“Grace is seven and ten, and Mia is five and ten.”
After the house tour, they rejoined Jacob in the parlor.
“It’s a lovely house, my lord. Miss Parker has shared with me that she also has two younger sisters who reside here. I’ve missed my own daughter since she married, and it will be wonderful to be surrounded by young women again. I would be happy to accept the position and can start as soon as I retrieve my belongings from my daughter’s home. Will that be agreeable?”
“Of course. Welcome to our home.” Jacob reached into his pocket and handed her some coins. “Hire a hackney. There’s no need for you to walk.”
“Thank you, Lord Fletcher. That’s very kind of you. I shall return soon.”
After Mrs. Trotter left, Audrey let out a sigh of relief. “I do like her very much. I think she’ll be a grand addition to the household.”
“I agree. Thank you for your help today.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“Would you care to take a stroll around the garden? The sun has finally deigned to grace us with its presence once again,” Jacob said as he stood.
Audrey’s breath caught. Could today be the day she finally received her first kiss from the man who had stolen her heart?
Chapter19
Jacob was relieved that they’dfound a suitable candidate for the housekeeper position. Mrs. Trotter was the ideal person to join the household. Her sweet personality would add some much-needed levity to the home. He wanted to take as many burdens off Miss Parker as he could. He surmised that she’d been the de facto housekeeper while they lived at Gracechurch Street, among other roles.
When he realized that they were alone in the house and could enjoy a private walk in the garden, he jumped at the chance.
“Thank you. That would be lovely,” she said.
Jacob led the way out to the garden through the drawing room’s French doors. He wanted nothing more than to pull Miss Parker into his embrace and kiss her senseless, but he didn’t want to scare her. He would bide his time and wait for the perfect moment, hoping it wouldn’t be interrupted again by her sisters, especially since he had no idea how long they would be gone.
As they walked along the path, he was pleasantly surprised to see a bench against the far fence that he hadn’t noticed before, and he led her over to it. “The garden isn’t too run-down.”
“Grace always loves being out in nature and will relish the opportunity to shape the garden to her liking,” she said, taking a seat on the bench.
Jacob joined her. “And what of you, Miss Parker. Is everything to your liking thus far?”
“It is, my lord, and I cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done for us. I had no idea what to expect from the next Lord Fletcher.”
“I do hope you’re not too disappointed I’m not English.”
“It matters not to me where you hail from. It only matters that my sisters are taken care of.”
“You matter as well, my dear,” he said, stroking her cheek.
When she inhaled softly, he leaned forward, giving her a chance to pull away if she didn’t wish to be kissed. When she didn’t move, he closed the last few inches between them and finally kissed her sweet lips. They were soft, so very soft, and he felt a sudden rightness being with her. When his tongue swept across her bottom lip, she gasped, and he took the opportunity to taste her fully.
He’d kissed other women, but he’d never felt so alive, as if a bolt of lightning had traveled through his entire being, igniting every cell in his body.
He deepened the kiss with a stark need he’d never feltbefore, and soon their tongues tangled in a lively dance. He pulled her closer, and she melted into his embrace. Her sweet sounds and little moans were intoxicating, and he couldn’t get enough of her. His blood was on fire, and if he didn’t stop now, he didn’t know if he could control himself. That realization scared him more than he wanted to admit.
He released her and stood up so suddenly that she nearly toppled off the bench. He reached out to steady her. “Forgive me, Miss Parker. My actions were inexcusable,” he said, striding off back toward the house. If she said anything in reply, he didn’t hear her.
He was ashamed of his actions, for he’d only wanted to give her a sweet kiss, not devour her whole. What had he been thinking? She was an innocent and should be treated with the utmost respect, not taken advantage of. His face flamed with mortification at his loss of control.
222
Audrey was floating onclouds. She was kissing the man she adored, and it was more wonderful than she could have ever thought possible. Something had awakened in her. Every fiber in her body felt electrified. When Jacob tasted her, she finally knew what that look she’d witnessed married ladies sending at their husbands with loving eyes meant.
This is what she’d always wanted. Someone to love and adore her, and she hoped Jacob was that man. By the way he was kissing her, she thought he was.
