Chapter Four

L yric had no idea what to expect from a kiss. Only this morning had she heard from her twin how wonderful one could be. She did not know much about Lord Blankenship, other than he was an incredibly attractive man and seemed to be a good one, as well, despite his admission to previously being a rogue.

His fingers gently caressed her cheek, causing a spark to shoot through her. He gazed at her with those deep brown eyes, and she seemed to be swallowed whole by them.

His palm now cradled her cheek as his mouth moved toward hers. Though they were surrounded by the sweet smell of the blooms in the garden, she caught a hint of the sandalwood from his cologne. It caused her heart to flutter.

Then his lips were on hers, gently caressing them. They were soft and yet somehow firm at the same time, a dichotomy she couldn't explain.

The kiss was sweet, bringing a deep yearning within her. Lyric's arms raised, her hands settling on his shoulders. They were broad and solid, and the feel of them made her feel safe.

He made her feel safe.

He broke the kiss and immediately kissed her again. His lips grew more familiar to her now, and her fingers tightened on his shoulders. Breaking the kiss again, he feathered soft, quick kisses along her brow. Her eyelids. Her cheeks. Then he returned to her mouth for one final kiss, their lips pressed together for a very long time.

When he lifted his head and smiled down at her, mixed feelings ran through Lyric. While she had liked the kisses very much, they did not seem to be the same kisses of Allegra's experience with Lord Carroll. She remembered the dreamy expression that had filled her twin's face when talking about it, and Lyric wondered if what had occurred between Lord Blankenship and her was merely a pleasant experience and not the soul-shattering one of Allegra's encounter with Lord Carroll.

Realizing she still clung to him, Lyric released her grasp upon him, her hands dropping in front of her. She laced her fingers together and looked up at him.

"Thank you for the kiss, my lord. It was my first."

"I expected it would be, Miss Lyric. Thank you for allowing me to kiss you."

Instinct told her that Lord Carroll had not asked permission to kiss Allegra. She shouldn't keep comparing Lord Blankenship to Lord Carroll. She had no attraction to the earl, while she did feel a strong pull toward this man.

"Would you like to continue strolling through the gardens?" he asked. "We still have time."

"Yes, I would like that," she told the viscount, accepting the arm he offered and sliding her hand into the crook of his arm. She liked being near him. She did like him. She had enjoyed their kisses.

Yet something was missing.

While Lyric did not believe necessarily that love came at first sight, she had thought when she kissed Lord Blankenship, it would let her know if she did love him or not. Then again, they did not know one another well. Perhaps love did—like a flower—need time to grow. Today, they had planted the first seed, which must now be watered and tended to. Even encouraged. She hoped over the duration of the house party that a friendship would spring up between them, and possibly that friendship might blossom into love.

As they strolled, he said, "Tell me about the layout of your gardens and what is blooming now that you are most fond of. I am only beginning to be interested in such things. I hope I will come to love plants as much as my uncle did."

Over the next half-hour, Lyric guided them through the Shadowcrest gardens, pointing out her favorites.

"The peachleaf bellflowers bloom most of the summer. I like their long stems because they make for an unusual choice in a flower arrangement."

Bending, she smelled some blooms and indicated for him to do the same.

"Oh, these are wonderfully spicy," he declared.

"They are cottage pinks, a type of dianthus. Because they are so short, you see how we have planted them toward the front, so that they are not lost."

They continued on, and he pointed. "What are these? They have such an unusual shape."

"Delphiniums." Lyric chuckled. "They can be a bit temperamental, but I believe they are worth your time. Because of their height, the wind and rain can knock them down, so you see how they have been placed in a more sheltered spot."

"Are they summer blooms?"

"Actually, delphiniums can withstand cold winters. They do not like heat, though, and they require a lot of moisture. Fortunately, both English soil and weather are perfect for them."

She continued on, pointing out hollyhock, geraniums, and lavender, sharing with him a bit about each. He asked several questions, good ones, about how the soil was prepared and when the planting of various flowers took place. His interest seemed genuine, and she eagerly shared with him, enjoying being with him.

By now, they had toured the entire gardens and had circled to the entrance.

"Thank you for spending this time with me, Miss Lyric. I appreciate you tutoring me about various flowers and the seasons in which they grow. I might have questions for you in the future, though."

"I would be happy to answer them for you, my lord. I usually spend time in the gardens every day. This house party is an exception to my usual routine. Aunt Dinah has various activities planned in order for our small group to get to know one another better. I would prefer spending my time with our guests because I can always return to gardening once the party has ended."

He smiled at her, and it was as if the sun warmed her from within.

"Perhaps we might sneak away early some morning, before the activities of the day," he suggested. "You could show me a bit about what you do to maintain such lovely blooms."

"I would like that," she said sincerely, happy he wanted to spend further time in her company. If he were willing to dirty his hands in order to be with her, the raw, tender feelings she was beginning to feel toward him might build further.

Other gentlemen were present at this house party, however, and she needed to spend time with all of them. Except for Lord Carroll. Lyric had already ruled him out since he was a rogue. She would have nothing to do with him. It was up to her to make an effort to get to know the other three gentlemen. She owed that much to Aunt Dinah—and herself.

They returned to the house, and she excused herself, saying she needed to change into her riding habit. When she arrived in the bedchamber she shared with Allegra, she saw her sister was already wearing hers. Since they shared everything, Lyric wanted Allegra's opinion on what had just occurred.

She dismissed the maid, saying that her twin could help her change clothes. The servant didn't find that odd in the least since the twins often did that for one another, especially when they wished to speak privately.

"What has happened?" Allegra asked eagerly as she helped remove Lyric's day gown.

"You are not the only one who has been kissed," she revealed.

"Lyric! Well, that was certainly fast work. Tell me about it. Tell me everything. Start with the gentleman's name."

Suddenly, she wanted to keep the experience to herself, but she did not want to disappoint her sister, especially after Allegra had been so open about Lord Carroll and their kiss.

"Lord Blankenship asked if I would guide him through our gardens. He knows that is a particular interest of mine and said he, too, has recently become interested in flowers."

Allegra gave her a knowing look. "I wonder if the good viscount's interest is because of you. So, he kissed you in the gardens. Go on," she encouraged.

"He admitted that he is looking for his viscountess and that he did not find a suitable bride on the Marriage Mart this Season."

"That was quite frank," Allegra pointed out.

"He expressed his interest in me. Then he asked if he might kiss me."

"He asked ?" Allegra frowned. "Lord Carroll certainly did not ask me."

Lyric clucked her tongue. "You yourself have declared the man a rake. I do not suppose they go about asking permission. Lord Blankenship did so because he is a gentleman."

Her twin's frown depend. "You do not seem affected by his kiss, Lyric. I suppose that is telling in itself. That he is not meant for you."

"I am struggling with it," she admitted. "I enjoyed his kiss quite a bit. It wasn't merely one. He would brush his lips across mine and break it. Then go back and do it all again. He even kissed all over my face. His kisses were tender and very sweet, Allegra. They moved me. But... I cannot explain it. I liked the feel of him. The nearness of us. The warmth and security he seemed to represent."

"But there was no passion," her twin said sadly.

"Yes, I suppose that was missing. Did Lord Carroll stir that within you?"

Allegra nodded. "I am reluctant to admit it, but he did. He kissed me... in a different... manner than Lord Blankenship kissed you."

Confusion filled her. "How else would you kiss, other than putting your lips together?"

"That is what I thought it was all about," Allegra said. "And I will say that Lord Carroll started out the same way as Lord Blankenship did." She hesitated. "But Lyric, he used his... tongue."

"I do not understand at all what you mean, Allegra."

"I had no idea kissing involved tongues, but it does," her sister said brightly. "Somehow, he persuaded me to open my mouth to him, and he placed his tongue against mine."

Shock filled Lyric. Then she nodded, saying, "Perhaps that is what I wished for Lord Blankenship to do. He was so sweet and gentle with me. Something did stir inside me. Something telling me I wanted—no, needed—more from him."

"Well, I would not make a final judgement just yet about the viscount," her sister advised. "If you say you liked the kind of kiss he gave you, I would think it is only a start. It would make sense for a gentleman to kiss a little more properly the first time than a rogue would. But I believe that Lord Blankenship does know how to kiss like that. All men must know how. I believe he was merely being gentle with you because it was your first kiss."

She had not thought of it that way. "You may be right," she agreed. "He is very kind and has lovely manners. I do not know when I have met a nicer gentleman. Perhaps kissing like that is something he believes a couple should lead up to, when they know one another better."

"I highly recommend trying it. While I realize that Lord Carroll has no interest in becoming betrothed during this house party, my experience with him has let me understand what is out there. What I want for myself with the man I love."

"So, you do plan to kiss another gentleman during this house party?" Lyric asked, anxious that Allegra might want to do so with Lord Blankenship.

"Oh, don't be a ninny," her sister chided. "I can tell you have feelings for the viscount. I have already told you I like him, but more in a brotherly fashion. I will not go about kissing your viscount."

"He is not my viscount," she said defensively.

Allegra's eyes gleamed with mischief. "But he could be. Especially if you kiss him with your tongue. In fact, that is what I suggest. Kiss him again—and do that very thing."

"I do not know how to do that!" she protested. "I do not even know how to begin to ask him to kiss me again, much less me take the lead in a kiss."

Allegra thought a moment. "If he has feelings for you, he will want to see if you are compatible. That will mean kissing you in the way I just told you about. If you hint at it, he might take the hint."

She snorted. "And I am to say what, Allegra? My dear Lord Blankenship, would you please allow me to place my tongue in your mouth, or perhaps you wish to thrust yours inside mine?"

Her twin burst into laughter. "No, that is something Lord Carroll might appreciate." She thought a moment. "Perhaps you should kiss Lord Carroll that way. As you said, he is an experienced rogue. He might teach you something you could try with the viscount."

"I could never do something like that!" Lyric said, stomping her foot to emphasize the point. "I cannot imagine kissing anyone but Lord Blankenship"

A knowing look entered her twin's eyes. "Oh, so now it comes out. You do not truly wish to kiss any other man at this house party. You have already made up your mind that Lord Blankenship is for you."

Lyric collapsed on the bed, sighing in exasperation. "I do not know what I want. I have never been this confused in my entire life."

Allegra sat next to her. "I feel the same," she admitted. "The feelings Lord Carroll stirred within me overwhelmed me. For the first time in my life, I believe I felt desire. But desiring a rake is the last thing I should want. No, I am going to take the lesson the earl taught me and test it with another guest at this party. Perhaps Lord Lamkin. He is so exuberant and friendly. I think having a husband such as Lamkin would make for a merry marriage indeed."

She slipped her hand around her twin's. "Promise we will keep talking honestly to one another about these confusing feelings, no matter how awkward they are."

"You know we always share everything with one another. I will let you know if there is another gentleman I grow fond of and if I kiss him." Allegra grinned. "And how I kiss him."

Lyric hugged her twin tightly. "Thank you for letting me share this with you."

Her sister helped her finish doing her riding habit, and they left their bedchamber.

She said, "I will admit I do have feelings for Lord Blankenship. I wish to explore them further, and that will mean I must kiss him in the way Lord Carroll kissed you. Only then will I discover if passion lies between us. Passion which could lead to love."

"I wish you the best, Lyric. Now, let's go and enjoy our ride with our guests."

They had agreed to assemble at the stables, and Lyric took her usual mount. Caleb was taking time from his day to lead the riding party so that he might point out various things in the area. Not only were they going to see Shadowcrest, but they would ride the surrounding area, even stopping in the village for a cup of cider.

Lord Tillings helped her to mount her horse and climbed upon his own. She watched as Viscount Blankenship assisted Miss Bancroft and then mounted himself. He looked as if he had been born in the saddle, so comfortable did he appear.

Their gazes met, and he nodded to her, the corners of his mouth turning up in a smile.

Lyric turned her horse and followed Caleb as her brother led them cantering across the meadow.

She would need to be alone with Lord Blankenship soon.

Perhaps even sometime during this ride.