Perhaps she should not have come here since it was not proper to be alone with him. But Deborah had needed to be somewhere different and this was the first place that she had wanted to come.
Percy turned toward her. “I must leave soon,” he reminded her. “My parents have written and father needs to discuss matters involving the estate.”
She knew that he could not remain here forever, but that did not mean that her heart did not ache with the very idea of him leaving. “I may miss you, Percy.” Until he told her of any decision he had reached, she would not confess that she had truly fallen in love with him, far beyond the infatuation that had developed a year earlier.
“It has also occurred to me that while we have spent many afternoons visiting and trying to determine if we care enough for each other to court, there is one thing we have not done that may help us make a determination.”
“What could make such a determination?”
“This.” He then placed his hand on her cheek, turned her to face him, then pressed his lips against hers.
It was a light, gentle kiss, and absolutely perfect.
Her heart soared. He must be thinking beyond friendship and more courtship if he had kissed her.
When he pulled back, Deborah smiled. “Did you learn anything from that?”
“Only that I would like to kiss you some more.” And he did, and soon they were heated, open-mouthed and consuming, unlike anything that she could have ever imagined, and most inadequately described in books. Her body grew heated as her head became dizzy, but the kisses continued and she did not want them to stop, even if she had to cling to his shoulders to keep from falling. It was then that Percy scooped her up and settled her on his lap, his hands caressing up and down her back, then her side, as he devoured her. It was only when his hand cupped her swollen and achy breast and a thumb caressed over a nipple did she gasp with the pleasure that swept through her.
“Deborah, where are you?”
Percy quickly removed Deborah from his lap and sat her beside him then scooted away. The last thing Percy needed was to have to explain to his friend before he had his audience with Kenley.
“Mother needs to speak with you,” Peter said as he stepped between the bushes that had shielded them from being seen from the house or the terrace.
Deborah blew out a sigh. “Very well.” She grabbed her crutches and attempted to stand, nearly losing her balance.
Percy was quick to assist her. “I will walk with you,” he offered.
“My sister will be fine. The distance is not so far,” Peter dismissed and watched as Deborah navigated her way down the path and soon disappeared.
Only then did Percy turn to Peter who raised his fist and struck Percy in the nose. He brought his hands to his face and when he drew them away noted the blood. “What the bloody hell did you do that for?”
“You were attempting to seduce my sister.”
“We were sitting on the bench,” he argued.
“Only after I called out. Before that, she was on your bloody lap and your hand…” His fist connected with Percy’s eye.
“I was kissing her. Not seducing,” Percy argued.
“She is not the type of woman you usually enjoy flirting with and kissing. She is my sister!”
“She is different,” Percy insisted.
“I know you. I have seen you each Season and Deborah will not be another one of your conquests.” Peter’s fist connected with his jaw.
He did not have conquests. Yes, he may have kissed his share of misses in dark gardens, but this was different.
“I forbid any further association with my sister. Any of my sisters.”
“I only care for Deborah.”
Peter’s fist connected with his stomach and Percy doubled over. He should fight back but Peter was only defending Deborah’s honor and Percy had kissed her, most thoroughly.
“If you see her ruined then have her marry me,” Percy offered. It would certainly hasten the courtship and he did love her.
“I will not subject my sister to a forced marriage because you attempted to seduce her.”
