Except, his kiss had certainly contained passion that left her heated and…anxious, she supposed was an accurate description.
Well, at least she confessed what she wanted, and he had not declined, so that was out of the way. Now to find out what else he wished to know and what secrets he wanted to share with her.
She had not wanted to appear outside and walk along the beach too early because she did not want him to know how anxious she truly was. In truth, she had hoped that Demetrius would have called on her, but as it grew into the afternoon and he didn’t, she decide that she would be the one to step outside.
However, she did not walk to the beach, but simply to the edge of the terrace and stared out at the sea letting the cool breeze wash over her as she closed her eyes and listened to the waves. They were soothing, a comfort that she had not realized that she needed.
However, all too soon, that sound was interrupted by the barks of a sheepdog and Lavinia tried not to smile. Where Max led, Demetrius soon followed.
As the dog ran toward her, Lavinia gave him a stern glare and held out her arm, palm flat toward him. Max slowed and when he was close, sat at her feet and looked up, his tail wagging. Only then did she reach forward and pet him.
“Max cannot stay away,” Demetrius laughed as he drew near.
Unlike his owner, which she did not voice. “Good afternoon, Demetrius.”
“Good afternoon, Lavinia. How are you today?”
“I am well. And you?” She truly hoped that they were not now suddenly reduced to polite conversation.
“I am well also.” He then grinned. “Now that we have gotten the niceties out of the way, would you like to stroll with me along the beach?”
Lavinia returned his smile. “I would like that very much.”
He stepped back so that she could precede him down the steps and by the time they reached the beach, Demetrius had grown serious.
Had he changed his mind or reconsidered the very idea of being her lover?
Did she dare ask?
“There are things about me that I must tell you. After you learn, I will understand if you wish to return our relationship to what it was before with me as your brother’s solicitor and you his sister who questions my advice.” He shook his head. “I would also understand if you suggest to His Grace that he employ a different solicitor.”
Lavinia frowned. She could not imagine there could be anything that Demetrius could have done to make her reject him.
Except, last night he did claim to have secrets; she just hoped that he didn’t turn out to be a murderer or thief. Though, wouldn’t her investigator have discovered a nefarious past?
“I will also understand if you feel it necessary to inform His Grace so that he can make that determination for himself, but I do ask that neither of you ever tell anyone else.”
“Why?”
“Because it involves my family and I will not see them harmed by the truth.”
“Vicar Grant and his wife are not my aunt and uncle. They are not related by blood to me or my siblings.”
That was the easy part. It was the rest that Lavinia might find objectionable.
“My parents were not missionaries. None of us were in India. We came straight from Seven Dials where Vicar Grant found us living in squalor.”
“What of your parents?” she asked.
“My mother… she was the daughter of the Marquess of Wingate. She fell for the lies of a stable hand, Timothy Jones, who claimed to love her. Her father, of course, did not approve of the courtship, so they eloped. Jones assumed that once they wed that Wingate would welcome him as a son-in-law and his life would greatly improve.”
“He did not?” Lavinia even winced as she asked the question.
“No. He turned my mother out and cut off all assistance. The two traveled to London where Jones found a position in the mews. I was born, then Benedick, Orlando, Mercutio and the man who fathered me died shortly before Petrucio was born.”
“I am sorry.”
Demetrius could barely remember the man even though he had been four at the time.
