“We should return inside,” he murmured.
She did not want to go back into the house. She wanted to remain here and continue what they were doing.
Julian knewthat if he did not stop, he would complete his seduction and make Cait his. The fact that they were outside and that anyone could come upon them was the reason he stopped. That and because he did not want his first time with her to be on the floor of the gazebo.
But he wanted her like he had never wanted another. He ached for her.
He had been plagued with desire for her this past fortnight, especially when he knew only one chamber separated hers from his and how easy it would be to go to her after everyone slumbered. So many times he had stood at his chamber door but did not let himself give in to temptation.
After a moment he lifted his head. “I do care for you Cait. Deeply, which is why I will not seduce you.”
He leaned forward and kissed her gently, his heart swelling with love.
Yes, he was in love, but Julian was not yet ready to make such a declaration. Those words had never passed his lips before, and he wanted to wait until the right moment, which was not now. He would utter them when he returned from his visit home. That is when Julian intended to declare himself and ask for her hand in marriage. This fortnight, even though short, was proof enough that he wanted her as his wife. Only Cait.
“I also care for you, or I would not have allowed such liberties.”
He wanted to chuckle, for Julian was quite certain there was very little allowing, but more likely she was swept away on a sea of sensations such as he had been. He knew where it could lead, and it was not right for him to take what was not yet his. When he finally joined with Cait, and he knew it was inevitable, it would be after he had recited vows making them man and wife, and then he’d not let her leave his bed for a week and hoped that she would not want to.
“Dr. Conrad told me today that he saw no reason why I cannot return home.”
“I see.” Cait slid from his lap and took a seat beside him.
It was what he feared. She put distance between them. So long as it was temporary, he would not mind.
“You need to return to your father.”
“I have that duty. I need to see him and officially assume the role my brother once had, but once I am assured of my father’s continued health, I will return.”
Cait’s eyes widened and her delicious lips parted. Had she been surprised by his pronouncement? Certainly, she understood that a gentleman does not kiss and caress a respectable lady and then leave her.
Except, his brother had and now he was dead because of it.
“I will be back.” He picked up her hand and kissed the back. “Will you wait for me?”
“Where would I go?” she chuckled. “I teach at the school, remember?”
“Do not let any gentleman come along and sweep you off your feet until I have had a chance to declare myself.” It was the closest he intended to come to a marriage proposal before he returned.
Her smile was gentle even though there was humor in her eyes. “I promise to turn every suitor away. Of course, it will be difficult since there are so many gentlemen arriving on our doorstep every day.”
Julian chuckled. Few called at the school, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a chance that an older brother of a student might not come along and become just as smitten with Cait as he was. “Lady Sophia’s brothers visit. They are bachelors and I assume there are other students with older brothers as well.”
Cait placed a hand against his cheek. “I promise to reject every single declaration of devotion.” She then placed her lips against his.
“I promise not to be long,” Julian insisted.
He then stood and held out his hand to her. “But we should return inside before someone comes looking for us, or before I start kissing you again.”
“I would not mind more kissing,” Cait admitted as they walked from the gazebo.
“Nor would I, but I will be patient and save them for my return.”
With his mood light, and future nearly set, Julian returned to the house with Cait, but grew concerned the moment they stepped into the parlor. There was a tension, heavy and charged, hanging in the air while each of his friends and their wives stared at him, moods somber.
“What has happened?”
Kilsyth lifted a newssheet. “The Earl of Shorewood is pleased to announce the betrothal of his son, Julian Ashford, Viscount Rivers to Miss Imogene Hooper.”
