“I promise to be as open about my relationships as you were with Izabella.” A smug smile appeared on her face. Infuriated, he glared at his daughter, not appreciating her impudence in the least.
“I’m serious. I treasure the thought of spending time with a young man who you are seriously interested in. I will invite him into our home for an opportunity to get well acquainted with our family.”
Hope shrugged her shoulders and walked up the steps. Stewart grumbled, turned and walked into the parlour. What if I don’t approve of the gentleman Hope wishes to marry? Heaven help me. Natasha, help me!
Chapter Twenty-Six
Having heard of a unique game from suppliers in the city, Greg retrieved the bushel baskets normally used for harvesting from the shed. One basket was placed at either end of the water with the goal of tossing the ball into the opposing team’s basket. Hope, Vicki, and Izabella were all very competitive. The teams were drawn up setting the men against the women. The game began in a spirited manner. Stewart swam toward the opposing basket, guiding the ball at his side, and Izabella approached to guard.
“I’m not allowing you past me. I’m willing to do anything to stop that from happening.”
“Anything?” he questioned, teasing her. He attempted to pass her. Izabella’s lips grazed the back of his neck. Chills raced down his spine. He froze. She reached in front and tossed the ball toward Hope. The women cheered when his daughter scored.
“Stewart,” Greg groaned. “Focus.”
“Would you have reacted differently?” he shot back, still surprised by the seductive kiss.
“I would have surprised her,” Greg responded without a second thought. “I would have turned and kissed Vicki. She would have lost her focus, and I would have scored.”
“Interesting strategy.”
The game continued. With his daughter in possession of the ball, Stewart swam toward Hope. She looked at Vicki. Preparing to toss the ball, Greg extended his arms for the catch. She tossed it to Izabella. Two long arm strokes and Stewart was at Izabella’s side. She turned her back to him. Thinking of Greg’s comment, Stewart reached for her free hand. He kissed her wrist as he manoeuvred his body even closer. Keeping an eye on her face, Izabella winked at Hope. Does she lack the coordination to toss the ball while keeping her head above the surface of the water?
“If you feel this is inappropriate, tell me to stop,” he whispered. His kisses moved up, reached her elbow and continued to her upper arm. His lips nuzzled her shoulder. She groaned.
“Stewart, your family is present.” She moaned softly.
I’m well aware of that. “Uh huh,” he whispered, pleased she had not indicated any displeasure with his actions.
He lifted her short ponytail and kissed the back of her neck, and then around her ears. She squirmed.
“This is positively sinful,” she protested weakly.
The original intent was to steal the ball and score, but suddenly, the game didn’t concern Stewart. After months of a gentle kiss on the lips, he relished the seduction.
“Kiss her, Poppa.”
Hope’s voice startled him, but his attention never wavered. Izabella turned her body around and gazed into his eyes. Her expression was oddly vulnerable. Her eyes seemed to shimmer while drops of water clung to her lashes. “Kiss me, Stewart,” Izabella whispered.
Pleased to oblige, Stewart stood in the chest deep water. Placing his hands on her cheeks, he closed his eyes and kissed her. Time stood still. The world around them ceased to exist. For the first time in years Natasha was not foremost in his thoughts.
“The game cannot continue under these conditions,” Greg teased. “The competitive edge has been lost. I shall kiss the competition as well.”
Hearing Greg’s voice, Stewart pulled back from the kiss just in time to witness Greg kiss Hope’s cheek. Then he embraced his wife. Stewart turned his attention back to Izabella and kissed her again.
“Poppa.”
Hope’s voice penetrated the state of bliss he was lost in.
“Do you require lessons in romance from Uncle Greg?”
With his lips locked on Izabella’s, Stewart opened his eyes. Humiliation flooded him, ruining the fragile bubble of happiness. Izabella laughed. Stewart threw his head back to look into the starlit sky.
“I have encouraged her to speak her mind, but there are days.”
Izabella’s laughter intensified.
He turned and looked at his daughter. “You’ll regret that comment someday. I’ll embarrass you when you least expect it.” He winked. Hope couldn’t stop giggling.
“Are you able?” Izabella whispered quietly, so softly his family couldn’t hear. He barely heard her.
“Able?”
“To improve upon your kisses?”
At a loss for words, Stewart simply smiled. “Not in this location,” he responded in an equally soft whisper.
She pulled back from the embrace. “It’s time I change and depart for home.”
Getting out of the water, the party trooped into the house to change. Stewart dressed quickly and went to harness the horse to take Izabella home.
“I wasn’t expecting you to request a kiss this evening,” Stewart admitted when they reached her home. He extended his hand to assist her down from the buggy.
“I wasn’t expecting you to flirt. I was shocked you kissed me in the presence of your family.”
Holding her hand, he walked to the main entrance of her home. Happiness was a bright bubble in his chest. He couldn’t keep from smiling. “You must consider your words before making a request. I may be tempted to please you.”
She unlocked the door. Stewart followed her inside.
“It must depend upon my request. Perhaps my second comment was too forward, hmm, or perhaps too vague. I’m not certain.”
“I would prefer to have our first real kiss occur in private. I expected you would want the same.”
A sly smile flickered across her face. She glanced around the empty foyer. “I believe we are alone,” she observed. “I don’t see your sister, or daughter, or Greg. Oh my goodness, after five months of courting, there is a possibility…,” she stopped speaking.
“Are you hinting I should kiss you?” he asked, teasing her.
“Nay. I’m too much a lady to be so forward.”
Stewart chuckled, appreciating her wit. Without a doubt in his mind, he was falling in love with her. “As a blunt man, I wish to inform you, I have waited a long time for this moment.”
“Months,” she reminded him.
Holding her gaze, Stewart placed one hand behind her head and the other on her back. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. His heart pounded. Although it began tender and gentle, within seconds it became more passionate than he intended. A deep, hungry kiss. Ashamed, he pulled back.
“My apologies,” he whispered, sure she would never allow him another opportunity to kiss her. “We agreed to proceed slowly. I’m capable of being a gentleman.”
“Don’t apologize. I would have been disappointed if it lacked passion. A spark.”
“You’re beautiful,” Stewart whispered softly.
Izabella went silent for a moment. “Pardon?” she finally whispered.
Stewart placed his hand on the back of her neck and slowly moved his fingers up into her hair.
“You heard me,” he replied. “You are beautiful.” He pulled her close, and Izabella returned his passionate kiss with such intensity Stewart wished it would last forever. When they finally parted, he looped his hands behind her back and let his gaze rove over her face. “You’re beautiful,” he repeated. “Surely, Charles must have spoken that phrase regularly.”
“The word was used, but not regularly. He was not as forthcoming with his emotions. I never expected to hear the phrase from your lips. Both Natasha and Jane were exceptionally beautiful.”
Silent for a moment, Stewart searched for the appropriate words. When he first made her acquain
tance, he had not appreciated Izabella’s beauty, but after spending time with her, his opinion had changed. Somehow, he had to find the words to explain that.
“Natasha was blessed with a beautiful shell, features that captivated my eyes and heart. She possessed an inner strength that amazed me. Jane was attractive, but there was no depth of attraction between us. I ended the relationship the evening she requested a kiss. I have never regretted that decision. I feared tarnishing the beautiful memories I shared with Natasha. As I’ve stated before, you have mesmerizing green eyes, a warm smile, and an infectious laugh, but it’s your personality and your wit that bring your beauty to the surface. Every time I look at you, that beauty captivates my heart.” Placing her hand over his heart, he continued. “My heart has been closed for so many years I didn’t believe it possible to allow another woman in. God brought Natasha into my life, and gave us a beautiful child. After her death, I found contentment in that. After years of not knowing what I was waiting for, God brought you into my life, and Natasha gave her approval. I have thanked them in prayer each night since we first met.”
Izabella’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears before one spilled over and ran down her cheek.
“I never want to see tears,” he warned. “I have tasted salty kisses and prefer beautiful smiles. Sunshine and wildflowers.”
“I take great pleasure from our soft kisses, but I admit I have missed the passion,” she confessed.
Stewart wished to move from the foyer. In his mind it was a place of greeting and bidding goodnight. He had no intention of returning home. A quick glance revealed her parlour, appropriate for what he had in mind. “It may be wise to consider relocating to a room that will be more comfortable.”
Her face flushed. She lowered her head and stared at the floor. “My apologies, but I cannot lie with you. Not at this time. I am just not ready to take that step.”
Heat consumed his being. Stewart tilted his head down and stared at the floor. He wanted to kiss her again, but he hadn’t meant for her to think he wanted to take the relationship any farther than that. He just wasn’t ready for that big a commitment yet.
“In my attempt to be subtle, you have misunderstood me. I suggested adjourning to the parlour to talk and perhaps share another intimate kiss. I think it would be best if I return home.”
Izabella covered her face with her hands. “I’m ashamed to have assumed you were suggesting more.”
He pulled her hands from her face, placed his forefinger under her chin, and tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “There is no need. I like kissing you, and that is enough for both of us at this point in our relationship, I think.”
He gave Izabella a gentle kiss, said goodnight, and left.
* * *
“That will be a day Stewart won’t forget. Embarrassed, not once, but twice.”
“I disagree, love,” Will informed her. “Women sit and stew over these things. As a fellow guy, it is gone and forgotten. All’s well that ends well. He finally kissed her, and obviously it was passionate. Get-your-motors-running, passionate. You’re the one that has some wacky dreams. Events bug you enough that you compile all the information together and create one hell of a dream. I have something positive you can wrap your mind around. I can sense a wedding scene in the near future between Stewart and Izabella. Two successful people should make for one hell of a celebration.”
Keeghan looked toward Alexander, but he never commented. There was no change in his facial expression to guide them.
“Back to the story, please,” she requested.
* * *
Once in his bedroom, Stewart removed his journal and reading glasses from his night stand, debating on the words to write.
“Poppa?”
Hope interrupted his reverie.
“Come in. You must sit in your room listening for me to return so you can question me,” he teased. “I haven’t been home for more than three minutes.”
“I heard the door squeak,” she admitted, entering the room. She sat on the edge of his double bed, holding a shawl over her dressing gown.
“Yes. I must make a note of that and repair it.”
“You appear happy with Izabella,” Hope remarked. “You no longer appear to be simply friends.”
Not wishing to discuss Izabella, he avoided eye contact with his daughter. Hope had been devastated when he ended his relationship with Jane. He couldn’t guarantee Izabella would remain in his life forever.
“Good friends,” he responded casually.
“Seeing you together today, I think you have progressed beyond friendship. You must be willing to admit that.”
“I’m not willing to admit any such thing.”
“You’re in love with her, Poppa. When you kiss her, do you feel something wonderful? In the diary Momma described your first kiss as a ‘wow.’”
His own influence brought forth Hope’s blunt comments. With her momma’s reserved nature, such discussions would never have taken place, at least not in his hearing. Natasha, this is a discussion you should be having with our daughter. His current relationship was not up for discussion. Hope lacked the maturity to understand how awkward it was for him to speak of such personal matters. “Hope Donovan. That’s personal.”
“You said kissing Momma was wonderful,” she reminded him. “The kiss I witnessed at the pond did not appear to be so monumental. Are you planning to end your acquaintance?” she asked.
He stared at the ceiling, regretting kissing Izabella in Hope’s presence. What was I thinking not to expect this? If only I could turn back the clock. “I can’t promise Izabella will remain in my life forever, but I do have strong feelings for her that I haven’t experienced for anyone in a very long time. I also wish to inform you I did like this evening’s kiss in the pond very much, regardless of your thoughts. We didn’t appreciate the interruption.”
Hope’s face lit up with her smile. “After so many years alone, Izabella is entering your heart.”
“My love for you and your momma encompass a large portion of my heart.”
“But there is room for Izabella. She’s embedding herself into the crevices.”
Hope was no longer his little girl, but a young woman who understood things perhaps better than he did sometimes.
“You’ve grown so quickly. I recall holding back the tears as I walked you to school for the first time.”
He hugged her and kissed her forehead.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Izabella shared many evening meals with Stewart and his family. After taking Izabella home, Stewart locked the door and wandered up the steps. Hope was lying in her bed, reading. He tapped on her open door and entered.
“Izabella and I were discussing you this evening,” he informed her. He sat on the edge of her bed.
“What was said?”
“I struggle to see you as anything but my little girl. Izabella sees a young woman that will eventually leave my home. I cannot imagine my life without you under my roof, but I know eventually you’ll move on without me.”
“You’ll remain in my life always,” she assured him. “Speaking of my future, I have done a great deal of thinking. I wish to apply to Picton University. After reading the diary, I wish to attend the same school as you and Momma.”
Teasing, Stewart raised his eyebrows. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“You and Momma were committed before attending university.” She giggled. “I’m yet to have a serious beau.”
“I question the truth of that comment,” he stated, mocking her. “Is there a young man I’m yet to become acquainted with?”
“Nay,” Hope responded with a slight chuckle. “I fear I’d be missed if I was absent from the table too often.”
“I don’t recall missing a meal,” he responded, pretending to doubt her. His tone turned serious. “You’ve been courted by some nice young men. I fear you haven’t given them a chance.”
Hope turned her attention to the novel resting on her l
ap. He touched a raw nerve.
“I have male friends,” she moaned. “I simply lack the desire for any of them to become a beau.” She looked him in the eye. “You ended your relationship with Jane knowing her fondness for you. You’re yet to ask Izabella to be your wife.”
“Hope, don’t change the subject,” he warned.
“Both you and Momma felt a deep emotional bond the day you became acquainted. Aunt Vicki knew the moment she looked into Uncle Greg’s eyes that they would marry.
“Nana and Papa built a beautiful friendship that developed into love. That bond remains to this day.”
“Nana knew the day she looked into Papa’s eyes. They twinkled as yours do, and she was smitten.”
Hope expected perfection, something he knew did not exist.
“I didn’t see a potential relationship with Izabella when our eyes first met, yet given time…,” he paused. It was a bad example. One he would regret. “We’re still courting. I beg of you, Hope. You must allow your friends the opportunity to relax in your company. I wish to see you happy.”
Hope crawled out of bed, walked to her desk, and removed the portrait of Stewart and Natasha on their wedding day. She returned to bed and pulled the blankets up.
“It would please me if you offered your hand in marriage to Izabella. It would also please Momma,” she reminded him.
“Neither of us is ready for that yet, Hope. We both require time to get used to the idea of a closer relationship.”
“Poppa,” Hope groaned.
“I promise. I shall keep your words in my mind if you do the same with mine.”
She sighed. “I wish to change the subject. I’d like to discuss my education. Like momma, I wish to study English Literature and History. Do we have access to the funds to enable me to do so?”
Stewart thought of the trust fund Natasha had insisted upon years ago. It wasn’t necessary to use the money from Natasha’s family. He was more than capable of paying for her education. She would be informed of the trust fund’s existence once she graduated with a degree.
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