a wicked grin at Elinor. “We certainly haven’t.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know if I’m on my head or my heels.”
“I can understand that, dear girl.” He eased them apart and once again linked her arm through his. “Let’s return to the house, shall we?” He glanced at her. “Slowly though. To give your lips time to recover.”
“Oh dear.” She licked them.
“Do that, my sweet, and they’ll be attacked again, most thoroughly, I can promise you.”
Elinor couldn’t help it. She smiled at him. “Oh, good.”
*~~*~~*
Caleb’s mind was whirling every bit as violently as his body, and it was taking a great deal of effort for him to remain calm. He was still absorbing the fact that this lovely young woman had actually spoken to otherworldly-creatures, not to mention the second fact.
Her kisses had brought him to his knees.
The minute her lips had touched his? It was as if lightning arrowed through his body, leaving a path of desire, and need, and God-knew-what in its wake.
He was no innocent, that was certain. He had done all the wild and foolish things young men do, and mostly successfully, too, which wasn’t always the case.
He’d loved, lost, and loved again. Often. And with vigour.
But never, ever, in his entire bachelor life, had a woman so affected him with a simple kiss.
She was indeed extraordinary.
And with that thought, came another. She washis. He stumbled a little as they walked back through the Molliney Park garden.
“Are you alright?” She glanced at him with a little frown.
“Yes, yes, of course, thank you. I must have caught my boot in a rabbit hole or something.”
Elinor raised an eyebrow and surveyed the smooth green lawns over which they strolled. “Why yes. That must be it, I’m sure.”
“Did anyone ever tell you that you are very skilled in the fine art of sarcasm?”
“Not recently, no.” Her lips twitched as she did her best to suppress a giggle.
“I’m surprised,” he grinned back.
After a few moments, she sighed. “Am I a nuisance, Caleb?”
He thought about that. “Honestly? Yes, you probably are. But…” he squeezed her hand as it lay on his arm, “only to someone who isn’t interested in a vibrant conversation. Or someone who cannot understand why you are conversing with him as an equal. Someone who has no notion of the very fine mind you possess.”
“Oh.”
“Let me ask you this, Elinor. Your friends. Do you have many young ladies amongst your acquaintances?”
