“So you are familiar with it?”
“When my father was so ill, I would pour him a glass in the evenings, and I have to admit that my curiosity got the better of me one night, and I took a little sip.”
“Ah, that does surprise me. But don’t worry. I don’t think Mr. Standish would put enough in her chocolate to cause her to forget herself. But like you, she must grow up.”
“And have her first kiss.”
“And hopefully she will enjoy it as much as you enjoyed your first kiss.”
She looked at him and matched his smile. It pleased him that she didn’t try to deny she’d enjoyed the kiss.
“But I’m twenty and will be twenty-one before the end of the year. Gwen is only eighteen.”
“She’s of age to have her first kiss, Miss Prim and Proper.”
“But last night was her first dance, and Mr. Standish the first man she has ever been alone with. At least I had been to a few dances and enjoyed conversations with gentlemen before you kissed me that afternoon at my house.”
Bray reached up, swept his hat off his head, and dropped it to the ground. “And while no one is near and Gwen is not in any danger from Mr. Standish at the moment, I am going to kiss you again.”
Bray took the parasol from Miss Prim and once again pulled it down until their heads were covered by the pale yellow canopy. He dipped his head low and pressed his lips on hers, and moved unhurriedly over her mouth. He placed his free hand to the back of her neck, where he could feel her warm bare skin, and gently caressed her. She parted her lips, giving him permission to probe the depths of her mouth, feeding his arousal. He heard short, choppy gasps and long generous sighs as his lips glided across hers.
She lifted her hands and circled them behind his neck briefly before stretching her arms wide around his back and hugging him closer to her. Bray softly moaned his approval and, in response, dropped his hand from her nape to hug her to him as well.
His lips left hers and he kissed his way down her chin, over her jawline. He swept his tongue down the length of her neck to the base of her throat, where the ribbon of her bonnet lay. With his teeth, he grabbed the ribbon, and in three quick tugs, the pieces of satin were fluttering away from her skin. He planted a moist kiss in the hollow of her throat before finding her lips once more to share in a deep, satisfying kiss that had him aching to lay her back and rest his body on top of hers.
The ribbing of the parasol dug into the top of his head, but Bray paid it no mind. His hand slipped back up behind her neck, then down her shoulder, under her arm, on her breast. He slowly applied pressure to the soft mound, letting his palm stroke and massage her. He felt her tremble, and her reaction caused his lower body to swell beneath his trousers.
Her lips parted again. Bray knew it was madness to continue kissing, fueling the passion that was growing hot and demanding between them, but he didn’t want to stop. His lips roved hungrily, greedily over hers, and she matched his fervor with such excitement, it heated him all the more. It pleased him to hear her swallow small gasps of pleasure as his tongue explored the warmth inside her mouth. She was feeling what he felt, and it elated him.
He loved the way her lips moved with his, the way she tentatively searched his mouth with her tongue, but somewhere in the back of his mind, Bray knew it was time to withdraw. He’d always had a sixth sense about when to step back, and he needed to stop right now.
Reluctantly, he let her go and leaned away from Louisa.
Calming his labored breathing, he inhaled deeply and smoothed down his hair with his palm. He lifted the parasol and returned it to her. He picked up his hat and gave a quick look around as he settled it back on his head. He adjusted his coat and trousers while she retied the ribbons under her chin. No words were necessary while they gained control of their feelings.
Moments later, an elderly couple walking arm in arm came from around the other side of the shrubs and wandered past them. Bray tipped his hat and they nodded.
“That was too close for comfort, Your Grace,” she whispered.
Privately, Bray agreed, but he didn’t want to alarm her. “I heard their footsteps and knew they were close.”
“Do you still think I am Miss Prim and Proper, now that I let you kiss me under the umbrella?”
“Yes,” he said truthfully. “I have no doubt that it would take more than a few kisses and caresses to change you.” He looked over to where Miss Gwen and Mr. Standish were seated. “They are rising,” he said.
“Already?” Miss Prim asked, and rose to her knees. She looked around him. “I’m surprised. They haven’t been here very long.”
“They’re not taking the basket with them, so they’re not leaving. They’re just going for a stroll.”
“Do you think Mr. Standish kissed her while we were—?”
“Kissing?” he finished for her.
“Yes.”
“If he did, it was a short kiss and not at all like what we just shared, so do not worry. She has not had time to be ruined, and neither have you.”
“Perhaps we should take a stroll, too.”
