Page 24 of A Scandal In July
“It’s Lucy,” Lenore whispered, easily recognizing the tones of her twin, despite the dark and distance. “And Will.”
Rhys grabbed the lantern with his left hand and threaded the fingers of his right hand through hers. Lenore smiled at the gesture.
He bent to whisper in her ear. “You, Miss Montgomery, are the veryworstdistraction.”
She grinned up at him, her heart strangely buoyant at the feeling they’d got away with something naughty.
Lucy and Will were traversing the left side of the room, and although Lenore and Rhys tried to sneak along their row, the light from their lantern gave them away.
“Hoi!” Will shouted. “Who’s there?”
Rhys rolled his eyes in comical despair and shouted back. “It’s Rhys. And Lenore.”
“Lenore?” Lucy called over the racking. “Have you found the flag?”
Rhys shook his head just as Lenore shouted, “Not yet.”
“Race you for it!” Will called, and Lenore could hear the rapid pounding of their footsteps as they started along their row.
“Quick!” she gasped, tugging Rhys’s hand and pulling him along.
He held his lantern aloft, and they both looked frantically for the flag, moving as quickly as they could while making sure they didn’t miss it. They turned into another aisle, then another, as Lucy and Will’s lantern glow on the ceiling revealed the rows they were exploring.
“Found it!”
Lucy’s triumphant shout echoed along the rows and Lenore let out a growl of frustration.
“Best twin wins!” Lucy taunted loudly.
“Luckiest twin wins,” Lenore grumbled. In truth, she didn’t mind too much. She was feeling rather lucky herself, and she’d happily give up the chance of finding the other flags if it meant Rhys would kiss her again.
He released her hand as they reached the end of their row and found Lucy and Will beaming with happiness near the bottom of the steps.
“Well done,” Lenore managed, praying the darkness would conceal her flushed cheeks and well-kissed lips.
The other couple started back up the stairs and Lenore smoothed her skirts and took a steadying breath as she prepared to follow them.
Kissing someone in the shadows was one thing, a wicked secret buried deep beneath the earth, but how was she going to face Rhys in the harsh light of day?
Did he regret what they’d done? Would he dismiss it as something trivial, a lark not to be taken too seriously?
Lenore was almost afraid to find out.
Chapter Twelve
Lucy and Will were already hurrying toward the open front door by the time Lenore and Rhys emerged from the cellar.
Lenore didn’t regret their kiss one bit, but she was a little shaken to imagine what would have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted. Would Rhys have stopped kissing her of his own free will? Becauseshewouldn’t have had the fortitude to do it.
And would he have taken things further? She would have allowed it, willingly, but what would he have thought of her if she’d given herself to him fully? She was still a virgin, although she’d read enough books and seen enough erotic drawings to know exactly what it meant when a man and a woman made love. Her blood heated at the thought of Rhys touching her body so intimately.
She slid a glance over at him as they headed out into the courtyard, half afraid he’d apologize and call it an impetuous mistake.
“Only two clues left to find,” he said brightly, clearly determined to act as if nothing had happened. “Island, and boat. I say we try the boat shed first.”
Lenore fanned her warm cheeks and nodded, just as a shout of annoyance emerged from the direction of the stables.
Rhys sent her a conspiratorial smile. “Sounds like someone’s just discovered there’s no tack to saddle their horses.”