“Excuse me, Lady Lucinda, but your grandmother awaits.”
Lady Lucinda and Caleb jumped apart as if scalded by the other.
Just beyond on the path stood Warren, completely unaffected by what he’d witnessed.
Lady Lucinda’s face had also gone from rose to crimson and Caleb suspected his wasn’t much different given the heat in his cheeks.
“Yes, of course,” she stammered. “I will attend her immediately.” She then rushed off, leaving Caleb standing alone.
“Your aunts, Mr. Copeland,” Warren reminded.
He’d completely forgotten that he’d been summoned as well. “Yes.” He started for the manor, then stopped and turned. “About what you may have witnessed…” How did he ask the butler to remain silent? He worked for Lady Lucinda’s father.
“Witnessed, Mr. Copeland?” He blinked and frowned.
He must have seen them kissing, hadn’t he, but Caleb didn’t wish to ask.
“You should hurry, Mr. Copeland. You’ve dallied long enough.”
Damn and blast. It wasn’t right that he ask the butler to hold his tongue, and he could only hope that nobody learned and he wasn’t brought to task for taking liberties that he had no right to take.
Ten
Lucinda hurried down the path,trying to catch her breath, her head reeling from what had just occurred. She had simply wanted a kiss, to determine Mr. Copeland’s reaction, hoping that he might wish to kiss her as well. What she’d not been prepared for was the heating of her body, the tightening of her breasts, dizziness and weakening of her knees. Goodness, until that moment, she’d been convinced that kissing was one of the most unpleasant activities a couple participated in. Mr. Copeland had proven that theory completely wrong.
Goodness, if Warren hadn’t come upon them, how long would they have stood there, kissing?
Lucinda’s eyes widened. Warren! What if he told her father? Would Mr. Copeland be asked to leave as well? She’d need to make certain that didn’t happen given Lord E had forced his kiss on Lucinda, whereas she’d welcomed Mr. Copeland’s, and she’d welcome it again and again.
“Where have you been?” her grandmother demanded when she entered the parlor.
“Out walking. Enjoying the fine day.”
“You’ll get plenty of exercise on your visit to the ruins,” her grandmother reminded her.
Lucinda frowned. “We aren’t riding?”
“We do not have the servants to saddle and care for the horses, and I doubt the lords would be of much assistance in brushing them upon your return. Therefore, you shall walk.”
Lucinda nodded. She’d made the walk many times and it wasn’t a bother, though she wondered how her leaping lords would feel about venturing so far on foot and couldn’t help but smile in anticipation of their complaints. It was a shame Mr. Copeland refused to join them for she was certain he’d not mind and might enjoy the outing.
“What I’d like to know is why you keep disappearing when you know we have guests.”
“You’ve declared when I must be present, and I have participated in the individual conversations, meals and afternoon group activities. Those are trying enough that I don’t wish to endure the attention of your guests more than required.
“Ah, Mr. Copeland. So good of you to join us.” Her grandmother nodded to behind Lucinda who turned to note Mr. Copeland standing just within the entrance.
“I was sent for, by my great-aunts.” He took in the room. “However, I can wait in the corridor until you’ve finished meeting with Lady Lucinda.”
“This involves you as well.”
Lucinda’s stomach tightened. It wasn’t possible that Warren had reported her already. Had someone else seen them and rushed in to report to her grandmother?
“I demand to know why you’ve not participated in the activities provided our other guests.”
“I am not a guest in the same sense as those who were invited for the purpose of courting Lady Lucinda.”
“I’ve tried to explain that I’d welcome his presence,” Lucinda insisted. “He doesn’t wish to join us.”
