Page 46 of To Steal a Kiss

“How can the explanation spoil it?” Harriet demanded, genuinely perplexed. “I think it’s marvellous.”

Henry rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the cascade.

“Come with me,” Nate whispered, the hand on her waist guiding her away from her friends. Alice hardly dared breathe as they moved away from the cascade, away from the crowds and into the darkness of the surrounding woodland.

Once out of sight and in the privacy afforded by a huge oak tree, Nate pulled her into his arms.

“May I kiss you?” he asked, his voice rough with desire.

By way of answer, Alice reached up and tugged at his neck, wishing there were a handy footstool to be had. Nate’s lips were soft and warm, his mouth urgent upon hers as they kissed.

This, she thought as all the worries and stresses of the day fell from her shoulders, anything is worth this.

Nate drew back, his face only dimly visible as a little moonlight filtered through the canopy overhead.

“Matilda will invite you and some of the others for a walk at Kensington Gardens tomorrow,” he said, one large hand cupping her cheek. “Can you come?”

Alice bit her lip. “Mother has told me I’m not to visit with her again,” she said, feeling wretched. “But if I go with one of the other girls… maybe?”

Nate sighed and pressed his forehead to hers. “Do you hate me for having to lie and plot in such an underhand manner?”

“Never,” she said, sliding her arms around him and pressing close. “I hate my parents for their snobbery. It’s them that force me to lie. You’re a good man, a kind one, one who would make me happy. They’re just too blind to see it, or to care what I want.”

“Do I make you happy?” he asked, a thread of anxiety in his voice. “I think I must cause you a deal of worry.”

“Yes, you silly creature,” she said, marvelling that he could doubt it. “You do make me happy, but I’ll be happier still if you kiss me again. We can’t be gone long; the spectacle must be almost over.”

He chuckled at that but instead of kissing her he turned away.

“What are you…?” she began, and then smothered a squeal of surprise as he swung her up into his arms.

“Here,” he said, moving sure-footed in the darkness. “A tree stump should suffice.”

He set her down and Alice beamed at him as she discovered they were now level.

“Oh, yes,” she said, sighing with pleasure. “That’s much better.”

Nate stared at her, smiling, and Alice blushed a little at the look in his eyes. He looked as if he wanted to devour her. It was rather thrilling.

“Aren’t you going to kiss me, then?” she asked, feeling a little of her shyness return, which seemed odd as she’d thrown caution to the wind already tonight.

Nate shook his head, his smile widening to include a glimpse of white teeth. Like the smiling jaws of a tiger. Alice experienced a visceral thrill of anticipation.

“No,” he said. “I did already. It’s your turn.”

He stared at her and she became aware of the rapid rise and fall of his chest, the desire darkening his eyes.

“I’m all yours,” he said, his voice rough. “Do with me what you will.”

The words set sparks in her blood, blazing to life like a match to brandy. It was heady, that invitation, giving her power and permission to do as she pleased.

Alice reached out, cupping his face between her hands. She stroked his cheeks and frowned a little at the neatly tied cravat. “I preferred you without the cravat, and coat, and waistcoat,” she said with a sigh.

“You mean to tell me I’m wearing too many clothes?” he asked with a wicked chuckle that might have made her blush once again, but Alice raised her chin.

“Yes,” she said with a touch of defiance. “I rather think you are.”

“Touch me then,” he said, sounding breathless. “Put your hands on my skin.”