Chapter 15

Bolton tried to engage Carina in conversation, but she could barely concentrate on what he was saying, which had never occurred before.

It was Knight's fault. If he hadn't kissed her so passionately, she would not be thinking of him now. Or at least her mind wouldn't be so preoccupied with what occurred in the gardens. Not only the kiss but talking about and remembering Florence. She would love to show it to him, but Carina knew better than to think that it would ever happen. Further, it was foolish to dream of such because it just made her long for what could never be.

"Gaia, I believe this is the first time a miss has not hung on my every word. It is rather disconcerting," Bolton said, which pulled Carina from her thoughts.

"I am certain that it is only because she is thinking about Knight," Gaia smirked.

Carina wanted to deny that she was, but that is exactly what she was doing.

Gaia then leaned in, closer to her brother. "I came across them in the garden earlier. They were quite alone."

Carina's face began to burn.

"I am the one courting her, not Knight," Bolton objected.

Carina would have thought he was offended if his brown eyes weren't filled with merriment or the side of his mouth hadn't quirked.

Gaia raised a gloved hand over her mouth and leaned closer. "I believe they were kissing."

Carina quickly glanced around to make certain that nobody had been near enough to hear Gaia's words.

"Well, that is a disappointment," Angelo said. "I consider Knight a friend, yet, he has shown me no respect for he knows that it is I courting Miss Leonelli."

Thank goodness Bolton was only trying to be serious and not truly angry.

"Would you two stop," she hissed quietly.

The two could tease her unmercifully, as they have in the past. Just as often it was Carina and Bolton who teased Gaia, or Gaia and Carina who teased Bolton. The two were truly more like her siblings, which was why she couldn't comprehend why Lord and Lady Dargate thought it a good idea that Angelo court her.

"Perhaps I should call him out," Angelo offered.

A chill ran down her spine and Carina feared that she'd misjudged Angelo's humor. "You would not dare."

The side of his mouth quirked again. "No and only because of that little confession I heard."

Once again, her face burned recalling how she'd honestly answered Angelo after Knight had been shot.

"What confession was that?" Gaia asked.

Carina held his eyes, begging Angelo not to tell his sister.

"Nothing of importance," he finally said. "However, I do have a question of my own."

"What would that be?"

"You said that he could not give you what you want. What would that be?"

"Oh, that is simple," Gaia answered before Carina could. "Carina wants a home of her own, which she believes is impossible for a coachman to achieve."

"Could we please discuss something more interesting?"

"I am not certain there is a topic that I could enjoy more, especially the way it makes you blush." He then leaned close to Carina. "However, if you are going to go about kissing my friend, please do not let anyone see until our courtship is at an end. If word gets back to my parents…"

Carina wanted to deny that there had been any kissing but couldn't bring herself to lie to Angelo.

"I will keep that in mind," she whispered.

It was a near agonizing fortnight of Felix spending his afternoons or evenings waiting for Bolton to return with Carina. He hated every moment they were together and without him. It didn't matter that Lady Lydell was there acting as chaperone. Felix was certain Bolton was charming Carina because he couldn't help himself from doing so. Felix had yet to witness Bolton encounter a female whom he did not enter into a flirtation with and likely was no longer aware that he was doing so.

Felix's biggest fear was that Carina would fall under Bolton's spell, then reminded himself that if she had not done so in all these years, it was unlikely she would succumb to his flirtations now.

At least he had the gardens. Each day Felix waited for her to join him at her favorite bench. Sometimes she waited for him. There they would sometimes spend minutes and other times hours talking about their past, that which they were willing to share, and future dreams. He now knew that the one thing that Carina wanted she did not think Felix could give her—a home of her own. Except, the information had come from Bolton and not Carina and he was not yet ready to reveal what he knew or how he could make it a possibility.

Felix and Carina did not spend all their time talking because their conversations also led to kissing and caressing and so often he had been tempted to lift her skirts and show her real pleasure but did not. It was bad enough that he had kissed her neck and above her bodice as his hand caressed a breast. Her moans were torture because he found no release and often was left achy with need.

He needed to make her his soon.

"Today is the last day," she whispered as she pulled away from Felix.

"I understand that Lady Lydell has already penned the letter of how poorly suited you and Bolton are."

Carina chuckled. "She's had it ready for nearly a sennight but intends to post it today."

"Bolton has a letter as well," Felix added. "Do you?"

"Yes. I thanked them for their kindness in thinking I was worthy of their son, the heir, but I could not imagine us being married and feared that it would never move beyond a sisterly affection."

Thank goodness Bolton's parents were currently at the estate in Faversham because if they were in Bath, they would be keeping a very close eye on Bolton and Carina to make certain the courtship proceeded according to their plans, which also would have meant that he and Carina could not have spent these private moments in the garden.

"Are there plans for the two of you today?" Felix asked.

"No. Bolton has instructed the servants to pack his belongings so that he can return to his home."

Felix grinned and swept Carina up and settled her on his lap.

"Finally, you are all mine and I do not need to share."

"You lifted me rather well for being injured," she teased.

"I am fully recovered, if you must know, I wear the sling to hide that fact, but do not tell Lydell."

"Why is that?"

"He will return me to work, and I will need to move back to my rooms above the stables."

"Are they so terrible?"

"Too often they smell of horses. I much prefer the bedchamber within the house."

"It would also leave us little time," Carina said.

"I have not yet been given a chance to court you."

"What have we been doing if not courting?" she asked with a laugh.

"I'd like to take you somewhere beyond these gardens."

"Where does a coachman and companion court?" she teased. "We cannot go to The Pump Room or The Assembly Rooms, and likely not the theatre."

If she knew who he truly was, they could do all those things. "We could visit Sydney Gardens, stroll along Milsom Street or Pulteney Bridge or visit Bath Abbey again, as we did when Lord and Lady Lydell first met."

"I would like all those things," she said before placing her lips against his. Unfortunately, Carina did not remain long but hopped from his lap. "But first, there is a letter that I must post."