Delilah had been dreaming up ways to get to Nathaniel for the past couple of days. At Lady Beauregard’s ball, she'd been unable to dance with him again. He had seemed far too preoccupied, and she'd heard that he was courting Lady Jane.
But she certainly had not expected her good luck at seeing him at Kew Gardens, on the path with none other than Lady Jane herself. Strong jealousy came over her again in a flash, but she shoved it down. It would not do her any good. She could not focus on her plans right now. She paused in front of him, and he looked just as stiff and unpleasant as usual. But it made her smile. In a matter of weeks, he would be hers again.
“Lord Balwood, Lady Jane,” Delilah said with a low curtsy. “Lady Jane, let me introduce my parents, Lord and Lady Mortimer.”
“Very nice to meet you,” Lady Jane said, curtsy low, looking a little stiff and tense herself.
“And you, Lady Jane,” her mother said with a slight smile.
Her mother and father were doing their best to be unkind, at least a little to Lord Balwood. But there was not a soul in the ton who would be unkind to Lady Jane. With her wealth, she wouldlikely marry a duke or even higher. Then she would be titled in the highest positions in society.
But she will not marry my duke.
“Are you enjoying the gardens, Lord Balwood?” Delilah asked. “I did not realize you were interested in plants.”
“I am interested in many things lately, Lady Delilah,” Nathaniel said.
He turned to look at Lady Jane, a little smile on his face. And when he returned his gaze to Delilah, the smile faded.
If only she could get him alone again! If only she could remind him of the way her kiss made him feel.
“Well, we should be going,” Nathaniel said, holding out an arm for Lady Jane. “It was pleasant to see you all again.” He bowed low, and then, before Delilah could think of any way to stop him, they turned away, and walked down the path. Delilah's eyes following them all the while.
“Well, look at that Delilah,” her mother said in a tone that Delilah knew all so well. “That could have been you there, walking along with your husband at Kew Gardens.
“But instead, you decided to take matters into your own hands,” her father told her, and Delilah closed her eyes with a sigh.
She would show them and soon enough.
You will see, Nathaniel. You will see. I will be all you want.
***
Nathaniel felt cold all over. He wasn't sure why seeing Delilah again put his back up, for it was not he who had been in the wrong in their last time together. And yet the look and Delilah's eye discomforted him. It was not unlike Lord Claridge’s strange look when he asked Nathaniel about his intentions for Jane.
“You know Lady Delilah?” Jane asked. “You seem acquainted.”
“Yes, acquainted,” he said. And then, because he had other lies to keep, he decided to tell her at least part of the truth in this particular case. “We were courting two years ago. But it was not a good match in the end.”
“I see. I'm sorry about that.”
Her face was kind, but Nathaniel didn't want her to be kind. He wanted her to ask him the truth. Sometimes he wished that shewould ask him if he really cared about her money, then the truth would come spilling out, and then he would no longer have to feel the ache and guilt mixed with the desire and affection that he had for her. He would no longer have to feel like he is a villain.
“It is no matter. It was a long time ago.” After a quick breath, he decided to change the subject. “I wonder if you've received my mother's invitation. It will soon be my sister's birthday, and my mother thought that the party could be at the country estate. It's not far from London, and in truth, there is far more space for far more guests. We do hope you all can come.”
“But of course,” she said. “How delightful. I'm certain that my aunt and uncle would love to come.”
“Wonderful,” he said, his hand itching to touch her. “I hope that you will save me a dance or two, perhaps.”
He was glad to see her blushing cheeks, and she smiled at him. “Two dances might be rather bold, but I will certainly save you one.
“Excellent. Then I look forward to it.” He lowered his voice. “Perhaps we also might take the chance to look at the stars together.”
They turned a corner on the garden path, and it was a little more isolated. The plants were taller, and it dimmed the other sounds in the greenhouse. He leaned in close, his lips slightly brushingagainst her ear. She shivered against his touch, but she did not move away. His blood was rushing in his own ears, and it was a great risk to lean as close as he was, but he could not help it.
“There will be ever so many opportunities at the country estate to take a look at the stars. So many shadowy corners, so many dark garden paths. Would you like that?”
Say yes.
