His face reddened at the cheeks and his throat moved as he swallowed. “I’ve no wish to crowd you.”
“You wouldn’t be.” She patted the coat. “Please.”
He smiled. “Who am I to say no to a sweet request from a beautiful lady?” He gingerly lowered himself down next to her. His shoulder brushed hers.
Sweet warmth passed from him to her, causing delicious ripples of pleasure down her arm and toward her hip. What would it feel like to be held in his arms? Not as she had been, while dancing or when he comforted her after being hit with the bilboquet ball, but really held tight against him, while he murmured sweet words meant only for her? Would his lips feel as soft as they appeared if he pressed them to hers?
A tiny paw batted at the hem of her skirt, drawing her out of her pleasant reverie. Cecilia laughed. “Trying to get my attention, are you little one?”
Mr. Radcliff’s warm breath fanned her cheek as he turned to look at her. “You were far away just now. Off to someplace exciting?”
No place could be more exciting than sitting next to you. “Not really. Just woolgathering.”
“The smile on your face made it appear to be a pleasant place. Maybe you’ll tell me about it someday.”
“Perhaps I will. Some day.”
A larger version of the marmalade kittens sauntered up to Mr. Radcliff. “And who might this be?” He reached out and scratched the cat under the chin.
“That’s Mama Cat. These are her babies.”
He patted his leg and the cat moved closer. Tentative at first, then bolder, she stepped up onto Mr. Radcliff’s lap and began to purr.
Cecilia wiggled her fingers as she played with the kittens. “Goodness. You must really be fond of cats.”
“Indeed. I have several in my own stables. I’ve always loved them, though.”
“Most men wouldn’t want them climbing on their laps.”
“I’m not most men.”
“I’m beginning to realize that.”
A shuffle came from a few feet away. Leah. Cecilia had nearly forgotten that they weren’t alone. She leaned away from Mr. Radcliff a few inches, all that she could and still remain on the confines of the coat, and picked up a black kitten that had joined his sisters.
“That’s a handsome one.” Mr. Radcliff kept one hand on the mother cat’s back but reached out to stroke the kitten’s head.
What I wouldn’t give to have him stroke my face the very same way… “He is handsome. He might just be the one I choose.”
“Choose?”
“Oh, my cousin has assured me I can pick one of the kittens to keep.”
He smiled. “How nice. Would he get to live inside with you, then?”
“Why yes. Although Henry…” What was she doing? Talking too much about her home life might bring out something about living in the cottage instead of staying with Conrad and Amelia, as he believed her to be.
“Henry?”
“When I return home, he might have a small objection to a new arrival.”
“Return home? Not any time soon, I hope.”
She shook her head. “It’s my understanding that I will continue to live at my current location for some time to come.”
He relaxed. “That’s good news. I’d hate for you to leave just when I’m forming an attachment to you.”
She gasped. Attachment?
His face colored. “Oh, pardon me. I only meant that I enjoy your company and… I…”
She briefly touched his hand. “I enjoy yours too, Mr. Radcliff.”
He removed the cat from his lap and gently placed her on the floor. “Would you care to resume our walk, Miss Fleming?”
As much as she’d love nothing more than to sit with him all day, shoulder to shoulder and play with the kittens, it would be for the best if they did something else for a while. If someone walked into that part of the stables and saw them sitting so closely, it might reflect badly on her or Mr. Radcliff. “Yes, let’s do that.”
He stood and waited while she gave the kittens a final pat and then reached up for him to assist her. Once she was standing, he leaned over to retrieve his coat. With a few swipes at some dust and straw, he smiled. “There. Good as new.” He slipped on the coat and held out his arm.
Cecilia caught Leah’s eye and smiled, glad that her friend was the one to chaperone them. Leah grinned and followed them outside.
Sparrows chattered and chirped from beneath the eaves of the stable roof. One darted in front of them, causing Cecilia to stop suddenly. Mr. Radcliff’s hands found her shoulders, steadying her. While her body may have been held in place, her heart crashed about wildly in her chest.
“All right now, Miss Fleming?”
She nodded. Mouth suddenly dry, she found she was unable to form words. Mr. Radcliff once again offered his arm, which she took. My goodness I could get used to his attentions. He was so sweet, so kind and thoughtful. So unlike that horrid Horace or slimy Mr. Wolverton.
Cecilia wanted to walk in the opposite direction of the hedge beside the cottage since she had no desire for her mother to awaken and notice her in the company of a man. But Mr. Radcliff had other ideas.
“Splendid.” He pointed toward the stables. “They’re just bringing out some of the horses to the corral to work them. I’d love to watch. Would you mind?”
What could she say? No, I’d rather not run into my mother, the wife of the former surgeon-dentist? Because I’m really not who I claim to be? “Of course I don’t mind.” All the while as she said the words, her hand not on his arm clenched into a fist. A silent scream inside her head begged him not to venture too close to the hedge. But what choice did Cecilia have? She wished to spend more time with him. If that were what it took to continue in his company, then she’d have to take the chance that Mama was still napping.
They walked beside the hedge along the path. Cecilia’s heartbeat raced in her chest. What if Mama had awakened? Was searching for her? With a gentle tug, one Cecilia hoped wouldn’t seem offensive, she tried to hasten their steps past the hedge. Perhaps once they were far enough away from it, her mother wouldn’t notice their voices and come to see what was happening.
Leah’s steps, now quicker as well, were closer behind them than before. Did she, too, recognize the chance they took so close to the cottage?
A rustle came from the other side of the hedge. Was it Mama? Cecilia pulled harder on Mr. Radcliff’s sleeve. He stumbled, but caught himself before falling.
This was terrible! How gauche she must appear. A hoyden bent on running down the path.
“Miss Fleming is something amiss?”
“No… It’s only—”
“Cecilia?” It was Mama!
She gasped. Oh no! Cecilia swallowed hard. It can’t be. Why now of all times did she awaken and come to search for me?
Mr. Radcliff stopped in his tracks. “Miss Fleming? I believe someone is calling your name.”
She shook her head. “No. There’s no one here who would—”
“Cecilia! Where are you?”
A louder rustle came near the opening in the hedge. Cecilia and Mr. Radcliff were only a few feet away from it.
“Cecilia Fletcher! Come home this instant!”
Confusion showed on Mr. Radcliff’s face. “Did someone call for Cecilia Fletcher? But I thought—”
No! What must he think? But if Cecilia didn’t leave and leave right that instant, Mama would step through the opening in the hedge and see her with Mr. Radcliff. That could not happen!
Cecilia released Mr. Radcliff’s arm and darted a look to Leah, who nodded. “Forgive me, Mr. Radcliff, but I fear I’ve forgotten a prior engagement.”
“But—”
As Cecilia rushed away from him, she called over her shoulder, “Thank you for a lovely day. I must be going!”
Chapter Twenty-four
Cecilia raced through the hedge, nearly colliding with her mother.
“And just what have you been doing? I’ve been calling for you
.” Mama’s brow was furrowed, but that was nothing out of the ordinary.
As Cecilia hurried away from the hedge, she pointed in a vague direction behind her. It wouldn’t do for Mr. Radcliff to overhear their conversation. “Oh, I was just—”
“Why are you dressed like that? To whom does that belong?”
“It was—”
“Never mind. I can guess. It was that snippy Amelia’s wasn’t it?”
Cecilia raised one shoulder in a non-committal shrug.
“Wait.” Mama stepped closer. “It couldn’t have been hers.”
“It couldn’t?”
“She’s several inches taller than you.”
“Well, there was a Mantua-maker, you see and—”
“What? You’ve been spending time at that house after I specifically forbid it?”
“I… um…”
“Cecilia Fletcher! How dare you go against my wishes?”
“It wasn’t like that, Mama. It really wasn’t.” Cecilia walked the rest of the way to the cottage and went inside.
Mama was right on her heels. “Then pray tell just how was it?”
“This old thing, a cast-off of Amelia’s, well, she no longer had need of it so she simply had the… uh… hem taken up and…”
“I don’t care if it’s new or old. I don’t want you to take anything from those people.”
“But those people are the entire reason we have this house to live in and food to eat and Papa has a—”
“Stop. I’ll hear no more about them.”
Cecilia let out a sigh. “Yes, Mama.”
“I heard voices when I was trying to find you. Were you talking to someone?”
It would do no good to lie about that since her mother would have recognized her voice. “That was… um, Jeremy. He works in the stables.”
“Jeremy. Don’t believe I’ve heard your father mention him.”
“Oh, he’s new.”
“Is that right?”
“Mama, it isn’t as if you want to hear Papa talk about day to day events with the horses and workers, you know.”
“True. But why were you talking to this Jeremy, anyway?”
“He’s pleasant, I suppose.”
“You have an interest in him?”
“I don’t know.”
“But what about Horace?”
“Mama, I have no interest in Mr. Seymour. And I never will. Never.”
A puff of air escaped her mother’s lips. “But he’s so kind and considerate.”
Cecilia gritted her teeth together, afraid that ugly words about what she really thought of Horace might spew forth. “Nevertheless, I have no feelings for him.”
“But—”
“No, Mama. Please.”
“I just don’t understand you. Not at all.”
“I’m sorry we don’t agree on this, but I’m asking you to try to consider my feelings.”
“So is this Jeremy the one you’ve an interest in?”
“Well… perhaps.” If Mama believed there was someone else, someone acceptable with whom Cecilia could spend time, would she drop the idea of Cecilia marrying horrid Horace?
From just outside the window, Papa’s voice called out, “Cecilia?”
Mama frowned. “Nothing will ever get done in this cottage if your father keeps insisting you go outside with him.”
Perhaps if you hadn’t have gotten rid of the maid, that might not be the case. “I’d better find out what he wants.” Cecilia hurried outside before her mother could come up with some reason for her to stay.
Papa was already walking away. Why then had he called her? A movement from near the back of the cottage caught her eye. Leah peeked around the corner, beckoning Cecilia with her hand.
Leah? When Cecilia reached her, she studied her friend’s countenance. “What happened after I left Mr. Radcliff, was he…?”
“Confused? Yes.”
“Did he appear to be angry?”
“He didn’t seem happy.”
“I suppose not. Thank you for sending Papa to rescue me just now.”
Leah stopped on the path and placed her hands on Cecilia’s upper arms. “Do you care for Mr. Radcliff?”
“You know I do.”
“Then something must be done. And soon.”
“What do you mean? What can be done? Surely now he thinks me a silly irresponsible hoyden, running off the way I did.”
“Don’t forget that your mother said Cecilia Fletcher in Mr. Radcliff’s hearing.”
Cecilia groaned. “Yes, that was unfortunate.”
“Quite.”
“What should I do, Leah?”
Leah grabbed her hand and led her toward the house. “Perhaps Lady Lofton can help. If you tell her what happened she might have an idea of how to proceed.”
“What would I do without you?”
Her friend grinned. “Be lost, at the very least.”
They laughed and hurried toward the main house.
Cecilia pushed open the French doors that led to the library. They stepped inside, squinting at the dimness of the room.
The butler walked past the doorway in the hall, stopped and came back. “Miss Fletcher?”
“Giles, is Lady Lofton about?”
“Certainly. Let me tell her you have need of her.”
“Thank you.” Cecilia wrung her hands, more fearful by the second that anything she might have been developing with Mr. Radcliff was now ruined.
Leah took her hands in hers. “Everything will work out.”
“How do you know that?”
Leah shrugged. “I’m a believer in true love. So if you and Mr. Radcliff are meant to be together, it will happen.”
“I hope you’re right.” She tilted her head. “But what of you? Is there someone you have an interest in? If so, you’ve never said.”
A pinkish hue covered Leah’s cheeks. “Me? No. But…”
“But you hope to someday meet someone.”
“Yes, that’s the dream of my heart.”
Steps approached from the hall. “Cecilia?” Amelia entered the library. “Has something happened?” She pointed to a grouping of chairs near the window and they took seats.
After a deep breath, Cecilia nodded. “I’m afraid it’s not pleasant. I was walking with Mr. Radcliff and Leah past the hedge when Mama—”
“Oh, no.”
“Yes, she was calling me. Loudly. And said my surname.”
Amelia shook her head. “Of all times for her to search for you.”
Cecilia’s shoulders slumped. As bad as it had been when she and Leah had discussed it, hearing it from Amelia made it sound even worse.
“How did Mr. Radcliff react?”
“He looked confused. And I know he heard Mama say Fletcher because he even mentioned it. I don’t know how to fix this. Surely he’ll want nothing more to do with me. And we were just beginning a pleasant friendship.”
“Don’t fret.” Amelia patted her hand. “I have a plan.”
Leah poked Cecilia’s arm. “There you are. I knew she could help.”
With a laugh, Amelia winked at Leah. “I’m not saying it will work, but it’s worth a try.” She eyed Cecilia. “Mr. Radcliff is worth it, is he not?”
“Yes.”
“I thought as much. All right, here’s what we’ll do. Let’s send Mr. Radcliff an invitation for dinner for tomorrow night.”
Cecilia widened her eyes. “That soon?”
“I think it’s imperative that we stop any bad notions he has about you right away. I’d ask for tonight, but I want Cook to make sure she has all the ingredients for a very special meal. Plus, it might just give Mr. Radcliff a little time to cool down if he’s offended or upset.”
“I suppose.”
“It will work, you’ll see.” Leah squeezed her hand.
One corner of Amelia’s mouth rose. “Thank you, Leah. I appreciate your faith in me.”
Leah returned the smile. “Perhaps someday you’ll have advice for m
e as well.”
“You know I would do anything to help you, dear.”
“I know.”
Cecilia knew of course, how unusual it was for a maid to be so intimate with her mistress, but Leah had an innate sweetness about her. One couldn’t help but form an attachment. The three of them had developed a close bond in a short period of time.
“And Cecilia, as well as the dinner I’ll have prepared, we must do something a little extra with you as well.”
“Extra?”
“With your—” Amelia’s glance darted to the neckline of Cecilia’s dress. “—appearance.”
She glanced down as well. Her sister-in-law’s meaning sunk in. “Oh, no. I couldn’t.”
“Just a slight adjustment to the gown you choose to wear.” Her finger wagged up and down toward the general vicinity of Cecilia’s chest.
“How slight?”
Amelia’s face colored up. “It must be enough to capture his attention.”
“I don’t know…”
“You’ve agreed he’s worth trying to get back, have you not?”
“Yes, but—”
“Sometimes a woman must do things that cause a little discomfort when love is at stake.”
“Love? I’ve never said that I—”
“Oh, Cecilia, it’s written across your face. Every time you even utter his name, a glow appears.”
Cecilia reached up hesitant fingers to touch her cheek. She glanced at Leah. “It shows?”
Leah nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
“Then Mr. Radcliff may know of my affection for him?”
Amelia and Leah nodded.
With a deep sigh, Cecilia glanced back at Amelia. “Then more décolletage I shall expose.”
Chapter Twenty-five
“Sir, a message has arrived for you.” The butler held out a tray with a small, white note sitting precisely in the middle.
“Thank you.” Barrington reached out to retrieve it, all the while wondering who had sent it. Though at the moment, he truly cared not. All he could think about was Miss Fleming… Or was it Fletcher? The woman who had called for her had used the wrong name. A memory flashed across his mind. That man, the one from the bookstore, had also called her Fletcher. What were the chances that two people would state it incorrectly?
Love Birds: The Complete Collection Page 50
