She laughed, a beautiful warm sound.
“What is your favorite season?” he continued.
“Spring. It brings such promise for the year, as well as flowers.”
“A good answer,” he said.
“And you, my lord?”
“I believe I like summer best when that spring promise has been fulfilled with sunshine and warmer weather,” he said. “Is there a food you most favor?”
“I like this game,” she said. “No gentleman has ever asked my opinion on even the most mundane things.”
“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever asked another female about her likes, so I cannot speak too ill of my fellow sex in that regard. Only when a man is truly taken with a woman does he care to know more.”
He felt her shiver. “Are you cold?”
“No, not in the least. In answer to your previous question, I enjoy roasted chicken, and I adore sponge cake with thick, warm custard. And now, it is my turn to ask,” she said. “What is your favorite taste?”
His loins tightened at once, and the answer came easily. “You, my lady.”
Her gasp was nearly silent. Then she laughed. “Be serious.”
“I am. When I kissed you the first time, I thought you tasted better than anything else in the world.”
Lady Caroline said nothing for a moment, then spoke. “It was simply the orange blossom and lavender beeswax balm.”
“Maybe at first, but only when mixed with the essence of you. I kissed your skin, too, you may recall. I thought all of you to be exquisite.”
She shook her head and touched her gloved palm to her face, dropping it quickly in case she was seen.
“You speak like a lover,” she said.
“Or like a man falling in love.”
Chapter Seven
Geoffrey said the words spontaneously, not to intrigue or ensnare her. Yet as soon as they were out of his mouth, he considered their absolute truth. He would not confess to already loving her, yet his heart might say differently.
Lady Caroline stopped and turned to face him, even as others walked around them along the path.
“I know precisely what you mean. Strange as it may sound, I feel attracted to you beyond reason, beyond the shallow knowledge I have of you, and certainly beyond the little amount of time we have shared.”
Hearing her confession, he nearly drew her close, then recalled where they were.
“I would like to kiss you again,” he said frankly, “but I think it would be better to act honorably if we have any chance of winning over your parents.”
“What about yours?” she asked.
He shrugged. “My parents do not control whom I marry, nor do I live with them. Thus, it is yours we must succeed in placating.”
She sighed. “I believe you are correct. Shall we return to our friends?”
Thus, after being alone with a woman at Vauxhall, he returned her to Trent and Lady Hollidge without having kissed her.It was almost unnatural!
Ignoring Jasper’s knowing look —the devil take him! —Geoffrey had to leave Lady Caroline in his safe hands and watch the three walk away. It was irksome and as she’d once said, it was plainly ridiculous. They were being penalized for something that had occurred before either of them was born.
It was time to speak with his father.
