“Do you intend to go through with this marriage?” He spoke in a low tone. She wasn’t fooled by it. He was thunderous.
“I don’t know! I can’t make such a momentous decision now. Please, I need to go back. We can’t be discovered together.”
“Let’s wait until the end of the house party. Will you meet me here every day?”
“If I can—”
“You can. I’ll wait for you here. But Josephine?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t kiss my brother.” He drew close to her and his lips brushed against her cheek, her ear. A butterfly caress. “You are mine, and mine alone. Even if you don’t know it yet.”
CHAPTER 7
Avoidingherfiancéduringthe house party proved to be no problem at all, for he only paid her any attention at public functions. And then only to ask for the requisite dance, or speak very briefly of inconsequential matters. After another such night, Josephine retired to her room, looking forward to removing her evening gown and spending an hour or two working on her favorite project. Her maid was already waiting for her, and as she went through the process of removing her gown and plaiting her hair, Josephine forced herself to examine her feelings for the two brothers.
Henry was polite and charming enough, but it seemed as if he had no more interest in her than she had in him. Michael, on the other hand, sought every moment to be alone with her. He had maids deliver notes discreetly, asking her to meet him here or there. He had a bouquet delivered to her room every morning. Always different flowers. Always the most fragrant of blossoms. She was surrounded by a symphony of scent, her mind swirlingin floral and herbal notes that had her dreaming of heady perfumes.
The fact that he knew of her hobby and did everything he could to support and encourage it was the biggest point in his favor. That and the fact that they could talk about anything. From the most mundane matters to their deepest, most closely guarded desires.
He had a profound interest in everything about her and had quickly overcome her natural reticence by asking probing questions and encouraging her to do the same. He always listened with rapt attention and never judged or criticized. With him, she felt free and cherished as she never had felt before in her life. Not even with her family, for they had rules and expectations placed on her. But Michael accepted and liked her just as she was.
And she felt the same way about him. She loved his free spirit, his sense of humor, and the passion he imbued into every aspect of life. She never imagined such a close bond could be formed with someone in such a short time. He had become her best friend, her accomplice, and the only man who ignited her passion. Their kisses became more heated every time their mouths joined. Hands touching, exploring, grabbing. Becoming familiar with each other, hinting at pleasure beyond her comprehension. Teasing her with the promise of more but always leaving her wanting.
As much as they desired each other, they were not completely lost to propriety though, and she knew he was waiting for her to make her decision. But was there any decision to be made? There was no comparison in her heart between Michael and his brother. Henry was no more than a distant acquaintance at this point, while Michael had become her everything. She could not even contemplate the idea of marrying his brother.
Her night preparations finished, she dismissed her maid and sat at the worktable she had set up in a corner of her room. Working on her perfumes always calmed her. And the special project she had undertaken would keep her mind focused as she pondered what she knew she had to do. The house party would end tomorrow with a grand ball to announce her engagement to Henry. The time to talk to her parents had come. And yet the idea made her freeze in panic.
She picked up one of the vials, unstoppered and smelled it. The fragrance made her heart swell and her mood lift. Anxiety about the impending hard conversation with her parents receded. She had found it. The scent that Michael had inspired. After several batches, she had captured the soul of it. She would give it to him tomorrow, along with the formula, so he could have it replicated if he so wished.
She consulted her notebook and found the formula for that batch. Turning to a fresh page, she carefully copied it in ink. After she finished listing the ingredients and measurements, it only needed a name. What to call it? She could simply call it ‘Michael’, but that was too obvious. What about Winding Paths? Yes! Like the maze where they had met. It had a special symbolism, as their relationship was winding and complicated. The same as the fragrance. It was deceptively fresh, with a surprising depth and a few unexpected notes here and there. Would he like it? She hoped so.
She was about to go to bed, when…
Toc-toc.
The soft tap had her snapping to attention. Was that from her window? Heart in her throat, she ran across the room and pulled the heavy velvet drape aside. There, standing on the narrow ledge outside her window, was Michael, wearing a smug smile.
She gasped and barely contained her squeal of delight as she unlocked the sash. But she caught herself in time. She must notalert anyone to his presence in her room. Michael took her in his arms as soon as he jumped inside. Their mouths collided, their lips melding in an almost desperate embrace, as if it had not been a mere few hours ago that they had seen each other.
“Michael, this is reckless. If we are caught…” she said some time later when they came up for air.
His response was another kiss until he had effectively silenced her protests.
“Time is up, Josie. You need to make a decision.”
“I know. I’ll talk to my parents tomorrow. But I’m afraid, Michael. They will pressure me. They might even forbid our marriage.”
“I will be by your side when you tell them. We’ll face them together.”
As tempting as that sounded, she shook her head. “That will only make it worse.”
“Let’s elope, then.”
“But I am not of age yet. Not for another five months.”
“We could go to Scotland.”
