Austin pulled her hair back gently, exposing her neck to him. She clung to him as he dipped his head and kissed her neck until she let out a loud sigh.
When he finally tore his lips from her, it was only far enough to drag in a ragged breath. His forehead rested against hers, and they both trembled.
“That,” he rasped, voice raw, “was a real kiss.”
Deena could not speak. She could barely think. Her lips throbbed, swollen and sensitive; her body hummed with unspent need, thighs slick with arousal she prayed he couldn’t feel through her skirts. All she knew was that one taste wouldnever, could never, be enough. But reality came crashing down around her, and she pulled away from him with a loud gasp.
“This is not proper!” she hissed as she stumbled to fix her hair and gown.
“Dee—”
“You are my brother’s best friend, Austin.” She cut him off curtly.
Deena squinted into the darkness but found no one around.
What if someone witnessed my shame again? What if they talk?”
“We need to returnnow,” she continued through gritted teeth.
“Yes,” Austin replied flatly, and she imagined that realization must have dawned on him, too. “We should go back.”
They walked in charged silence, fireflies fading behind them. The jar was completely forgotten as it swung lightly between Austin’s fingers. Deena’s lips still tingled; her pulse refused to slow. Every few steps, she felt his gaze on her profile, a warm brush as tangible as a touch, but she kept her eyes forward, afraid that if she met them, she would stop walking altogether and demand another kiss. A deeper, longer kiss could ruin them both.
The lanterns grew brighter as they neared the lawn. Laughter and applause spilled from the gathered guests. The dowager stood on a low stone bench, holding aloft a triumphant jar filled almost to the brim with glowing lights.
“And the winners of our little contest,” she proclaimed, voice carrying across the grass, “are Lady Amelia and Mr. Harrowby! A moonlight picnic for two tomorrow evening. What a treat!”
Lady Amelia squealed and clapped, while Mr. Harrowby offered a gallant bow. Ribbons were tied, congratulations offered, and the crowd buzzed with good-natured envy. Deena and Austin emerged from the shadows at the edge of the group. A few heads turned, and whispers followed. The dowager’s sharp eyes found them instantly.
“Ah! There you are at last,” she called, stepping down from her perch with surprising agility. She approached them, cane tapping, gaze sweeping from Deena’s flushed cheeks to Austin’s slightly disheveled cravat and back again.
“You two look as though you’ve been wrestling bears in the dark,” she said with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
Deena felt heat flooding her face. “We were only collecting fireflies, Grandmother, when?—”
“When a wild goose began to chase your darling grandchild through the garden,” Austin cut in.
The dowager gasped. “Wild geese? In my garden? Chasingmygranddaughter? I shall have a talk with my gardener immediately!”
“Indeed, Your Grace.”
“Well, don’t just stand there in silence! Tell me, did you kill the beast then?”
Austin straightened. “I tried my best, Your Grace, but sadly I carried no weapon strong enough to beat it…so we did what we could.”
“And what was that?” she asked with a raised brow.
“We ran. And that is why we are so disheveled. I apologize. I just wanted to get Lady Deena back home safely. Like I promised.”
“Of course.” The dowager’s brows remained arched. “I owe you my gratitude, Your Grace.”
“I assure you that there is no need for that.”
The dowager faffed over her granddaughter. “But Deena darling, how was it before this unfortunate event unfolded? I don’t see many fireflies in that jar, and I am sure you two were not running from a goose the entire night.” Her pointed look made Deena squirm uncomfortably.
“We…we went off route, Grandmother. I’m sorry…I knew that the meadow had the most fireflies.”
The dowager tutted. “I taught you better than that, Deena. And what are you smirking at?”
