We arrived back at the Edgehills well before supper, I was looking forward to having some time to myself after such an emotionally exhausting morning. I smiled noticing that Leah was waiting eagerly at the door, although I knew it was not for me, but for Alice. I held the puppy gently as Lord Edgehill exited the carriage and then I passed her to him, Leah's hands trying to intercept the bundle of fur. "Do be careful, Leah," he sighed letting her take the pup, "she's had a long ride."
"Oh, she's darling!" Leah cooed taking her to the grass.
"You could have held her all the way home, if you joined us," I implied with a smirk.
"That's true," Lord Edgehill agreed helping me down, "how was that painting lesson?"
"What painting lesson," Leah began and then caught herself, "oh, it was very well. Anna has a great eye for painting."
"Anna?" Lord Edgehill asked with an eyebrow raised at his daughter, "I thought you were helping Sarah."
"That's what I meant," she giggled scooping up Alice and hurrying into the house.
"I think we've been fed a load of codswallop," Lord Edgehill laughed as he escorted me inside. "What do you think she's been up to while we were away?"
"Actually it's probably my fault," I confessed, "I had told her that I was looking forward to a long ride with her after I realized that she was Thomas' accomplice."
"Oh?" he said looking down at me, he had a bit of a knowing smirk to his face. "It's good to see them getting along so well again." Once I set my things on the table he turned to me with an informal bow, "Thank you for your company this afternoon, Miss Woodbridge. It was most welcome."
"I enjoyed it as well," I smiled and curtsied, not knowing what else to say. There was a moment of silence where it seemed like he was going to tell me something but then the puppy came running around the corner and slid into his boots with Leah not far behind.
"What are you doing to my princess?" he laughed bending down to pick up Alice.
"We were just playing," Leah said, "Wait, I thought I was your princess!"
"A man can have more than one princess, can't he?" Lord Edgehill looked to me.
"Yes, that's very true," I nodded, "however he should only ever have one queen."
Lord Edgehill's smile twisted in appreciation, "One is usually all we can handle."
Leah looked a bit dumbfounded at us before she gave herself a shake, "Oh, Miss Woodbridge, there was a parcel delivered for you. I put it . . . in the sanctuary," she whispered the last three words conspiratorially.
"Thank you," I offered in a hushed tone and headed towards the stairs, "Are you coming, Leah?"
"Not yet, I'm still meeting Alice," she giggled as the puppy tugged on a ribbon she was holding.
On my way to our hideaway I stopped by my room, looking inside to see if Faith or any of her belongings were here yet. Nothing, so I set my reticule on my dressing table and then returned to the hallway. The sounds of Leah's giggles and the puppy's barks carried throughout the house, they were very happy noises.
As soon as I opened the door to the practice room I noticed the box sitting on the sofa. I rushed to it and put it on my lap, letting my fingers glide over the ribbon before taking out the card.
You plague my mind
It was in the same handwriting as the notes I found earlier, Thomas' hand. I pressed the card against my heart before setting it down so I could open the package. There were dozens of bunches of violets; I barely realized that giggles were escaping my lips.
"I take it to mean that you like them?" I was startled until I recognized the voice, but I turned to find him. Thomas was leaning in the corner, barely visible as darkness was taking over the room.
"I thought you were going to be gone for at least a day . . . " I started as he sauntered to the sofa, a contented look on his face.
"Plans changed," he said sitting next to me, "So I made better use of my time."
"Collecting violets?"
"And this," he said holding out an ornate decanter.
I set down the box before I cautiously took the glass, it looked so delicate with the embellished details covering it in entirety. "What is it?" I asked in awe.
"Essence of violets," he said quietly, watching me with anticipation, "Do you like it?"
I took out the stopper and moved the bottle under my nose, inhaling the delicate scent I closed my eyes, "It's beautiful," I whispered, "How did you find it?"
"I didn't," he said taking the decanter from me and tipping it slightly, then he took the stopper and ran it gently down my neck, "I had it made."
I let my eyes wash over him as he set the glass carefully on the floor, all I could think of was that I wanted him to kiss me again. The tender kiss we shared in the corridor . . . in front of his sister, I wanted to feel that again. When he glanced back at me, I was at a loss for words, I could feel my heart beating fast. He leaned closer and I fought the urge to meet his lips, instead of him moving to kiss me I felt his warmth as he lingered over my neck and inhaled deeply, "It suits you," he whispered as he gently traced a finger along my jaw, causing me to turn to him.
I closed my eyes as I felt his hand, warm and sure, move to my neck as he brushed his lips over mine. "You're a terrible tease," I breathed.
His lips tightened into a smile, "I've just been thinking of you all day," he said, his voice low, "waiting for a moment like this." I felt a snicker rise up, "Are you laughing?" he asked pulling away slightly.
"No," I whimpered noticing he was not as close, "It's just if you were waiting all day . . . then why not just do it?" He let out a single breathy laugh before he brought me to his lips, again the kiss was tender and sweet, I did not want it to end.
The creak in the floorboard alerted us that someone was about, so we reluctantly parted. He ran his finger along my jaw again, "You are a very bad influence on me," he said.
"How?" I squeaked with a laugh.
"Do you know how hard it is to leave you?" he sighed letting himself fall back into my lap.
"Then don't," I said, hesitantly letting a finger trace along one of his curls.
His eyes closed at my touch and he exhaled contentedly, "Once I settle this business, you won't be able to get rid of me."
"Do you promise?" I smiled, letting my fingers brush through his hair.
"I do," he sighed.
"Why was it not settled today?" I asked studying his beautiful face.
"The bloke I was supposed to meet never showed."
"Could you find someone else to help you?" I suggested.
"No," he said looking up at me, his smile faltering for a moment, "it's him or no one . . . he's rather like a brother."
I nodded in understanding, "then you must find him . . . so you won't leave me as much." His smile reappeared and I felt his hand on my neck again, luring me down for another kiss.
"We've certainly missed you . . . " Leah's voice broke the silence as she opened the door, stopping suddenly. Thomas and I both looked up to see his sister standing in the doorway with Faith. Leah froze and turned shakily towards her counterpart, Faith was flabbergasted. It took but a moment before she turned and hurried down the corridor.