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Chapter Seventeen
A smile curved Isaac’s lips at the awestruck look on Louisa’s face as she gazed up at the obelisktopped with a majestic carving of a knight in full armor, riding into war. Her innocence showed on her face and he loved the expression as it showed him that he had introduced her to something new.
I wish to take her more places and show her more things.
Louisa had been gracious enough to go with him to see his parents’graves and it might be a simple trip to her, but to him it was everything. Seeing him there, talking to his parents and baring a part of his soul to her, had meant more to him than she would ever know.
He wanted to show her more places, the River Avon, and the healing springs atBath, the theatre houses at Oxford and Nottingham Castle. If he had his way, he would take her to the continent or America.
He wanted to show all she did not think she would ever see and give her all she thought she would never have. Instead of going into the buildings, he took the colonnaded walkways and cobblestone streets, past courtyards full of stone fountains to the southern part, filled with lush lawns and trimmed flower beds.
The land sloped to the Thames and from their spot on the knoll, they could see down to the embankment.
Glancing toward her, he noted how her left hand had lifted to the bow at her chin and at the tie of her bonnet and began to undo it.Isaac felt his mouth go dry. Never in his life would he have presumed a bow might be untied so sensually or that the act of doing sowould be arousing.
But as he watched her slender fingers carefully tugat the ends, loosening it with a slow pull that made him more aroused than it was reasonable.
His entire body responded, forcing him to shift his legs as she gently plucked the bonnet off her head, and not once did he try to stop himself from staring.Her hair was a bit ruffled and a few of the wayward strands began to flutter in the wind.
From nights upon nights of threading his fingers through those strands he knew her hair was indeed glorious. Now, with the light shimmering over it, he realized that it was not only a rich red, but streaked with silky strands of honey, gleaming under the sunlight.
His only regret was how it was tied back in a tight knot at the nape of her neck. Because he knew its length and how it lookedspilling over her shoulders. The auburn strands flittered here and there and before he could stop himself Isaac, stepped behind her and laced his arms around her waist. Louisa startled a little, but soon rested her back on his chest.
He was surprised that she was not raising up an objection to such a public display of affection, but she did not, and he was appreciative for it. Pressing his nose to her hair, he gently breathed soft olive oil soap and fresh water.
“I can see why you love this place,” Louisa whispered. “It’sso peaceful. I can feel the serenity inside my soul.”
“It is,” he replied. “I think about the lives that have passed though these walls, and undoubtedly there are men who faced some ofthe trials I have suffered. They vowed lives of poverty and chastity, but a man is a man, and one of them must have loved and lost.”
Twisting her head to him, Louisa asked, “You know, when we went to school, the priest said, God does not give us more than we can handle. Do not doubt your strength Isaac.”
He dared to drop a kiss on her temple.“Let’s go home, sweetheart.”
After pulling away from her, he led her back to the carriage and helped her in. He directed the driver back to manor and then joined Louisa. “Thank you for coming with me, Louisa.”
“You have nothing to thank me for,” Louisa said, as she leaned into his side. “I know you needed company and I know that if I were in your position, I would have wanted someone with me.”
He answered her by trailing kisses along her cheek and gave hera soft kiss on her lips. “Today, I started thinking about travelling. I know you have not been many places in the country, but I feel that I want show you evenmore, overseas to the continent, and even halfway around the world to New Holland.”
Apprehension grew in her warm eyes.“Isaac, I would love to go with you—but, how can that be? I am only your servant.”
Placing a hand over hers, he held it tight. “Perhaps you can be more.”
The openness in her eyes vanished; as if a steel door had slammed itself shut there, and Isaac knew that he had pushed into fear and retreat. His simple sentence had carried weight and both knew it, only though it had settled hard on his chest, it had knocked Louisa over.
“Louisa—”
“Please, stop,” she whispered.
His lips clamped shut and worry began to grow in his chest the more she retreated from him. Louisa kept her eyes trained out the window and her pale face wasset in a grimace. Isaac would have given anything and everything to know what was going through her mindand hated himself for pushing her.
He knew that Louis was alreadyhesitant being with him, and the steps she had taken were leaps of faith to her. And now, his careless words had thrown her back to the starting point. While his words had scared her, they had settled into his heart with a finality he had never expected, but it felt right.
Next time you nodcock, keep subtle hints about marriage to yourself.
She did not speak to him again until they arrived at the manor and only before the footman opened the door, he held her hands, and felt glad that she did not pull away. “I am sorry.”
Her rigid posture deflated, and she nodded while pulling her handsaway. “I forgive you.”
