She’d wondered.
But now, a roaring filled her ears, lights flashed behind her eyes, and she melted her body into his. He tasted just as magical as before. She had not imagined it—the excitement, the effervescent wonder, the building need as heat coursed to her center.
None of it was familiar and yet a part of her was convinced she’d finally come home.
He turned his head and delved his mouth deeper into hers.
Jasper.
The urge to rejoice warred with an equally strong urge to weep. But she did neither, choosing instead to wind her arms around his neck and cling for all that she was worth.
Because she knew how this would turn out––the same as it had before. It would end. She would return to her world, and he to his. And she’d never feel these emotions again. Because these were once-in-a-lifetime sensations.
Willing time to stand still, she pushed all of these thoughts away and without any hesitation, kissed him back. And kissed him some more.
She felt him adjust his stance, spreading his legs wide so that their faces were level with one another. His hands drifted curiously up and down her back, eventually coming to rest upon the flare of her buttocks.
His hold tightened and she met him with equal force.
If not for a distant burst of raucous laughter, she wondered if it would have ended.
But of course, it did.
He lifted his head and glanced around. She buried her face against his chest.
After taking a moment to catch his breath, Jasper was the one to break the silence.
“It seems I lose all manner of discretion when it comes to you, yet again.” He sounded apologetic, but matter of fact.
Tilde nodded. Drawing on willpower she’d completely relinquished this evening, she gently, but firmly, pushed him away.
“It seems… ah… there is something… extraordinary…” Oh, Heavens, but she was making a ninny of herself. “Of course, it cannot be all that extraordinary...” Would he contradict her?
Silence met her statement. When she deigned to look up at him, he was scrubbing one hand down his face.
“It’s quite inexplicable, really.” She added. And then the thought struck her that he mightn’t have experienced their kiss quite the same as she had. She hesitantly took another step backward, placing more empty space between them. She bit her lip and winced.
But he was shaking his head. “Will you throw your slippers at me if I beg forgiveness once again? That must be a record, four times in less than one hour.”
Had it only been one hour since he’d appeared before Betsy and herself to request a dance? Was it possible for a person’s life to be turned upside down so quickly? Her heart yet raced and she clasped her hands together to keep them from shaking. She supposed that it was.
“Shall we return inside?” Her voice wasn’t trembling. She supposed that was a good thing. “My sister will be wondering…”
“But of course.” He started but then paused and reached out to touch her hair. “This braid is coming unpinned.” He winced. “There are quite a few actually.”
A low moan escaped Tilde’s lips before she could stop it. She could not afford to draw scandal, as low as she was. Employers did not appreciate governesses who were immersed in public disgrace.
“Hold still. Did you forget I just spent almost a full week travelling in a carriage with my twin five-year-old daughters? Without a nanny or governess?” He was winding and twisting her hair, removing pins and replacing them. Betsy would know it was different, but no one else would.
“I didn’t think of that.” She murmured, enjoying the feel of his hands in her hair despite herself.
“You mentioned you were between posts. When does your new one begin?” He moved to the back of her head and went to adjusting another braid.
“The Stanhope agency has an interview lined up for me tomorrow morning.” His fingers faltered and then went back to work.
“You’re a… governess then?”
“I am,” she answered. “The girls I’d been caring for are too old to require a governess any longer. I was sad to leave them, but it’s quite satisfying employment.”
