The sound almost undid him in the middle of Kensington Gardens. He answered with a low, approving rumble deep in his chest, the vibration humming against her lips. And then he feasted on her. His mouth moved with purpose, devouring hers in a slow, agonizing, wet kiss.
One hand slid down her body to dig into her hips, bring her even closer, eliminate all space between them. Her arms tightened around him, she too trapping him close. He tasted her again and again, the lemonade she had on his tongue and that other essence, completely hers, uniquely.
He reluctantly pulled back. His lips brushed hers once, twice, and one last time, lingering once more to her. The silence that followed was filled with their ragged breaths and the way they looked at each other, as if they had weathered a storm and would gladly do it again.
“That, Miss P.J.,” he said as he smoothed the hair he had disheveled, “was a thank-you kiss.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Prim said with a shy blush as he arranged her skirt to look more presentable.
“See that you do,” he teased. “I might start to behave more.”
CHAPTER 11
Garden Party
The Season was still in full swing, no matter how Prim tried to grasp onto reality and time. She really needed to take time and put things in order after all that happened to her, but it seemed reality was determined to be relentless as usual, and every day dawned at precisely the time it was supposed to.
“You will wear it, Prim,” her mother brought her to the cruel present.
Prim had to deal with that crisis that day. Her family got an invitation to a prestigious garden party, since it seemed that Abigail’s pressure had the desired results so slowly the Jenkins family was getting more frequent invitations.
“I think it is bad taste,” Prim insisted.
Before her, on her vanity, it was the blue velvet box and in it the sapphire necklace that the Duke of Greyhaven had gifted her with.
“First of all, it goes perfectly with your ivory dress, so it is impeccable taste. Then, if you are worried about how the Duke of Mildenhall will react, that is exactly the purpose.”
Prim frowned at her mother. Both she and her father have been seething, and they have been plotting. Their scheme was that Prim would marry Leo and then one of the girls would become the Duchess of Greyhaven.
Prim didn’t have the energy to explain that the Duke would never marry any of the twins. He was looking for a competent wife and a mother for his daughter. Her sisters, bless their precious souls, were good girls, but they could barely take care of themselves.
“Mother,” Prim tried.
“You will wear the necklace, Prim. No more arguing. Let’s see how the Dukes react.”
Prim gave up, and so she entered the garden party with the sapphires glowing under the sun. All eyes were on her, the new gossip travelling far and wide. Two Dukes were in her drawing room not so long ago. Then she was seen promenading with one,and now she appeared with a precious jewel around her neck, a present from the other.
She decided to focus on the party. And it was a smart move. In the past days, the weather had conspired to make this Season memorable. Well, for Prim, it was already unforgettable, but she appreciated the backdrop. The garden was a marvel to look at. Bushes of colorful flowers were scattered all over the perfect lawn, butterflies flying all over. The trees were tall in the Minton Estate, offering their cool shadow. It seemed as if hundreds of birds sang through the branches. Beneath the shade of ancient oaks, crisp linen tables groaned with silver trays of food and desserts. Colorful blankets with pillows were scattered all over the lawn, already occupied by companies and couples.
“Girls, you will stay with me,” Prim warned her sisters.
“Don’t we always?” Camilla said as she looked upon the gentlemen and ladies gathering. “I must say, garden parties are boring. No dancing, just mingling, eating, and nothing much else.”
“I disagree,” Myrtle said in her soft voice. “It is so quiet, enough sun if you want to read, and no one is stepping on your toes.”
Prim laughed, and her sisters joined her.
“Little doves,” Prim went serious. “How are you? I’ve been so busy with my own problems these weeks that I forgot that all this must be harsh on you, too.”
The sisters gathered close to her, twining their hands with hers like they had been doing since they were little.
“Prim,” Camilla said. “Take care of yourself. All else will fall into place.”
“When did you get so wise?” Prim teased.
They were all hugging in a rare moment of reprieve from all that threatened their happiness when a voice cut through the air.
“Miss Primrose.”
