“Well, most of it revolved around kissing.”
Before Camilla could do more than emit a bit of a snort, Owen strode up to join them, handing her a glass of sweet tea.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he began.
“Not at all,” she said, taking a sip of tea that soothed a throat she only then realized was downright parched. “Charles and I were just discussing kissing.”
Owen’s brows shot almost to his hairline as he immediately turned to Charles. “Any specific reason you’d be discussing kissing with Camilla?”
“I suppose we were discussing it because that’s what Elma wanted to talk about when she was chaperoning Luella and me the other day.”
“Why would Aunt Elma bring kissing into a conversation?” Owen asked.
Charles shrugged. “It’s Elma. I have no idea what goes on in that mind of hers. If I were to hazard a guess, though, I’d say she’s decided it’s her role in life to dispense wisdom to younger generations.”
“What kind of wisdom?”
“Most of it revolves around the idea that Elma’s not in accord with the idea that couples who find themselves enamored with each other wait until they’re married before they get around to doing what Elma said was ‘testin’ the waters before you jump feet first into the pond.’”
“And that testing centers around kissing?”
“Apparently so.”
Owen narrowed his eyes. “And what did Aunt Elma have to say about what’s involved with that whole testing-the-water-first business?”
Charles took to blotting his forehead with his handkerchief again. “I’m not exactly sure because Elma does meander her way around a story. But from what I gathered, she’s come to some interesting conclusions regarding relationships after being marriedto Seth McColloch, who was—and in her words—‘a no-good, lying, cheat of a man she never done should’ve married on account of her mama never givin’ Seth the recipe cuz her mama done knew he weren’t nothin’ but a dog.’” Charles smiled. “Elma stopped her tale at that point to say she didn’t mean any offense to any dogs out there because all the dogs in the Chesterfield family, as well as Camilla’s, were far more upstanding creatures than Seth ever was.”
Camilla couldn’t resist a grin. “Elma does certainly know how to meander with a tale.”
“Indeed,” Charles agreed. “But after she said that bit about her late husband, she then went on to say that it’s been her experience that if a couple isn’t compatible in the kissing department, something she and Seth evidently weren’t, they wouldn’t be compatible in most areas. That’s why she’s evidently taken it upon herself to encourage couples to exchange a few kisses before any vows are spoken.”
Owen’s gaze sharpened on Charles. “Aunt Elma wasn’t telling you this because she believes you and Luella should be trying to steal some kisses, was she?”
“I’m not a mind reader, Owen” was all Charles said to that.
“True, but I have the sneaking suspicion you think that’s exactly what Aunt Elma was suggesting.” Owen pressed his fingers to his temple, as if it was beginning to throb. “I’m going to have to have a chat with Aunt Elma because she will definitely not be chaperoning you and Luella again.”
Charles dabbed his forehead again. “Elma’s probably not going to like that because I get the distinct impression she relishes her chaperoning duties.”
“Relishing or not, there’s no possibility she’ll be accompanying you and Luella again, and to make sure all the proprieties are going to continue being upheld...” Owen took a step closer to Charles. “You’re going to promise me here and now that you’ll never, as in ever, attempt to steal a kiss from my little sister.”
Charles turned the hoe around a few times before he shook his head. “I don’t believe I can, in good faith, promise you that.”
“Why not?”
“One would think that’s obvious.”
Owen’s face began turning an interesting shade of red. “You’ve been considering kissing my sister?”
“It might have crossed my mind a time or two.”
Owen pressed his fingers to his temple again.
“At least he’s honest with you,” Camilla couldn’t help pointing out.
“And while honesty is an admirable trait,” Owen admitted, “that doesn’t mean I’m not feeling a distinct urge to, well, it wouldn’t be constructive to give Charles advance notice of what I may or may not do to him in the near future if I get the impression he’s got kiss thievery on his mind again.”
“From what Aunt Elma and the sewing ladies have told me, men have kissing on their minds most of the time,” Camilla said.
