Page 13 of The Valentine Skates
He nearly missed the caped figure running out a side door of Wembledon. She was quick and had occasionally bested him in foot races when they were children, but he wasn’t going to let her get away this time. The stakes were too high.
Frederick loped behind her, easily catching up just as she disappeared into the copse of trees shrouding the pathway along the river.
She turned with a haunted look of fright, like one of the rabbits Emily loved to chase. “Go away. Leave before someone from the village sees you.”
He did not argue with her but moved close and pushed the cape hood down over her shoulders so that he could run his fingers through her silken hair. She didn’t struggle against him, but he could feel the erratic beat of her heart through the wool of the cape.
They didn’t speak. Words weren’t necessary. When he cradled her chin to sip from her lips, she deepened the kiss and grasped the lapels of his coat to pull him close. He was lost. He had no idea what Lili wanted in this moment, but he belonged to her, all of him.
Chapter Eight
August - Wheat Harvest
Lili tookin a deep breath through her nose and continued to plunder Frederick’s mouth with her lips and tongue. No matter how firmly she vowed to avoid him, every time they came together, the fire in his eyes and the warmth of his arms always undid her. Neither of them could keep from touching the other, despite the danger.
She pushed away firmly, her hands against his broad chest. “We have to stop.” Her voice quavered. “Perhaps I’m the one who should travel to London. Maybe then I could be strong and not rush into your arms every time you’re near.”
“But then I couldn’t be near you…and that would break my heart.” He gave her a rakish grin, and she pushed at his shoulder with a playful swat.
“Your heart is as strong as your hard head, Squire Meredith. I don’t think you’d be in any danger from my absence.” She fought off an answering grin.
“Aye. Your nearness causes any number of places on my body to harden.” He pulled her close again, and this time she didn’t push him away. Nor did she protest when his hands wandered to her bottom to press her closer. “Do you see what I mean? That particular part of my body gets like this at the mere sight of you.”
She laughed and pulled away. “Walk me down to the path before Emily misses her Papa.” Lili pointed to the fluffy lamb-like toy poking out from his waistcoat. “Somehow, I don’t think that’s meant for me.”
Frederick stared into deep, thoughtful brown eyes, almost a mirror image of his own. But that was where the similarity ended. Emily was much more clever than he’d ever remembered himself from his own simple childhood. He could almost hear the small gears turning behind the impish, saucy face she presented to the world.
“What’s that?” She pointed to his waistcoat.
He looked down and pulled at the edge of his garment. “What’s what?”
“You’ve got a sheep tucked inside your waistcoat.” She shoved her hands onto her hips as if daring him to contradict her.
He couldn’t keep a chuckle from escaping. “Oh. So it is.” He pulled the fluffy, mute creature from beneath his coat and placed it on the bed between them. “Mr. Withers and his rabbit friend sent me a message complaining that they need a rest.”
She snatched the toy away and snuggled the sheep beneath the counterpane with her. “Thank you, Papa.” Her voice was formal, but suddenly a small tear escaped and slid down her cheek.
He smoothed the tear away with a gentle swipe of his work-roughened thumb. “What’s wrong, Emily?”
“I want to come home.” Small sobs escaped her lips, followed by a fit of hiccups. Frederick sat on the bed and pulled his daughter onto his lap, rubbing her back, and whispering soothing words as he had when she was a toddler, until the weeping and hiccups stopped
“I thought you were happy here in Lady Lilianne’s home, Poppet.”
“But not if she doesn’t come to see me.” Another sob interrupted the stream of words tumbling from her mouth.
Frederick turned Emily to face him. “Who told you she’s leaving?”
“She did, this morning. She said things would be b-better that way.”
Anger pulsed from his chest and settled into his clenched hands. He was a man who prided himself on being able to fix things when they were broken. He couldn’t fix the messy state of affairs between him and Lili. He knew love was messy, but he’d be damned if he’d give up that easily. She and Emily were his only loves, the light and warmth that made his life worth living. He didn’t know what he’d do if his mere presence had caused Lili to run away.
He paused long enough to get his anger under control and carefully thought through his next words. “Where did Lady Lilianne say she was going?”
“London. She said she’d go to London until the doctor says I’m well enough to return home.”
At a tentative tap at the door, Lili turned from directing Margaret in which frocks to pack into her large traveling trunk. She knew Helena was on the other side and dreaded the conversation they’d have to have.
“Come,” she said.