Chapter 16
An experiment! Could he be any less romantic? Anne stared at the man as if he were daft. Perhaps that was the problem, and he was a little touched in the head.
Still, she did enjoy his kisses.
“Very well. I should like to see the observation tower, so if that is what’s required for us to proceed.” Squeezing her eyes closed, she lifted her chin and pursed her lips, only to be met with a soft chuckle.
“You look like you’re preparing to kiss a frog.”
She peeked out of one eye. “Maybe I am.”
“Would a frog kiss you like this?” In one fluid motion, he pulled her into his arms. Soft, slow, and deep, the kiss melted into another and another in endless waves of seduction.
Once again, her head began to spin, and she clutched his arms for support.
Not a fluke.
At least she hadn’t said that aloud since her lips were currently busy.
Lost in the sensations as if she had been parched for days, Anne gave in to the moment. A thrum of awareness pulsed through every part of her—skin, scalp, the palms of her hands.
Evergreen needles brushed against the fabric of her gown as Colin pressed her back against the hedges.
His lips tasted sweet with a hint of spice from his breakfast. Birdsong from a song thrush serenaded them while a great spotted woodpecker kept beat with a rat-a-tat-tat.
Bergamot and shaving soap teased her nostrils and competed with the slightly sweet, resinous scent of the crushed yew branches.
Pressure from his lips increased, and his hand around her waist slid upward and brushed the underside of her breast. Images of what their married life promised flashed in her mind, and her face heated remembering the pictures in the book Alice kept hidden that Anne had discovered one boring winter day.
Too soon for her liking, Colin broke the kiss.
“You’re flushed.” He gazed at her, the concern shining in his eyes tempered with a knowing amusement.
“These hedges don’t allow for a breeze,” she lied.
Which he apparently saw through. Damn him. He grasped her hand. “Off to the tower then. If there is a breeze to be found, one will be there.”
As he led her through the winding paths of the maze, her thoughts returned to his estate. Blackthorne Manor certainly didn’t sound cheerful.
“Since it will soon become my home, tell me about your estate. Why does it have such a frightening sounding name?”
“It’s named after my ancestor who first bore the title Marquess of Stratford. Legend has it he was known as the Black Knight and was awarded the title for service to the Crown. The crest on his shield—the Stratford crest—was a leafless tree entwined in thorns.”
She gave a little shudder. “Sounds dreadful. The crest, that is. I’m sure your estate is lovely.” At least she hoped so.
He gave her hand a squeeze. “Our estate. It’s one of the larger holdings of the entire Stratford estate. When I married, father gave it to me as a wedding gift. And one day, when our son marries, he will live there.”
Son? They weren’t even married yet. “You sound sure of yourself that we shall have a son.”
He tilted his head as if considering her statement. “Perhaps hopeful rather than certain.”
“But what is Blackthorne like? Does it have hidden passageways and dark towers?”
He laughed, and for a moment, Anne envisioned him as a menacing villain, cackling as he locked her in one of the decrepit tower rooms. “You have a vivid imagination. There are no towers. However, there are hidden passageways.”
I knew it.
Halting, he turned toward her. “You knew it? Then why did you ask? And how did you know?”
Oh, dear. She had said that aloud. “I only meant that the name conjures such images.”
“Hmm,” he said leading them forward. “As I said, vivid imagination. However, if Blackthorne doesn’t meet with your approval, you will have a generous allowance and free rein to redecorate. But I draw the line at my study. That shall remain untouched.”
As they turned the corner, the observation tower loomed before them as if it had materialized from thin air. Anne craned her neck. “Is it safe?”
“Perfectly.” He led the way up a narrow flight of steps to the covered deck on top.
Unencumbered by the hedges or the tree line, Burwood’s estate stretched before them. Lush, newly scythed lawns, the gardens they’d recently explored, miles of dense trees, the winding road leading to the grand home presented an idyllic scene.
A gentle breeze brushed against her face as she leaned against the railing. She gasped when she chanced a glance below. Dizzy from the height, she stumbled.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist, and for a moment, she feared he would pick her up and throw her over. Instead, he tugged her back against his body and nestled his face into the crook of her neck.
A shiver of pleasure raced down her spine as she allowed her weight to sink into the cradle of his arms.
“Cold?” he whispered, his breath soft against the delicate skin of her face.
She shook her head. In fact, the warmth she experienced when they kissed returned in full force. How did the man manage to generate such heat in her?
His lips found the curve of her neck, lingered a moment, then coasted upward until his tongue found the soft lobe of her ear. For a woman who had never been kissed at the venerable age of twenty-six, thanks to Colin, Anne had more than compensated for it in the past two days.
From her ear, he traced another path of kisses across her jaw and back down her neck, settling on an exposed part of her shoulder. With a gentle tug, he pulled the neckline of her gown down and continued his kisses.
Worry about haunted manors vanished as she closed her eyes and delighted in the sensations flooding her.
So delighted in fact, she failed to hear the footsteps ascending the steps.
“I beg your pardon,” the masculine voice said.
Again! Was nowhere safe from prying eyes?
Colin bolted away from her, and she turned to find Victor Pratt at the top of the stairway.
Arms laden with a canvas, a box of supplies, and an easel tucked under his arm, Victor stepped forward. “I had no idea anyone was up here. Juliana and I have enjoyed this exact spot, and I hoped to paint it for her.” A hint of a smile flitted across his lips. "But I can return later.”
“Not necessary,” Colin said. “We should leave as we have a wedding to plan. I believe Mrs. Merrick wanted your measurements for a gown, Anne.”
Did she? Anne’s head was so muddled she wasn’t sure if that was true or an excuse Colin provided to Victor. Although Mrs. Merrick did say something about a gown at supper the night before.
And as Colin led her back down the narrow staircase, she had a strange sensation that Victor had saved her from something more compromising than being locked in a closet with Colin.
At the foot of the staircase, he righted the neckline of her gown. “Can’t go back with you looking like this.”
“Like what?”
His fingers lingered on her shoulder, and those lovely green eyes of his smoldered. He leaned close and whispered, “Like you’ve been ravished.”
“Do you think Mr. Pratt will say something?”
With a shrug, he shook his head. “I doubt it. But we can’t have your brother see you like that. We’re not married yet.” His chuckle, deep and delicious, brushed against her skin, creating more gooseflesh in its wake.
She needed to change the subject and get her mind off kissing. “Is it true about Mrs. Merrick?”
“Yes. I believe she plans to go to town and purchase the material and wishes you to accompany her.”
They had yet to make their way out of the maze, and Colin turned toward her. “But before we go, I don’t think Pratt can see us from here, and I still want to explore that freckle.”
Several minutes later, once Colin had finished his exploration, Anne started to believe that marriage to Lord Grump wasn’t such a horrible prospect.
After escorting Anne back to the house, Colin excused himself to speak with Honoria regarding the wedding plans should the archbishop approve the special license.
Colin had little doubt his request would be approved. Among his other talents, writing a persuasive argument was one of his greatest. In fact, he had begun pursuing an MP position in Commons, hoping it would prepare him for the day when he’d take his place in Lords.
Yet, he was in no hurry to take his father’s place, especially given the fact he would only do so at his father’s death.
A thread of worry seeped in that that rueful day might be closer than he’d hoped.
His father had confessed stomach complaints in passing but had insisted it was simply indigestion.
Colin made a mental note to have Ashton examine him prior to the wedding, then proceeded to check each room for his sister.
He found her with the other ladies in the morning room. “Forgive the intrusion, ladies. Might I have a few words with the duchess regarding wedding plans?”
Always mindful of others’ opinions and concerns, Honoria exchanged a glance with her friends, then gave him a broad smile. “We were actually discussing exactly that. Everyone wishes to help, if that is agreeable with you?”
“Oh, do allow us to assist, Lord Manning,” Juliana said. “Many hands make light work.”
“It would make organizing all the details more efficient,” Lady Montgomery said, a pencil poised above the page of a notebook.
And although he didn’t relish the idea of women he barely knew involved in such a personal part of his life, Colin appreciated efficiency. “Very well.” He gazed around the room for a place to sit. With every available seat occupied, he took up a post at the fireplace mantle.
Mrs. Merrick rose from a comfortable wingback chair. “Please sit here, sir. Since you’ve returned from your walk with Miss Weatherby, perhaps she would care to accompany me to town after I take her measurements for her gown.”