An Unconventional Countess, page 16
‘I don’t know...perhaps.’ She was surprised by her own answer. ‘But what would you do? Go back to the navy and leave me behind?’
‘Not necessarily. Maybe I’ll decide on a career in baking instead. That’s something we would decide together. I’ve saved a reasonable amount of prize money over the years so I wouldn’t have to go back if you didn’t want me to.’
‘But I thought you said you belonged there?’
‘I said that it gave me a sense of belonging, but maybe belonging doesn’t have to be with a ship.’ His gaze latched on to hers. ‘Maybe it could mean with a person instead. Maybe it already does.’
‘You should still wait and see what happens.’
‘Why? If we belong together, then what does it matter who I am or where we are?’
Anna clenched her jaw, refusing to consider the possibility. ‘Are you always so impulsive?’
‘I joined the navy on impulse. That was the best decision I ever made.’
‘Well, I like to think things through.’
‘That’s why we’re perfect together.’
‘Except that you don’t love me.’ She spoke the words softly, trying her hardest to make them into a statement and not a question. She didn’t want to sound as if she were trying to force him into a declaration. He hadn’t said that he loved her, although his words were tantalisingly close. Did she love him? Everything had happened so fast that she hadn’t had a chance to consider. Maybe it was too fast? What had he said about his parents’ whirlwind romance? Maybe there was a danger of them repeating the same mistake. She didn’t know. All she knew was that her blood was coursing so heavily that she could hear the rapid thud of her own heartbeat.
‘Don’t I?’ He rubbed a hand thoughtfully over his chin. ‘I’ve never considered the idea in a great deal of depth before. How would I know if I did?’
‘I don’t think I’m the person to ask. I’ve never considered it in depth before, either.’
‘Then maybe we both ought to start considering.’ He lifted his hands to either side of her face, twisting it slowly towards him and lowering his mouth against hers. His touch was featherlight and gentle, stroking and caressing rather than possessing. His lips were warm and soft, too, making her feel as if she were slipping into some kind of trance. Her mind, that was, since her body felt the exact opposite, thrumming with vibrations that seemed to reach down to her very core. Briefly, she thought of the piano he’d played in Bath, feeling as though she were the instrument. His hands seemed to be playing her just as skilfully, trailing a slow path over her throat, down her shoulders and around her back, down to the base of her spine, making every part of her quiver.
They came apart finally and he looked deep into her eyes, his own heavy-lidded with what, even to her inexperienced mind, looked like desire. Desire for her. The thought made her even more light-headed. If she wasn’t careful, she might lose her grasp on reality altogether. She might forget who she was and where she came from and start to think that she belonged with him, too. And then what might she say...and do? It was madness to even consider marrying him and yet...she was.
‘It’s just something to think about.’ He touched his forehead lightly against hers before moving away. ‘You don’t have to give an answer. Not yet.’
Chapter Sixteen
Samuel waited outside for an hour while Anna went to meet her family. It gave him some time to think about what had happened in the herb garden, which he had to admit, in retrospect, might have been somewhat misguided. They’d both been through enough emotional turmoil over the past few days without him bringing up the subject of marriage. He probably should have waited. On the other hand, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it, either. The fact that she hadn’t refused outright made him optimistic, too.
‘I’m sorry for keeping you waiting,’ a voice called out from behind. ‘I hope you don’t feel banished out here.’
‘Not at all.’ He turned to find Tobias Holden walking towards him. ‘I’m sure you had a lot to talk about.’
‘Twenty-five years’ worth and we’re not finished yet. I just wanted to thank you again for bringing my sister and niece back to us.’
‘They were coming anyway.’
‘But you came with them. My mother and I are both grateful.’
‘Then you’re welcome.’ Samuel inclined his head with a smile. The other man had a kind face, a lot like his sister’s, and greying curls that seemed determined to stand upright rather than flat on his head.
‘We’ve wasted so many years.’ Tobias sounded regretful. ‘I always thought that Elizabeth must hate us for what happened.’
‘I don’t think she’s the kind of person who hates.’
‘Neither is our mother, although I’m afraid she never had the courage to stand up to our father. Neither did I, unfortunately, and after he died... Well, we assumed it was too late for a reconciliation.’
‘Was he such a tyrant?’
‘He wasn’t a bad man, but he was very proud. Once he found out who my sister had eloped with, he forbade us from ever speaking about her again.’
‘Did he know she lived in Bath?’
‘I believe so. He had terrible gout, but he refused to go anywhere near the city.’
‘And your older brother? What will he think about all this?’
‘Anthony can think what he wishes. I won’t let him spoil things.’ The other man’s expression turned resolute. ‘Now, will you stay and have luncheon with us?’
‘I don’t wish to intrude. Perhaps I ought to leave the ladies here and return later?’
‘I won’t hear of it, Captain.’ Mrs Fortini emerged out onto the terrace at that moment, Anna on one arm and the Dowager Duchess on the other. ‘There’ll be no more tears, I promise. We’ll all be perfectly composed for the rest of the day.’
‘Well, then...’ Samuel smiled, though his eyes felt like magnets, drawn inevitably straight towards Anna ‘...how can I refuse?’
* * *
Mrs Fortini was as good as her word, Samuel reflected, as he, Tobias and Anna strolled in the grounds later that afternoon. The mood during luncheon had been warm and light-hearted, without any tears at all, as if nothing untoward had happened during the past twenty-five years. Even Anna had started to smile and relax in her new family’s company, though she seemed subdued, too, as if her thoughts were elsewhere...
Her uncle Tobias, as it turned out, was another kind of seafarer, a member of the Royal Academy who’d been a member of several scientific expeditions to study ichthyology around northern Europe. It was a topic he enthused about over luncheon, insisting on taking Samuel and Anna to see what he referred to as his ‘pride and joy’ afterwards.
‘There it is.’ Tobias stopped beside a lake, around a hundred feet in length and only slightly less in breadth. ‘Stocked with the finest examples of trout and perch I could find.’
‘It’s a beautiful prospect.’ Samuel smiled as his gaze fell upon a small wooden jetty. ‘You have a rowing boat.’
‘Yes, I like a day’s fishing now and again.’
‘She looks like a sturdy vessel. Do you think I might be permitted to borrow it?’
‘Of course.’ Tobias looked surprised. ‘Do you want to go fishing?’
‘Not today, but I’ve been pining for the water over the past few months.’ He exchanged a swift glance with Anna, wondering if he could convince her to join him. There was only one way to find out... ‘And I’d like to show Miss Fortini here my navigational skills.’
‘On a lake?’ Her eyes lit up with amusement.
‘At least you can be sure we won’t get lost.’ He grabbed her hand before she could argue, pulling her towards the jetty.
‘Samuel!’ Anna gave him a remonstrative look as they reached the boat. ‘There’s only one bench.’
‘Then you’ll just have to sit in the stern. It looks dry enough, but here...’ He shrugged out of his jacket and laid it flat in the bottom of the boat. ‘Use this.’
She lifted an eyebrow. ‘Something tells me you wouldn’t ask a real lady to sit there.’
‘You are a real lady, although if you mean some timid debutante just out of the schoolroom then you’re right, I wouldn’t. But then I wouldn’t have asked her to come with me in the first place.’ He held out a hand and gave her a quick wink. ‘Fortunately, I know you’re not likely to have a fit of the vapours.’
‘I might surprise you.’
He grinned as she accepted his hand and stepped down from the jetty, staggering against him slightly as she made her way to the stern.
‘It’s very wobbly.’ She sounded anxious.
‘I won’t let you fall, I promise.’
‘So far, so good.’ She settled herself on his coat, rearranging her skirts and then opening up the parasol that her grandmother had insisted she carry in the sunshine. ‘Do I have to address you as Captain now we’re on the water?’
‘Naturally. Unless you want to be put in the brig for insubordination.’ He untied the rope that held them to the jetty and jerked his head towards the other end of the boat. ‘It’s over there and there’s no coat to sit on.’
‘Oh, dear.’ She laughed. ‘Well, then, whatever you say, Captain.’
Samuel looked away quickly, using one of the oars to push them off as a bolt of desire shot through his body. She looked so pretty leaning backwards, one hand trailing in the water while she twirled her parasol in the other, completely relaxed, too, definitely more than she had been at luncheon, as if she were happy that it was just the two of them again. Considering what they’d discussed that morning he took that as a good sign.
‘What are you thinking about?’ he asked as they glided out into the middle of the lake.
‘Just that I could get used to this. It’s so peaceful. All I can hear are birds singing and water lapping against the oars. Is this how it is at sea?’
‘Not exactly.’ He laughed at the idea. ‘Ships are noisy places, especially ships with cannons and squadrons of marines on board. There isn’t much time for quiet reflection.’
‘I suppose not.’ She gave him a quizzical glance. ‘You look happy.’
‘I told you, I like water.’
‘Does Staunton have a lake?’
‘I’ve no idea.’
‘You ought to find out just in case you do inherit. What self-respecting captain can have a house without a lake?’
‘I’d be a retired captain, but you’re absolutely right. If there isn’t, then I’ll make it my first order of business to dig one. If I inherit.’
‘I think you’d make a very good earl.’
‘Based on?’
‘On my own vast experience of running country estates, naturally.’ She paused, her expression turning serious. ‘And because you’re a good man.’
‘For a gentleman?’
‘For any man.’
He felt a fresh stirring of desire, his blood heating at the words. ‘You ought to be careful, Anna. That kind of praise might go to my head.’
‘I’ve said enough insulting things about you. It’s about time I redressed the balance a little.’
‘Is that why you let me kiss you this morning? To redress the balance?’
‘No.’ A delicate pink flush suffused her cheeks. ‘I let you kiss me because I liked it.’
‘I liked it, too. If I thought I could get away with it, I’d do it again.’ His gaze dropped to her lips. They were slightly parted and temptingly moist-looking. ‘You know the far shore is a long way from the house. I could take you there and kiss you properly. No one would see. Not without a telescope anyway.’
‘They still might wonder what we were up to. I don’t want my uncle and grandmother thinking I have loose morals on the first day I meet them. Besides, we don’t need a distant shore. I have this parasol. If we hide behind it, then nobody will see.’
‘Is that an invitation?’ His heart leapt at the thought. ‘Does this mean you’re considering my proposal?’
‘I didn’t say that.’ Her lashes fluttered downwards for a second, obscuring his view of her eyes. ‘But it might help me to decide.’
‘Well, in that case...’ He rested the oars on his lap and leaned forward, bringing his face down to hers.
‘I am considering it.’ She spoke softly, tilting the parasol so that they were both sheltered from any view of the house. ‘Only I can’t promise anything, not yet.’
‘I understand.’ He rubbed his nose lightly against hers. ‘It’s a big decision.’
‘Not to mention sudden and impetuous and reckless. And anyone watching is going to get very suspicious if I keep my parasol here for much longer. You ought to hurry up and kiss me, Captain Delaney, or I’ll have to do it myself.’
‘Go ahead.’ The words made him positively feverish. ‘I’m not going anywhere.’
Brown eyes seemed to spark briefly before she kissed him, closing the remaining distance between them without hesitation or trepidation or the faintest hint of reticence. Her lips were soft and silky, tasting of the wine they’d drunk at lunchtime, intoxicating his senses more than a whole bottle of rum could have done. He kissed her back, sliding his tongue past the smooth line of her lips. She moaned softly and he went deeper, cupping one hand around the back of her head as he tasted the inside of her mouth. He could feel each of their heartbeats accelerating through both layers of their clothing, could feel the gasp of her breath as his own emerged in increasingly short bursts. Unfortunately, he could also feel the oars slipping away from his lap.
‘You’re a fast learner.’ He ended the kiss reluctantly, making a grab for the oars before they fell into the water.
‘You’re a good teacher, Captain.’ She tipped the parasol back behind her head, her cheeks pinker than ever. ‘I’m almost tempted to let you take me ashore, after all. Except that then I’d have to marry you.’
‘If I thought you could be compromised so easily, then we’d be there already.’ He arched an eyebrow. ‘But something tells me you wouldn’t let me get away with that.’
‘You’re right. Unlike ladies, shopkeepers are allowed to be slightly scandalous. It might actually sell more biscuits, especially if you do turn out to be an earl.’
‘Well, in that case...’
‘No!’
‘Just as long as you’re thinking about it.’
‘I am.’ She leaned back again, a smile dancing about her kiss-swollen lips. ‘I am thinking about it, Captain.’
Chapter Seventeen
Anna pulled back the green-velvet brocade of her bedroom curtains to look out at the dawn. The park around Staunton was shrouded in a thin layer of mist, but spring was in full flush, making the whole world look vibrant and sparkling and green. Not just one shade of green either, but at least twenty different shades all merging seamlessly together. It made her feel alive and happy and rejuvenated.
Now that she was at liberty to sleep in, she found she didn’t want to. She was eager to start the day, to see Samuel again, too. Unconsciously, she lifted a hand to her mouth, remembering the feeling of his lips against hers. Telling him about what had happened eight years ago, not to mention meeting her uncle and grandmother, had made her feel as if several weights had been lifted from her shoulders all at once. And the boat ride afterwards had been quite...enlightening. Kissing Samuel behind her parasol had felt wicked and thrilling at the same time. She’d told him she could get used to this kind of life and, surprisingly, she’d actually meant it. Not lounging around in boats all day, of course, but a life in the countryside. It was all so unexpectedly peaceful. And surely a countess would have a purpose in life, too. It wouldn’t all be entertaining neighbours and arranging dinner parties and picnics. She could do some good for the estate and the people who lived there. She could...
She let the curtain fall abruptly. She was getting ahead of herself. She’d agreed to think about marriage, but there was no hurry, especially when so much was still undecided. Samuel had implied that he wanted an answer before he knew what his future would be, but there wasn’t just his potential inheritance to consider. There was the matter of his grandfather’s health, too. She couldn’t marry him while she was keeping such a big secret. It would be disloyal, especially after he’d called her honest and loyal. Perhaps she ought to write to the Baroness and ask permission to tell him?
She started towards the writing desk in one corner and then stopped at the sound of a light tap on the door. At such an early hour of the morning she assumed it could only be her mother, opening her door and feeling a thrill of excitement at the sight of Samuel instead.
‘I thought you might be up already.’ He smiled, his gaze skimming over her nightgown in a way that made the skin beneath tingle. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Yes, thank you.’ She clutched the neck of her nightgown self-consciously. It was warm enough that she hadn’t felt the need for a wrap and the top ribbon must have come undone while she slept, letting the edges fall open. By contrast, Samuel was already dressed, albeit casually, in a loose-fitting shirt and trousers paired with Hessian boots. Judging by the swathe of dark stubble on his chin, he hadn’t shaved yet, either. ‘What about you?’
‘Surprisingly well, all things considered.’ He pressed one hand against the door frame. ‘I had quite lucid dreams.’
‘Oh?’
‘You might be better not knowing,’ he teased. ‘But I’m here with an invitation. I met with the estate steward last night and he told me something you might be interested in. It’s in the gardens so I thought we could go and see if it’s true together. Meet me in the hall in ten minutes?’
‘Sooner than that.’ She didn’t even pause to consider. ‘Give me five.’
Hurriedly, she closed the door, divesting herself of her nightgown and replacing it with a plain blue muslin dress and woollen shawl. Her hair was already impossible, most of it having escaped from its braid to surround her face with a mass of tight, bouncy curls, but she was in too much of a hurry now to do anything about it.
