The Ugly Duckling Debutante (House of Renwick #1)(38)

Alarm enveloped her suddenly. How much could she really tell him? She would, of course, tell him of her life, but nothing of the way her parents treated her. It would only upset him and cause him to pity her, and pity was the last thing she wanted from him, of all people.

She managed a brief smile as she took his arm. “Are we to leave immediately?”

“Of course, the carriage is already waiting.”

A man who knows what he wants. Now if only that would include her.

Nicholas helped her into the carriage, but not without her noticing how much his hands lingered across her hips. She bit her lip to keep from saying anything that would cause him to question her feelings for him. This day was about sharing part of herself with him, not about confessing undying love and devotion.

Nicholas joined her in the carriage and patted the seat next to him. She pretended to be dismayed he would assume she would sit next to him in such close quarters. He merely waited, eyebrow raised, for her to move, knowing full well she had every intention of moving close to him. Once she sat down, the entire carriage became like a small airless room. The tension between them was astonishingly penetrating, causing her feel the need to fan herself, never mind that it was a rather cool morning.

“No need to be nervous, Sai,” Nicholas commented smoothly. “I give my word, I won’t touch you. You need not fear that the beast will emerge and steal away your innocence.” He winked at her, but it did not set her any more at ease. If anything, it proved to her that not only did he notice the tension between them, but he also understood he had little control when it came to their bodies touching—and the kissing. Control wasn’t even a word in the dictionary when they were kissing.

She managed a little laugh before looking back out the window, silently pleading for him to at least grab her hand. Every nerve in her body threatened to explode with passion at any minute. “We’re here!” he announced, lifting her hand to his lips. His lips barely touched her glove, but her body responded as if he had just taken her in his arms. Her knees buckled, sending her sailing into his waiting arms outside the carriage.

“I’m astounded that you lasted that long.” He breathed into her hair. “May I just say you have the nerves of steel, my lady? If I would have had to sit next to you for much longer, I would have jumped out of the carriage myself. And I mean that in the most complimentary way.” He smiled at her warmly as she stepped out of his arms and back onto the firm ground. So he felt the tension between them. Good, let him suffer. Of course, she was also suffering along with him. No wonder people had quick engagements.

“Where is the picnic?” she asked forcing the carriage ride fiasco out of her mind.

“Just down the road,” he pointed to the back of his estate. “I have a small pond with ducks near an inviting field of wildflowers, I thought we could visit. Would you like to walk or ride?” He turned to ask, but she was already running and laughing into the field.



***



“Run it is,” Nicholas mumbled to himself and chased after her.

By the time he caught up with her, she had successfully taken down her hair, so it flowed in soft waves about her shoulders. Her bonnet had gone flying somewhere back by the dirt road, and her face was lifted up to the sky in worship. “I could live here,” she said breathlessly.

“I want that,” he answered.

Her head inclined toward his. “What exactly do you want?”

Smiling, he shook his head momentarily breaking eye contact as he announced breathlessly. “You. Everywhere.”

He hadn’t meant to be so honest, but nature had a way of making him feel alive without blemish or secrets. Her blush deepened as he continued to stare at her perfect face. “Tell me about yourself, Sai. I want to know everything.”

“It’s Sara.”

“Who’s Sara?” he asked looking around.

“No, you misunderstand. I’m Sara. My aunt changed my name, so it would sound more foreign for my launch into society.”

He bit his lip to keep from biting hers. “Sara,” he repeated. “It fits better than Sai does. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.” He leaned closer to her, just close enough to be able to smell the lemons on her skin. “Tell me more,” he whispered near her ear.

Her rich laughter made him dizzy with desire and aching need. Good Lord, when had he ever been so spellbound by a woman?

“I grew up in the country.”

“You’re making that up.”

“Am not!” she snapped and threw a flower at him. “Listen like a good boy, or I won’t continue.” She crossed her arms in protest. He wanted to uncross her arms…among many other things he was dying to do to her in that field.

“Go on,” he enticed, noticing his voice had grown husky. Perfect; now she knew the level of attraction.

“As I was saying.” She glared in his direction, and he tossed his head back in a laugh. “I grew up in the country, my sisters ran off to Gretna Green. They married twin brothers with no title and no fortune, leaving me as the only hope to marry and save my family.”

He had figured as much, not the whole marrying twins part, but the part where she needed money. “How much do you need?”

She looked at him annoyed. “That’s the problem. I have no idea. It never seemed bad. In fact, we always seemed to have more than enough.”