She had dreamed of such a kiss. But never like this.
When he finally drew back, he rested his forehead lightly against hers. “You are,” he said, just above a whisper, “more than I imagined. And infinitely more than I deserve.”
Her breath caught. “Don’t say that.”
He smiled faintly, brushing a thumb along her cheek. “Then allow me to amend it—you are extraordinary, and I am the very fortunate man who may kiss you again.”
Her lips curved. “That was nearly poetic, Theo.”
“You inspire better words in me than I knew I possessed.”
He kissed her again, softer this time. She smiled into it, her heart fluttering like a schoolgirl’s.
I did not expect to feel like this.
“You ought to know,” he said when they parted, “you’ve just ruined me for any other moment in the day.”
“Good,” she said. “I was aiming for devastation.”
They exchanged another lingering kiss, laughter brushing between them, and April leaned against him, content to be held. His arms closed around her as the wagon swayed gently toward shore.
By the time the wheels crunched back over sand, he had drawn her into his lap, and she felt nothing but safe. The sea, vast and terrible, no longer loomed so large.
When they stepped down from the wagon, she clutched his arm. “I did it,” she said, almost in wonder. “I entered the water.”
He looked down at her, pride in every line of his face. “You were magnificent.”
“I want to try the pond next.”
“Ambitious. Reckless. Perfect.” He laughed, and April had never seen a more handsome man in her life.
“I’m serious, Theo.”
“I know you are.” He smiled. “And I cannot wait to see it.”
As they changed with their backs turned. April’s fingers trembled slightly at the laces of her stays. Her thoughts were loud now. That kiss—it changed something. Didn’t it? Surely, he felt it too.
She turned just as he adjusted his coat. “Come.” Theo took her hand, and they alighted from the wagon.
“We should visit Brighton often,” she said, reveling in the feel of her hand in his.
“We should travel all over England,” Theo replied. “The lakes, the moors, the peaks—and when that no longer satisfies, the continent. Even the Colonies if you wish.”
April grinned. Not at the promise of travel but at the way he looked at her—as though she was already beside him in every place he mentioned. His eyes drifted to her mouth, the memory of their kiss crackling back to life.
Will we speak of it?she wondered.Will we say what it meant?But before either of them could speak, laughter exploded outside.
“There you are!” May’s voice rang out as she darted into the wagon, bonnet askew. “You will not believe how June reacted?—”
“I did not shriek!” June followed, cheeks flushed. “It was an exclamation.”
“It was a horrid noise,” May said. “You startled a gull.”
April blinked, and Theo calmly adjusted his cravat, looking faintly amused.
“Well, how was the water?” May turned to April. “Was it not exhilarating?”
April glanced at Theo. He gave a slight shake of his head.“I found it… unforgettable,” she replied, a smile blooming. “Truly unforgettable.”
