He set the twins down and they scampered to find their wraps. Louisa stood still, her gaze didn’t waver as she looked upon him with a face glowing with happiness. Stepping closer, he dropped his eyes to her parted lips. More than anything he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. But since they were in front of the children, he didn’t dare show such affection toward a servant.
He cupped the side of her face, and she snuggled against his palm, closing her eyes. The peaceful expression on her face made her look like an angel. How could he resist something so beautiful? So tempting?
Plain and simple, he couldn’t.
He dropped his lips to hers, brushing them ever so softly across her mouth. A gasp sprang from her first, then ended with a moan as she wrapped her arms around his middle.
This kiss was as uplifting as their last had been, and he wanted to devour her fully. Fortunately, the giggles of his children stopped him from going any farther. He broke the kiss, but didn’t pull away. Instead he rested his forehead against her. Breathing in her rose scent, he was content to stay this way for a moment longer.
“What was that for?” she asked.
“For… for being so wonderful.”
She hiccupped a laugh. “No, Your Grace,youare the one who is wonderful.”
“Trevor—if you please.”
She smiled and sighed. “Trevor.”
He rubbed his cheek against hers before placing one last kiss on her mouth. “Now, perhaps I should leave so you can ready the children.” He stepped closer to the door. “I fear if I stay any longer I will be tempted to hold you longer.”
Louisa’s cheeks turned an adorable pink. “I shall have them ready very soon.”
“Splendid.” He winked, turned, and hurried out of the room.
He practically skipped down the stairs, whistling… something he hadn’t done in quite a long time. The servants stopped and looked at him with wide eyes and grins. Apparently they noticed his new attitude as well. He chuckled and loved the newfound emotion expanding inside his chest.
Finally, he would feel like he had his very own family.
Ten minutes later, they were all settled in the opened landau and heading toward their destination. Louisa sat across from him by Amanda, and Adam sat next to Trevor. Excitement beamed on the twins’ glowing faces. They pointed and laughed at the lovely landscape. It surprised him how much they knew, but when they started naming flowers, it shocked him even more. By the conversation between Louisa and the children, heconcludedshehad taught them. Her eyes danced with happiness as she helped them pronounce the flowers’ names.
Green Park was first on Trevor’s agenda for this afternoon, mainly so his children could see the animals, pet them, and perhaps get a cup of fresh milk. As a youngster, his mother had taken him here. Never his father, though. Trevor’s sire was too busy sleeping off his nocturnal activities.
As Trevor walked through the park beside Louisa, each child held one of their hands. Not many people were out this afternoon, but the few who were gave Trevor judgmental stares—especially when noticing how closely he walked beside Louisa. Anger rose inside him and he wanted to tell them to mind their own business. Even Louisa fidgeted as if uncomfortable, but she said nothing. He didn’t want anything to ruin their outing, so he put his anger behind him and continued with their walk.
Louisa helped the children name each animal, then she asked Adam and Amanda what sound each animal made. It amazed him how intelligent the twins were which of course made him puff his chest, proud of his children’s accomplishments at such a young age.
After their walk through Green Park, he took them to Bond Street. The streets were much busier, but he brought them here because he wanted to purchase a gift for the children. As much as he wanted to get Louisa something special, he knew that wouldn’t be proper… and the gossip circles would stir to life with that tidbit.
The driver stopped the landau and opened the door for Trevor. Once he was out, he turned and helped the children down, then reached a hand for Louisa. As before, her cheeks reddened, and she shyly looked away, but allowed his assistance. Immediately, Adam grasped Trevor’s hand and Amanda the other. This time when they walked, Louisa walked a few stepsbehind. He really wanted her by his side, but knew it was best this way.
As they passed a shop window filled with pastries, Adam pulled away and stopped in front, pressing his nose to the glass. Trevor grinned. He recalled doing this very thing when he was a lad.
Amanda released his hand and stood by her brother, admiring the tarts in the window. “Papa?” she asked. “Peez, have one?”
“Of course, my dear.”
He glanced at Louisa to ask if she would like a pastry, but she wasn’t looking toward the window. Instead, she focused on something behind him. Instead of the shy smile he’d watched for the past little while, a suspicious frown tugged on her lips.
Just as he turned to see what bothered her, another person bumped into him, making him stumble. “Forgive me for not seeing—” he began to say, but the vagabond didn’t stop.
Louisa gasped and jumped in the stranger’s path. As the young lad skirted around to avoid her, Louisa’s hand slipped in the boy’s pocket quick as a flash. The vagabond pushed her shoulder, aiming his glare right at her, opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped. Wide eyes stared at Louisa for a few seconds, before the lad sprinted into a run.
Shock washed over Trevor as he witnessed the scene. Her movement was so quick—so precise—he wondered if he’d actually seen what he had.
Louisa stood still, staring at the object in her hand. Her face void of color.
“What in heaven’s name—” he snapped, but then noticed what she held out to him.My pocket watch?He dug inside his pocket—the same place he always kept his watch—but it wasn’t there. Words choked in his throat.The thief.
