Page 23 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

L ia was enthralled by the passing scenery.

Almost as enthralled as she was with Viscount Cressley.

She could not seem to stop thinking about the man, no matter how hard she tried.

Tia had cornered her last night when they went to their shared bedchamber, asking Lia again about her feelings regarding Lord Cressley.

Being twins, they had never bothered to hide anything from one another.

Oftentimes, they knew how the other one felt without asking, and this was the case with Lord Cressley.

Tia had told her that she knew the viscount stirred something within her twin, and that is why she had encouraged them to go off on their own to Mrs. Shaft’s tearoom yesterday, asking if the time alone together had helped anything to blossom between them.

Lia admitted she had feelings for the viscount but could not say if they were returned, citing how stoic he appeared at all times.

Tia had mentioned the viscount turned tender whenever he looked at his niece, and she told Lia she had caught Lord Cressley looking at Lia in a similar fashion.

That had given Lia hope.

Suddenly, making her come-out seemed incredibly unimportant.

Yes, she would enjoy the balls because she adored dancing, but she was not as outgoing as her twin.

Lia had always done better in conversations with one or two people, and the thought of having to make small talk with an entire ballroom of guests caused her heart to race.

She was fast coming to love Cumberland and could see herself living here.

With Lord Cressley and Celia.

In their conversations, she had told the viscount of how Ariadne and Val had made love matches and how she was eager to do so for herself.

She feared now that might have frightened him off.

Lia realized he was a man whose life was in tremendous transition.

Lord Cressley had been a second son, knowing his destiny lay in the military.

Suddenly, he was yanked from the only life he had known and thrust into a new one.

Not only did he have new duties in being Viscount Cressley, but he also had Celia placed under his care.

Lia could tell how close the pair had become in the short time they had known one another, each clinging to the other.

Would there be room for her—and would Lord Cressley be able to open his heart further to Lia—and love?

She would be in Cumberland about another two months.

Hopefully, that would give her time to decide if she truly wished for a marriage and life with Lord Cressley.

In return, he would have the same amount of time to see if she might be the one who could bring him lasting happiness.

Lia thought they already had a strong foundation of friendship.

Perhaps that might be a pathway to love.

Most ton marriages were made in order to strengthen a family’s social status within Polite Society and many couples lived separate lives from one another.

In fact, if she had made her come-out last spring, Mama had explained that Lia might only speak to a gentleman a handful of times before a betrothal was announced.

Having these two months in Cumberland to get to know Lord Cressley would be a vast improvement over having danced with a gentleman two or three times and then becoming engaged to a stranger.

She could not force the issue, however. For now, Lia would settle for a budding friendship with Lord Cressley and enjoy the time she was able to spend with Celia.

If she returned to Kent without an offer of marriage from the viscount, she would have to accept that they were not right for one another.

They slowed their horses to a walk several times, simply to enjoy the beauty of Derwentwater Lake and the surrounding mountains.

They passed through Watendlath, a small hamlet surrounded by rugged beauty, and then they reached Honister Pass.

Sheep grazed on the hills of both sides of the pass, and Tray pointed out the local slate mine.

“They produce what is called Westmoorland slate, which is a striking green in color. You will see it used throughout London and beyond.”

“This landscape is breathtaking,” she said.

Lord Cressley, who had stopped his horse next to hers, said, “I could not agree with you more, my lady. I have seen more than most, thanks to my travels in the army, and I can tell you there is no place on earth quite like Cumberland.”

They reached Buttermere, a tiny hamlet, and stopped at the pub. While they stayed with the horses, Tray went inside to speak with the owner. He came out a few minutes later.

“I have arranged for our horses to be kept in a stable next to this pub.”

Each rider dismounted, and they led the mounts to the stable, where a boy of about ten and five would water and feed their horses.

As they emerged, Tray said, “We will now walk about Buttermere Lake’s footpath. It is a leisurely footpath, not challenging in the least. You will enjoy seeing the High Stile range to the south and Dale Head range to the north.”

“I like the view from Cat Bells,” Verina said. “From there, we will be able to see the western side of Derwentwater.”

“How long will it take to walk about the lake?” she asked.

“Usually two to three hours,” Justina said. “It will depend on how often we stop to admire the views. ”

“I told the pub owner we would be back in about two and a half hours,” Tray said. “I requested that he have a meal ready for us at that time.”

“The path is this way,” Justina said, linking her arm through her sister’s and leading the way.

Tray offered his arm to Tia. “Come, Cousin. Walk with me. I will probably bore you with talk of birds, so kindly tell me to be quiet when you tire of me.”

Tia laughed and slipped her arm through Tray’s.

That left Lia with Lord Cressley, who smiled at her, offering his arm. She placed her hand through the crook of it, inhaling the scent of bergamot as she did so.

They followed the others and reached Buttermere Lake quickly. For a few minutes, they strolled quietly, and then Lia asked, “Are you settling in at Crestbrook?”

“Actually, I feel I already have. I had not been to my family’s estate since my first year in university.

I had forgotten how beautiful it is. I am beginning to know my tenants, and Celia and I have walked every inch of the grounds.

At five years of age, she knows Crestbrook better than I ever did, and I always roamed the land as a child. ”

“Were you lonely growing up?” she asked.

He thought a moment before responding to her question.

“Yes—and no. Yes, in the sense that I did not ever feel I had a family. With my mother dying in childbirth and my father staying in town most of the year, I had no parents in my life, to speak of. Perceval was years older than I was, away at school or university much of the year. Then later, he always stayed in town. I rarely saw him and really never spoke with him. The servants were the ones who looked after me, especially the butler and housekeeper. From what I gather, the couple retired five years ago and moved to Grasmere, where they now live with their daughter and her family. I did have a tutor before going away to school, but for the most part? I think I raised myself. ”

They walked on in silence again, looking over the lake, which appeared as glass on this windless day. It reflected the mountains surrounding it, giving her pause as she absorbed the stunning beauty of the landscape.

Then Lord Cressley broke the silence. “I suppose that is why I want much more for Celia and any children I might sire. While my childhood and lack of upbringing led me to be incredibly independent and self-reliant, it was a lonely existence. I want Celia to feel a sense of family. I hope I will have several children so that she will have many cousins to grow up with.”

“My sister Ariadne has a unique philosophy. We Worthington siblings felt abandoned each year when Mama and Papa went to town for the Season. Instead of leaving Penelope behind, Ariadne took her babe to town when she and Julian attended this past Season. She believes the season is more than attending social events. She and Julian will bring their children to town each year, so they will never be apart from them. Ariadne has asked her siblings and cousins to do the same. I have told you there are ten cousins in our families, and we only saw one another on one occasion when we were children. If we all bring our own children to town each year, we can meet up frequently with one another, and all the cousins will have a strong sense of family.”

“That is a very different way of doing things, totally unlike what is practiced now by the ton . I admire your sister’s perseverance in this endeavor.”

“Val and Eden have agreed to do so. Tia and I will also abide by this and bring our children to town. I know Ariadne has already asked the same of our cousins Con and Lucy. Lucy is supposed to talk to her sister Dru about it, as well. I have yet to mention this to Tray, Verina, or Justina, but I think they will be amenable to the arrangement.”

He halted. “I think I must do the same. I cannot imagine Celia alone here at Crestbrook when I go to town for the Season next spring and hunt for a bride. Why, I could be gone several months. It would break her heart to be separated from me for so long. Mine, as well.”

Lia thought her own heart would break with his words.

Obviously, the attraction she felt toward him was one-sided since he was talking about finding a bride next Season.

Hurt filled her, a physical pain, and she pulled her hand from his arm.

She crossed her arms and paused to look out over the lake, tears brimming in her eyes.

Above all, she could not let him see her shed a single tear over him.

Blinking rapidly several times, she hoped they dissipated.