CHAPTER 12
“Explain to me again why I am not only awake at this ungodly hour, but I am out of doors with pink and white frothy creatures that I do believe one might call ladies.”
Jacob yawned before answering Ian, “Some of the attendees are not yet out.”
Ian frowned, “Out of what—puberty? —that is apparent. They should not be allowed in public until their unfortunate,” he made a circular motion with his hands near his face, “complexion issues, resolve.”
Ryan sighed, “We haven’t hidden you away. Much to my sad regret.”
“I have a perfect countenance!” Ian was indignant.
Ryan glanced his brother’s way, “Pity your personality isn’t a matched set.”
Jacob raised his finger to mark and invisible scoreboard.
This action from Jacob seemed to cause Ian even greater alarm, for he turned to Jacob and complained, “You are giving him a point for that? It wasn’t even that good a quip!”
“Oh, face it, little brother,” Ryan smiled as Ian scowled at him. His perfect complexion brought into a dismal pout. “There are winners and losers in this world.”
“And tell me, Mr. Stanford, would you be one of the winners?”
Perhaps it was the uneven grass of Lady Well’s front lawn. Or the fact that Ryan had not slept well the night before. He had tossed and turned much of the evening reliving his meeting of the sisters in the park.
Perhaps it was the unexpected sound of Lillian’s voice when he was speaking so informally with his brothers. He hadn’t expected to run into her. He had given up hope of her attending the brunch when she wasn’t there at the start.
At the first sound of her voice, he knew who it was, of course, he did.
He had to see her. Whipping around, Ryan searched for her face. Was she angry with him? Was she enjoying herself?
He needed to see her eyes so that he could tell what she was feeling.
What was wrong with his damn boots? They were in the way!
And then all of the sudden the ground was jumping up at him, and he reached to catch himself.
He heard her call his name and masculine laughter—stupid brothers.
Lillian dropped beside him her small hands right above his large frame. It would be very improper to touch him, but she was terribly concerned about him. After all, it was her fault that he fell. She was the reason that he was startled in the first place.
“Mr. Stanford,” She began, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I am so awfully sorry. I misspoke and then you fell, and I couldn’t reach you in time. I feel so badly about everything, and well I really do not know what else to say.”
Ryan could see that his brothers were doing a mighty fine job blocking onlookers from seeing too much. He decided then and there to forgive their trespasses.
He leaned forward so that she was a hair’s breadth away. He smiled that slow, wicked smile that caused Lilly’s bones to melt and her mind to shut down.
“Lilly,” he whispered against her lips.
“Mr. Stanford,” she replied breathlessly.
“My name is Ryan,” he said slowly.
Lilly knew that a young woman of quality did not call a man by his first name, not unless it was her brother or her intended. “It isn’t proper, Mr. Stanford.”
“What about when you are mine, Lilly?” Ryan asked his lips so close to her cheek but not quite touching.
“I do not understand your meaning,” Lilly was not one of those ladies that had many beaus. She didn’t play games nor did she flaunt assets she didn’t have.
Ryan looked at her in confusion, “Lilly, I want you for my wife. Surely, after all of these weeks, you know that.”
Lilly’s cheeks pinked, “Mr. Stanford, maybe in America the ladies understand your courting techniques. But in London, we do it the old-fashioned way.”
Feeling braver than she ever had before in her life Lilly grabbed Ryan’s face and planted a big wet kiss on his mouth. It was fast and quick but most of all it was glorious.
She was up and out of there in seconds. Racing away before Ryan could get himself together and go after her.
“Did you see that?” Ian was nudging Jacob.
“Bloody hell,” Ryan got to his feet.
“Yeah,” Jacob laughed, “I saw it.”
“He was right all along, the Blighter!” Ian groused. “How did he know?”
“What the actual hell just happened?” Ryan shook his head.
Jacob—still grinning— put his arm around Ryan, “Let’s get you home, Ry. You have grass stains and a cock stand. It’s not a good look for brunch.”
“And she bloody well can’t dance!” Ian was still carrying on.
“SHUT-UP IAN!” the brother’s called out as they left Lady Wells rather lovely brunch.
Lillian watched the Stanford brothers go from the awning on the south lawn.
Juliana who had also witnessed the groundbreaking kiss couldn’t wait to find out what had brought about this significant change in character in her younger sister.
“You like him!” Jules danced around. “I knew it!”
Lilly was still blushing. She could not believe what had possessed her to press her lips to his. It had been transcendent. Nothing in her life had ever been as incredible as that moment in time.
She could not believe that she had taken such a chance. And to do so in company, that was beyond anything Jules could describe.
“Who are you? And what have you done with my sister? Remember all those things you said to me about chasing the Duke? And now you are, well, you know what you are about I suppose.”
It wouldn’t do for Jules to even repeat that Lilly had kissed Ryan even though she wanted to just for shock value.
Lillian wanted to talk about it as well. There was a secret part of her that was thrilled she had been so brave. Lilly didn’t know what it was about the American that stirred her to new heights, but she liked who she was when she was with him.
And he liked her.
Ryan wanted her. He wanted to marry her. All those heated looks and wicked smiled were because he saw something more. He saw her when no one saw her.
“Yes, Jules—I like him.”