His arms unexpectedly slipped around her, and she leaned against him.
“I don’t mind my own company. And I assume you will come visit me at Bexley Hall or invite me here again.”
Before he could say anything more, she had to ask Lord Hewitt the question she had wondered about ever since Lady Twitchard told her she was to spend the day with him.
“Are you courting me?”
Brilliance felt him tense.
Chapter Sixteen
As usual, Lady Brilliance didn’t mince words. Out of habit, Vincent’s first thought was that he didn’t want to mislead her. Yet, for the first time in a long time, her words were precisely in line with his wishes. He did, in fact, intend to court her. He did not have to dredge up those tired and trite words about enjoying the lady’s company while hoping she didn’t expect more from him.
Today, he could acknowledge thathewas the one who wanted more.
“Yes, my lady, I would like to court you.”
“That’s good,” she said. “Then you may keep your arms around me, and you may kiss me.”
He needed no further invitation. However, when he leaned down, she asked, “You want children, do you not?”
He froze. That was a little further into the future than he had been pondering. There was the engagement, probably three months, then the wedding, followed by the honeymoon period as they settled in and got to know one another. And maybe after a year of being careful in the marriage bed, then they could allow nature to take its course.
“I ask because I have enjoyed being one of five. I like a large family.”
Then she curled her fingers into the hair behind his head and drew him down a little closer.
His eyes crossed while trying to look at her face a mere two inches from his own.
“Yes, a few children will be most welcome,” he said. And finally, he claimed her mouth.
She tasted like mint, which must be due to her tooth powders because he couldn’t imagine she’d chewed on mint with breakfast. But he forgot that as he molded her curves to his body and thought it astonishing how perfectly they fit. He couldn’t get her close enough and imagined a day when they would be bare skin against bare skin. If he had to marry her to accomplish that, so be it!
Happiness blossomed inside him at the idea of marrying her. The search he hadn’t even been aware of was over. And it had happened so easily. What’s more, he knew full well she would never betray him — Brilliance was frank and forthright. And he was a lucky man to have won her affections.
“Do you think we could lie down here on the grassy bank?” she asked. “I confess my knees are trembling and ready to collapse.”
“Yes,” he said. “No! We mustn’t. That would break the trust placed in us by my cousin. But you are so delectable.” He squeezed her waist. “Blast it!”
She giggled as he warred with his conscience. “Hold my hand, Lord Hewitt, and we shall stroll back and keep the trust placed in us, for which I am very grateful. If we were in London, it would be impossible for us to even promenade alone.”
Vincent was equally grateful. “I have a surprise,” he blurted when they were nearly back at his home. “I hope you’re ready for a small nuncheon.”
“I am indeed.”
He drew out her chair at the same wicker table, glad his cousin and the other two females, who had looked at him as though he was a juicy piece of beef, weren’t there.
Opening his back door, he called out to whoever was within listening range, “We’re ready for the cheese and bread. And we’ll have wine. Wait.” He looked back at Brilliance. “Tea or wine, my lady?”
The sun was on her bonnet, the very same one he’d given her. Her blue eyes gazed at him, and he vowed he felt pure adulation for this woman on his terrace.
“Tea, please. Unless ... no, I think wine if it’s red. Thank you.”
“Claret,” he yelled out, then realized his housekeeper was standing close. “Thank you, Mrs. Mullens.”
When the trays came out laden with rolls and butter, cheese and sliced apples, and a carafe of wine, Brilliance clapped.
“A wonderful surprise. I thought we wouldn’t be eating until Colonel and Lady Twitchard arrived.”
