Chapter Twelve

T he dim lights created an intimate ambiance in the box Lennox had secured for the evening. Every act he partook in to win Flora’s acceptance to become his bride, he behaved in the opposite manner to win her heart. He had been a fool not to realize she had offered her love so freely when they spoke their vows. This time, he wanted to earn her love. If he showed her how much he treasured her, she would realize he loved her too.

While she had never spoken those words to him, she wouldn’t have run once she learned of his betrayal. No lass wanted to learn the only reason her husband married her was because of their parents' demand. A lass wanted a courtship filled with endearments that swept her off her feet. He had swept Flora off her feet, but it had only been for his own selfish needs.

Were his actions that evening in the same regard? He pondered the questions that filled his head with doubts and wondered if his actions resulted from his desires. He wanted to treat Flora to a pleasurable evening of entertainment instead of confining her inside his grandfather’s home with a stack of musty books to occupy herself.

Her throaty chuckle drew his attention away from his musings. His gaze traveled across the amusement that lit her face with a healthy glow. Since his return, a frown had graced her features, with only an occasional smile peeking out. However, that evening she gifted him with a variety of smiles, showing her happiness. He treasured each one and couldn’t decide which he favored most.

For that evening, his favorite would have to be the shy smile she bestowed on him whenever their glances met. It still held a hint of innocence he hadn’t destroyed with his deceit. He hoped it was one she kept forever.

Or did he prefer the lighthearted grin filled with gaiety she held while watching the performance? It was one she always held when she teased her brothers and one she used to share with him. He longed for her to do so again.

The curtain closed for intermission before he continued with the variety of smiles that graced Flora’s features. The attendees rose from their seats to visit amongst themselves. Lennox hoped Flora would find contentment by remaining alone with him.

Flora shifted in her seat. “Are you enjoying the performance?”

Lennox kept his gaze focused on Flora. “Tremendously.”

Flora’s smile brightened at Lennox’s reply. “What was your favorite scene?”

Lennox held no clue of the plot of the play. His attention had remained centered on Flora for the entire first act. “Where my wife expressed her enjoyment of the play with her enchanting smile.”

Flora blushed before gently swatting at his arm. “There is no need to charm me. Now tell me your favorite part.”

Lennox slid his palm down her arm and linked their fingers together. “’Tis not charm but the truth. I have spent the first act watching you find joy in the performance.”

“Oh.”

Lennox’s comment flustered Flora, and she barely responded with an answer. She had been unaware of his perusal throughout the first act. How had she been so oblivious of the attention he paid her?

She glanced at their hands. The simple gesture spoke of his honorable intentions. His every act throughout the evening showed he only wished to please her. There was no hidden agenda to seduce her into his bed as she first thought. It might be how they ended the evening, but it wasn’t Lennox’s sole purpose.

“I do not wish to be selfish, but do you care if we refrain from socializing? I would much rather spend this time alone,” Lennox asked.

Flora flashed him another one of his favorite smiles. “’Tis not a selfish request. I too would much prefer to enjoy only your company.”

He squeezed her hand. “How does this play compare to the others you have seen?”

Flora gazed at the stage with a dreamy expression. “I have seen no other to compare it to. This is my first.” She turned to stare into his eyes. “Thank you for the special treat.”

“Did your parents not visit the city?”

“Nay. They preferred country life. Father only visited Inverness or Edinburgh if his business affairs required his presence. Otherwise, he delegated the duties to his man of affairs or one of my brothers. Mother detested the social niceties required of her and preferred the company of the servants on our estate to those of the peerage,” Flora explained.

Lennox stroked his thumb across Flora’s wrist. “And what is your preference, city or country life?”

Flora’s brows scrunched together as she pondered Lennox’s question. “Both.”

Lennox chuckled. “Both? Do tell.”

“While I long for the freedom of the Highlands, my stay in London gave me insight into other experiences to explore. Like my mother, I would not enjoy the proper engagements one must partake in to mingle in society. However, the enjoyments offered, like this play, for instance, enlightened my interest. Can I tell you a secret of my greatest wish?”

Lennox leaned forward, interested in anything and everything about Flora. “Please do.”

Flora leaned but a whisper of a breath apart from Lennox. “I wish to travel to other countries and explore to my heart’s desire.”

He had never imagined Flora would love to travel. She had always seemed content with living a simple life. He remembered her reaction to his family’s wealth and how she had shied away from the extravagance. Lennox had to calm his mother on more than one occasion when Flora wouldn’t sew and socialize with the other ladies because she had wandered to the stables or visited with the villagers.

He could offer Flora her greatest wish. However, would she want him to join her? Or did she wish to travel and explore on her own? Or perhaps she had met someone else during her stay in London she wished to enjoy her future with?

Instead of allowing his doubts to damper their evening, he brushed his lips across Flora’s. When she didn’t pull away and her soft sigh wrapped around his heart, he deepened the kiss to forget everything but them in that moment. Lennox shared one gentle kiss after another with Flora before pulling away.

“I hope you get your wish one day,” Lennox murmured.

“So do I,” Flora whispered.

They stared into each other’s eyes, wrapped in a cocoon from the sweet kisses they shared. Flora wanted to express how she wished for him to join her on her travels. There was nobody else she wanted to explore the world with but him. However, to confess her greatest wish, she must offer her forgiveness and profess her love. The fear of enduring heartache again held her back. Other than vowing to protect her, Lennox never spoke of resuming their marriage. His bed perhaps, but never to live side by side for eternity.

Lost in his attention, Flora failed to notice the play begin its second act. The hush of the audience and the actors’ loud projection of their lines never broke through her attention. She had gotten lost in the dark green forest of Lennox’s gaze. It wasn’t until he kissed the corner of her lips and whispered, “Enjoy the second act, lass,” that Flora shook herself from her daze.

She shifted back to face the stage. However, during the second act, the heat from Lennox’s fiery gaze pierced through her, setting her aflame. Her attention strayed on occasion to become entangled with his sole interest focused on her. The air grew heavy, surrounding them in a haze of passion. She no longer cared to sit in a theatre filled with nameless souls. She wanted to return home where only the two of them existed.

When the play ended, the audience gave the actors a standing ovation, clapping with enthusiasm and shouting accolades. Lennox swept Flora from their box to their carriage that awaited them outside, avoiding the bustle of the crowd. During the ride back to the townhome, Lennox settled on the bench next to Flora, drawing her into his embrace.

She tipped her head back when his hand cupped her cheek. Her lashes fluttered closed when he lowered his head to ravish her lips. Their sweet kiss during intermission paled at the ferocity of the passion exploding around them. The emotions they had repressed the past few weeks faded away. Flora drove her hands into Lennox’s locks. She ached to feel the soft strands between her fingers, but her damn gloves were in the way. To dispose of them would only cause the servants to gossip when they disembarked.

Lennox’s lips trailed across Flora’s cheek and down her neck. The rapid pulse in her neck fluttered against his lips as he nipped at her. He tugged at the buttons on her frock to get to her heaving bosom. However, Flora stopped him by placing her hand on top of his. When he raised his gaze, she gave a swift shake of her head. He pulled back, disturbed with himself for pushing her into a position she wasn’t ready for.

He dragged a hand through his hair. “Please forgive me. I am a beast for forcing myself on you.”

He misunderstood her. She only stopped him because they were almost home and she didn’t want any interruptions when she gave herself to Lennox again. She didn’t want a rushed tryst in a carriage but soft candlelight glowing around them while they made love in his bed. Flora wished to start anew with Lennox and hoped he wanted the same.

Soon the carriage rolled to a stop, and a footman opened the door. Once she disembarked, she peeked through the door to see her husband frustrated with himself. She gave him a seductive smile and held out her hand. “I would much prefer my husband’s bed than a carriage bench when we make love again.”

Flora’s husky whisper pushed Lennox over the edge. He grabbed her hand and jumped out of the carriage, sweeping her into his arms. Before he stole another kiss, she blindsided him with a seductive smile that weakened every argument he held back from declaring his intentions. Tomorrow he would pledge his love to win her heart and soul.

Also, he decided he favored her seductive smile above all others.