Love Lost in Time (Victorian Time-Travel) (14 page)

He moved his hands in a different direction as he circled them around her and pulled her up against is body. Her palms rested comfortably on his chest, and he was certain she could feel the quick beat of his heart. When her attention dropped to his mouth once again, his breathing became ragged.

“What are you doing to me?”
he whispered, lowering his head. “And more importantly, why do I not want to stop this from happening?”

“
Then let it happen,” she muttered before his lips silenced hers.

She slid her arms up to link behind his neck. They kissed with gentleness at first, hesitantly, before growing bolder. Excitement rushed through him, knowing she was enjoying this as well.

He yanked her against him and tightened her in his embrace, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. She didn’t kiss like a mere maid, yet he knew in his heart she wasn’t an experienced harlot, either. Her passionate kiss shocked his system as warmth spread through every nerve in his body. Desire strummed inside him, and he realized kissing her felt…right. Perfect. And he never wanted this to end.

T
he thundering footfalls on the nearby path warned Andrew that their private moment would soon be ruined.

Chapter Twelve

“Andrew? Miss Chapman? Where are you?”

The sound of Edward’s voice jerked Halle out of her dream-like state and she quickly broke the kiss. Andrew appeared as disoriented as she felt. Her cheeks heated from the tender moment they’d shared, and her lips tingled with awareness.

Breathless, she placed her fingers on her mouth, enjoying the spark of energy still flowing through her.

Swallowing hard, Andrew smoothed out the wrinkles of his waistcoat before clearing his voice. “We are over here, Edward.”

Blowing out a ragged breath, Andrew raked his fingers through his hair, his gaze still on her. She dropped her hand by her side as she gave him a soft smile, and within seconds, the worried lines in his face relaxed and returned the gesture.

“Oh, there you are.” Edward squeezed through the bushes to join them. His gaze bounced from Andrew back to her, then to Andrew again. “Why did you two disappear?”

Silently, she groaned. Could Edward really be that obtuse? Then again…he hadn’t made a very good impression on her since they met.

“Miss Chapman saw someone at the party that upset her greatly,” Andrew quickly answered.

I did?
Then it hit her… She’d seen Nigel! What could he be doing in this century? Did he really belong here, or by chance did Nigel somehow follow her back in time? Yet, if he’d followed her, wouldn’t he have been by the tree? All of this was so confusing, but the only way to know was to go talk to him.

“Indeed?” Edward asked, swinging his attention to her. “Who was it?”

Oh yeah…like she was going to tell Edward what was really going on! She kept from rolling her eyes as she prepared some kind of explanation.

“It was a former beau,” Andrew replied hastily. “He’d broken Miss Chapman’s heart a few months ago, and seeing him tonight upset her greatly, so I took her out for some fresh air.”

She stared agape at Andrew for a split second before realizing she needed to close her mouth. Apparently, he was more prepared for awkward situations like this than she was. She had to hand it to him, though…he was quick to think, especially after her mind was still numb due to that earth-rattling kiss. So, perhaps the kiss hadn’t meant anything to Andrew since he was the one coming up with the replies.

She looked at Edward and nodded. “Uh, yah, that’s who it was…a former beau.”

Edward gave her a sympathetic expression and stepped closer to her. “Will you let me know if this man causes anymore problems? I will certainly put him in his place.” He lifted his chin, trying to give the impression that he was her rescuer.

Halle wanted to roll her eyes again, and tried
really
hard not to do it this time…at least in front of him. Instead, she forced herself to smile. From the first moment of meeting him, she hadn’t liked—or trusted him. So why in the world was he acting like
he
was her protector now? “I thank you, my lord. That is very gallant of you to offer.”

He bowed slightly. “Miss Chapman, would you accompany me inside and allow me the privilege of having the next dance with you?”

In silence, she groaned. It would be terribly rude to turn him down, but she really didn’t want to dance with Edward. More than anything, she wanted to tell Andrew about the future…and if a kiss followed, that would be even better. The kiss they had shared a few moments ago was still fresh on her mind—and tingled on her lips—and she’d love nothing more than to pick up where they’d left off. Unfortunately, she didn’t have that option right now.

Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Yes, I would love to dance with you,” she answered quietly, wishing she could have said it differently.

Edward offered his arm, and she hesitantly took it. Before leaving, she peeked over her shoulder at Andrew. The scowl on his face as he watched her walk away with his brother made her realize that Andrew didn’t want her to leave, either. She supposed he wanted to hear more about Nigel, and especially how she knew about Edward and Agnes’s engagement when apparently Agnes didn’t even know.

Yet wasn’t he going to propose soon? When Andrew had told her about the events leading up to their family being attacked, he really didn’t give a time frame, but she figured by now Edward would have popped the question
, mainly because that was when the stable fire had happened. So had she somehow altered time by coming here?

Halle received no suspicious stares when she entered the ballroom with Edward. For a moment, she thought that there might be some curious people, especially since she left the ballroom with Andrew, but so far nobody seemed to pay her any mind.

Right away, she noticed Edward didn’t dance as well as his younger brother. They resembled each other with the dark hair and similar facial features, but Andrew’s shoulders were so much wider, and he was slightly taller.

Edward smiled at her, and it was hard to return the gesture. He really hadn’t been very polite to her since they met, and curiosity nudged her mind, making her wonder why he was being overly friendly now.

“I must say, Miss Chapman, for being an American, you dance rather well.”

She wanted to laugh, but she refrained. “I thank you,
my lord. I take it you have danced with many American women, then?”

“Only a few, but I certainly notice the difference with you. And might I add, you are much lovelier than the other American women I have met.”

She could have sworn his eyes twinkled. Okay…something definitely wasn’t right. Why was he acting this way? “What a flatterer you are, my lord.”

He shrugged. “I’m only telling the truth.”

For some reason, she didn’t believe him. “Well, I have your sister to thank for allowing me to borrow one of her gowns—and her maid for fixing my hair.”

He chuckled. “My sister’s maid isn’t
that
good, I assure you. If you were not a lovely woman, the maid wouldn’t be able to make you any prettier.”

She cocked her head. “
My lord, I wonder why you are being so kind. Pray, what have I done to deserve this attention?”

His eyes widened as panic etched on his expression. She’d definitely hit the nail on the head with that question. Now she knew he wasn’t being honest. But what was his game?

“I have come to see you in a different light, Miss Chapman. Because of your help with the stable fire yesterday, and because my mother and sister adore you and constantly speak of how kind you are, I have realized I had judged you wrongly when we first met.”

He might have judged her wrongly, but she
knew
Edward was the same as she first thought. “That is very kind of you, my lord.”

A few awkward moments pas
sed and during this silence, she swept her gaze around the room, looking for Andrew. He stood out like a beacon thanks to his towering height, his wide shoulders, and his incredibly good looks. His attention was on her and Edward, and a scowl marred Andrew’s face. He stood against a wall with his arms folded.

Hesitantly, she offered a smile, and within seconds, his scowl relaxed as the hint of a smile touched his expression. She wanted to sigh aloud from the knowledge that she had the power to make him do this, but didn’t dare in case Edward asked her about it…or heaven forbid,
he thought she sighed for his sake!

“So tell me, Miss Chapman,” Edward interrupted, “do you have a beau back home where you live?”

Not really wanting to tear her focus away from Andrew, she grudgingly looked back at Edward. “Actually, no, my lord. I was too busy—” She quickly snapped her mouth shut. Could she tell him she’d been going to college? Good heavens, what would Edward think of her then? And what would Andrew think?

“Too busy what?” Edward prompted.

“Um…well, for a while I was in mourning because of my mother’s death, and then when I went to stay with my cousin, I helped her quite a bit because she was with child and had another small child to care for.” She shrugged. “I just never found time to make it to social events to meet eligible men.” Good grief, she had never lied so much in her life! Hopefully, she wouldn’t go to hell for doing it now.

“So then how did you meet this other man…the one who is here tonight?”

“Uh, well, you see, he was friends with my cousin’s husband, Colin Firth. Colin is the one who tried to get us together, and although I came to care for this man, he had done some inexcusable things that I shall never forget, and I would rather not talk about him any longer.”

“That is understandable. I shall let you forget about this other man because I’m quite certain that during your stay with us, you will get the attention needed to land yourself a good husband. My family will look out for you and make certain you will not get your heart broken this time.”

“I thank you, but for now, I’m not interested in marriage.”

His eyes widened. “You are not?”

“Not until,” she lowered her voice, “we can find these people who want to cause your family harm and put a stop to it.”

It was as if a light was turned on inside his head, and it finally hit him to the real
reason she was here. “So true, Miss Chapman, and I’m very grateful that you are trying to help us in that regard.”

“Since I’m the only one that heard those two men—that I know about anyway—I believe I can be of some assistance.”

With great relief, the dance ended. She curtsied to Edward as he bowed, then he led her back toward Andrew. Her heart hammered quickly, and she couldn’t wait to be in his company once again. The excitement dancing in his eyes let her know he felt the same.

Just before she reached him, another gentlem
an walked up to Edward. “Pardon me, Lord Brimhall, but would it be permissible to be introduced to this lovely lady?”

She glanced from the man who was trying to be charming, to Andrew…who was back to wearing a scowl.

“But of course. Miss Chapman allow me to introduce Lord Putnam. My lord, Miss Chapman is a friend from America, who is visiting with our family for a short time.”

Being polite, she reached her hand out to shake his—before realizing that
she shouldn’t. The lord’s eyes widened in shock, but before she could withdraw, his hand shot out and grasped with hers. A charismatic grin touched his mouth.
Oh, great!
Now he thought she was one of those brazen women.

“Miss Chapman, my pleasure, indeed.” He lifted her hand and placed a small kiss on her knuckles.

“It’s nice to make your acquaintance, my lord.” She curtsied.

“Miss Chapman, may I have this honor of escorting you out for the next dance?”

She
really
didn’t want to, but rejecting his offer would not make her look credible at all—especially in Andrew’s eyes. She nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”

Lord Putnam kept hold of her hand and led her back out to the dance floor. She prayed she could remember all of the dances she’d been taught over the years of studying the Victorian era.

And that’s when the evening took off. After Lord Putnam, a different gentleman requested introductions before taking her out to the dance floor. Pretty soon there were a string of men waiting for introductions, and to dance.

She prayed that Andrew would come save her, but he didn’t. She kept an eye on him while she was kept busy with these other men, and noticed that the only other women Andrew danced with were his mother and
a couple of matrons. A silly little flutter bounced in her chest, knowing that he wasn’t interested in any other woman…not yet, anyway.

The next man to make her acquaintance was the very one she had spotted earlier.
Nigel.
He was introduced to her as Mr. Radcliff. She studied him as he walked her out to the dance floor, and was surprised to see he didn’t look as old as he had when she’d last seen him at the bed and breakfast. His hair appeared to have more color and much more full of bounce than when she’d seen him before.
Interesting…

“So Miss Chapman, I hear you are visiting the Harringtons.”

“You have heard correctly.” She watched him for any signs of recognition, but there didn’t seem to be any kind of spark in his brown eyes.

As he continued to ask her questions, she could tell that he did not remember her, which meant he hadn’t traveled with her when she came back in time. Of course, that could only mean one thing…he had somehow traveled forward in time when Andrew was sent.

Very, interesting…

* * * *

Andrew seethed inside. His mother had taught him manners, and it wasn’t polite to interrupt Miss Chapman’s enjoyment while she danced in the arms of several other men. When would those fops stop flocking to her as if she were a tasty morsel? Andrew wanted her all to himself. He tried to convince himself it was because he wanted to know the things she was about to confess before Edward showed up, but deep in Andrew’s heart, he knew the only reason he wanted her back was to watch the way her eyes sparkled when she gazed at him. When he caressed her cheek, he wanted to hear her sweet sigh. Heaven help him, he even wanted to continue the kiss they’d started. She’d only given him a sample, and now he wanted more. Having her in his arms while their mouths moved together in unison had been the most pleasure he’d had while kissing a woman. Even Lucy had never been so passionate…and she was an experienced woman.