Twenty-nine

Hunter

13 December 1814

I left the townhome early the next morning before Gwendolyn arose, intending to complete my errands quickly and return in time to spend breakfast with her. When I arrived home late last night, not a sound came from her bedchamber, so I conceded she had retired. I felt a pang in my chest when I readied for bed. I missed walking her to her room, holding her hand, and seeing that flicker of interest grow between us.

I did not have a chance to speak with my mother last night without my father present, but I slipped a note into her maid's hands, and she promised to give it to her at bedtime. The message asked her to meet me in Hyde Park this morning, and the matter required both urgency and secrecy.

Thus, my early departure.

Once I returned home again, the breakfast hour was complete. The visit with my mother claimed a great deal more time than I had expected, but she reacted precisely how a grandmother might. I'm certain part of her reasons had to do with anticipating a child who bore Josiah's flesh and blood. A child who might heal the missing part of her heart. She blessed my efforts and encouraged me to stay the course. She had not known that Lady Braxton had already spoken to my father.

I informed Trenton to pack my valise for one night and sought Gwendolyn in the parlor. She had set up an easel with a new canvas. I knew that my behavior last night had raised concerns, but I wished to depart on good terms. I silently watched her work for several uninterrupted minutes. She painted with such devotion and focus, much like she had at the abbey ruins. I could never tire of watching her. I entered quietly, and though I needed to depart shortly, I hesitated. From my view, her work showed the beginnings of a face, but I could not tell whose it was.

"Gwendolyn."

She spun around with similar concern from the night before. I smiled, intending to ease her worry and strode forward to greet her.

"I missed you at breakfast this morning." She set her paintbrush down and wiped her hands on the cover she used over her dress, then removed it.

"Forgive me, I had an errand to see to."

She said nothing in response, most likely hoping I might elaborate. I promised her that I wouldn't lie, so instead, I said nothing.

I pointed to the canvas. "Did Julia send you another poem?" I smiled genuinely at the memory of the last.

She, too, must have reflected on the memory since her cheeks tinted a shade darker. She met my smile. "Yes, I only received it this morning."

"May I read it?"

She nodded and handed it to me.

This poem portrayed nothing like the ardor from the last and instead carried a cryptic tone. I couldn't wait to see the finished painting and have her share her thoughts with me.

"I look forward to the end result." I smiled, and when I handed the parchment back to her, our fingers touched. The jolt sent a lightning strike up my arm. Did she feel that as well? We stood silently facing one another for several seconds. "I must take my leave." I caught her lips dip into a slight frown. "If you need anything, you have a bevy of servants at your disposal and, of course, my family is not far away. My mother adores you." I bowed and turned to leave.

"Wait, Hunter," Gwendolyn called as I stepped outside the parlor door. "Question or Command?" she asked with some hesitation.

My heart stopped. Though I delighted in playing this game with her, it carried a risk, especially right now. What if she asked me about last night? What if she asked about my conversation with Lucas and Zach or why I sought out my mother? Gwen's intelligence surely questioned my behavior. Did I have the strength to tell her the truth right now?

"Yes, forgive me." I turned around and faced her. She appeared nervous. Her fingers fiddled against her skirt while she bit her bottom lip.

"Will you go first this time?" she asked.

I took a deep breath. My mind reeled with something simple. Maybe she would follow with something simple herself. I glanced past her and into the parlor.

She seemed to relax.

"Question," I said. "What is your preferred pastime?" The question should be straightforward. I expected her to answer about her painting. "If you possessed all the time in the world, how would you spend it if you had a choice?"

She appeared embarrassed, lowering her head as she licked her lips.

Maybe the question was not as simple as I hoped.

"Nobody has ever asked me that before."

My eyes widened. "Not even your parents?"

She shook her head. "But I must confess, it isn't the same thing it was a week ago."

I tilted my head curiously. Our marriage took place just over a week ago. Was she saying her preferred pastime had altered since then?

I took a step forward, though a considerable distance remained between us. I wanted to explore her words and hear her speak plainly.

She smiled, though her eyes remained lowered. "I find I love spending time with you, Hunter." She peered up at me, and the very look I yearned to see flashed within. Gwendolyn cared for me.

I was taken aback, stunned, to say the least. Then tormented. Why must I leave now? I wanted to remain and explore this new curiosity.

When I didn't speak, she quickly filled the silence. "My turn." She bit her lip again.

Oh yes, we are still playing the game. Then I felt dread wash over me. Might she ask me what I feared telling her? This could very well be the beginning of a difficult day if she were to ask for a certain truth.

"Command."

I exhaled silently. When our eyes met, she seemed to find her confidence.

"Kiss me."

I didn't mean to reel back in shock. This wasn't what I expected at all. "Pardon?"

Her bottom lip began trembling, and she looked away. "I—I didn't mean…" She held her hand out to me as if that's what she intended.

I was sure it wasn't.

I took two strides forward and placed one hand on her waist and the other gently clutched the base of her neck, pulling her to me. With no hesitation, I claimed her lips. The same lips I had watched, studied, and desired for weeks now, and like hell I would pass this up.

What began cautiously, deepened with each gentle motion. As my mouth moved over hers, she eagerly followed, and we fell into a fervent rhythm. When she slid her hands up and around my neck, I drew her tighter against me and the kiss intensified. I felt the thrumming begin deep within, then blaze a heated trail as it pulsated through my veins.

I could not get enough of her.

Placing both hands on her waist, I lifted her up and set her on the accent table behind her without breaking the kiss. A vase fell onto its side, but neither one of us moved to right it. The simpler access brought me exceptionally closer. With both hands now cupping the nape of her neck, my lips caressed her jaw, her cheeks, and the tender flesh around her ear, then I took possession of her lips once more. Her touch stressed a similar yearning and, for several minutes, we were blissfully immersed in only each other.

Then I drew back, stunned at the sudden turn of events.

Might she regret this?

I definitely did not.

Unable to speak, I gazed into Gwendolyn's eyes, and something I had never seen before sparked within. Desire perchance? I couldn't quite identify it since I'd never seen her reveal it before.

"Well…" I brought her back to the floor and released her. "I believe that is my favorite command thus far," I declared.

Her smile radiated and momentarily mesmerized me. Who knew that when she smiled, her whole countenance lit up? I shook my head, returning to reality. For a moment there, I was tempted to throw all responsibility out the door and kiss her soundly for hours on end. Another reason I'd be cursing Josiah's name for the rest of the day.

"Mine too," she whispered as she touched her lips.

I reached for her hands and brought them to my lips and let my kiss linger, grateful I hadn't cowered to only this when she first revealed her command.

"I will be home tomorrow, I promise." I squeezed her hands. "Gwendolyn, please know, I wouldn't leave if it weren't absolutely necessary."

Her shoulders relaxed and my palm brushed her cheek before I departed. Now, I knew her kisses would be the only thing on my mind for twenty-four blasted hours. At least until I returned, and we could pick up where we left off. And I would do everything in my power to make sure it was as soon as possible.