Stepping toward the lake, Thea asked, “Do you remember that time when we played with sticks, pretending they were swords?”
“Of course,” Liam replied easily. “You hit me hard enough I could not use my wrist for a week.”
Thea gaped at him, her slackened jaw clear even in the dark. “I never did!”
“You did so. It was black and blue for a month. My mother wrapped it in linen, and warned me to be careful with you, as you were a girl and more delicate.”
“I do not remember that, Liam. I am so sorry.”
He laughed. “We were children. And anyway, your mother gave you a scolding for playing so rough. I remember you cried.”
“Why is it I cannot remember these things?”
“It does not matter, Thea. Events in our lives come and go, some things we can never forget, some we wish wecouldforget.”
Thea smiled slyly. “I do remember one thing, Liam.”
“What would that be?”
“I remember how you stole that apple pie from the kitchen, and you and Freddie ate it behind the stable. Your mother whipped you for that one.”
He groaned. “See? I told you that there are some things that should be forgotten. Your brother put me up to it, you know.”
Thea kicked at a dead log. “Yes, he did have a cruel streak sometimes. He wanted you to do it as you were a commoner. That way, you would be punished and not him.”
“He still does not care much for commoners to this day.”
“That makes him insensitive, Liam, not bad.”
“I am not complaining, Thea, believe me.” Liam gazed up at the moon shining through the trees and onto the still waters of the lake. “He is not a bad lord.”
“Listen, Liam.” Thea turned toward him. “I told Freddie that I will not go to London. But if he makes me, I want to make sure you are permitted to attend me.”
“You mean that?”
“Of course, silly. I want to, you know, see you.”
“I apologize,” he said, “I am just shocked that you are, well, blunt.”
She laughed. “That is me – Miss Blunt.”
“Yes, you always did speak your mind, even when you were little.”
“My mother tried so hard to teach me proper decorum, to never say the first thing that sprang into my head.”
“I can see it failed.”
Standing close in front of Thea, Liam gazed down into her lovely eyes. At this distance, even with little light, he saw her every feature. He forced his hand to remain at his side and not stroke his fingers down her cheek. Her lips, he wanted to kiss those lips so very much – and dared not. Breathing in her faint lavender odor made him want to hold her in his arms, but he knew he could not.
“Will I see you tomorrow night?” he whispered.
“Unless you have been struck blind.”
The jaunty words were spoken in her hushed voice, as though, she too, craved to kiss him, to hold him close. Her warm breath stirred the ends of his hair that fell to his collar and tickled his throat. Growing frustrated, he became angry that he could not touch her, as she had been born into the nobility, while he was nothing but a Scottish commoner.
“I – I must go, Liam,” she said, her voice barely audible. “Do not look at me, keep your stone face on.”
“I will,” he breathed.
