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“Thank you, Mama. I would love that,” Bella said, easing her fingers into a pair of pale grey kid gloves.
“I am very happy to do that,” her mother said with a smile. “What are your plans for today?” she asked sweetly.
“I thought a ride through the park and an ice at Gunter’s would make a nice outing,” Slade said, relieved the day had not been canceled. True to his word, Slade had hired Bow Street Runners yesterday, with expectations they would search out Lady Evers and keep an eye on the Rothmore townhouse.
His footman held open the door to the black lacquered carriage as Slade handed Lady Bella onto the lush black leather seating. He helped her maid onto the opposite seat. Taking a seat next to Bella, the scent of rosewater reached his nose and stirred his senses. She was so close he wanted to reach out and touch her but resisted while Mary was watching.
The carriage lurched forward and moved in the direction of the park. Within minutes, the motion of the vehicle, the blankets covering their laps, and the warming brick by her feet seemed to lure Mary to sleep. Biting back a laugh, he wondered if she realized the duties of a chaperone involved staying awake. The two women seemed to be more friends than mistress and maid. A moment later, he noticed Mary’s head slumping over the stitchery she had taken with her. He doubted more than a few stitches were completed.
Feeling a little more at ease, he reached out and picked up Bella’s gloved hand, turning it over and slowly massaging his thumb in circles on her wrist. He felt her tense beneath his touch and wanted more.
A soft snore sounded from across the carriage and Mary’s head slumped a little more. Bella snorted, and he bit his tongue, unwilling to wake the sleeping chaperone. Slowly, he leaned closer to Bella and covered her lips with his, gently kissing her. Warming to the kiss, he teased her lips with the tip of his tongue. She took a breath, and he pressed harder, stealing into her mouth with his tongue. His breath heated and he pulled her towards him, compelled by a need to get close to her with only wordless communication between them.
“I have thought of little else but kissing you, Bella,” he whispered.
“If I am honest, you have occupied my thoughts as well, Slade.” Bella’s gaze locking with his, her violet eyes sparkling.
“If we are smart, we will separate and not risk waking your maid,” he said, touching her chin gently. “But I do not want to be smart. I want to kiss you.”
Without waiting for her reply, he covered her lips again, this time with more force, losing himself in the essence of her.
Slade could not help himself—hoping that their luck would hold. Pulling her closer, he kissed her lips and slowly moved his lips down her neck. A soft snore from across the carriage gave him confidence to lower his lips to the top of her décolleté, where he slowly lolled his tongue along the edge, feeling her body quicken beneath his touch. Her breath increased and he covered her mouth with his. After what seemed long minutes, he pushed back, realizing he was slowly reaching a point of no return—something that could not happen in a carriage with a sleeping chaperone and not with his beautiful Bella. He wanted more for her and would not compromise her.
“I cannot believe Mary is sleeping . . . again,” she said, giggling softly and looking into his eyes.
Both struggled to control their breathing and calm it to a normal rhythm before Mary awoke. A pothole in the road jerked the coach and a with a short snore, Mary woke.
“I do not think they have ever widened the Serpentine,” Slade said, thinking quickly and speaking as if responding to a question Bella had asked, in an effort not to embarrass the maid. From the corner of his eye, he caught her look of horror as she realized she had fallen asleep. Bella quickly caught on to what he was doing and responded.
“How many bridges are there in the park to cross the Serpentine?” she asked.
“’Tis a good question, but I do not know the answer. We can attempt to count them,” he teased, enjoying the scent of her hair.”
Mary seemed to relax as their conversation progressed. “Do they permit swimming in the Serpentine, Your Grace?” she asked.
“I believe there are areas for boating, but not swimming—at least not on purpose, although there have been many unfortunate drownings.” He glanced out the window. “We are almost in Berkeley Square,” he murmured.”
“I believe I am ready for the ice, Your Grace,” Bella said, looking at him meaningfully. “The warming brick kept me toasty in here,” she added. He noticed a slight quiver to her chin.
The carriage stopped in front of the tea shop. “Let us see what Gunter’s has for their latest flavored ices,” Slade suggested, opening the door, and helping the women from the carriage.
“Mmm. It smells delightful in here,” commented Bella as they entered the shop. “I would like the cinnamon flavor and Mary asked for her favorite, jasmine rose.”
Slade brought the ices to the table. “I have never been in Gunter’s this close to Christmas,” he observed, sitting down and enjoying a taste of his clove-flavored ice. “This place is usually much busier,” he said with a laugh.
“It is nice to find a seat, Your Grace,” Mary remarked in between spoonfuls of her lavender-colored ice.
The small party finished their ices and walked around to the surrounding shops, enjoying some decorations out for the Christmastide holidays, eventually making their way back to the carriage for the ride back.
As they rode through the park, Slade noticed Mary staring out the window. He followed her gaze and saw a small boy struggling with a dark-headed man in a ragged coat and briefly wondered if it was the boy’s father. “He glanced at Bella, who had turned her attention to the window.”
“Mary, what is wrong? Do you see something?” Bella asked gently.
“I am not sure, milady,” Mary said, shakily.
Slade looked from Bella to Mary. “What do I not know? There is something . . .”
Bella cleared her throat. “When Mary was young, she was struggling against a man in the park. My governess at the time put me in the carriage, and with the footman, rescued her. The man chased the carriage and finally stopped. I remember watching him from the back window of the carriage. He raised his fist and said words, but we could not hear. There were lots of people around, but Mrs. Shires was the only one that helped Mary.”
