He lifted her gloved hand to his lips, lingering over the kiss, nearly forgetting they were not alone. She kept her eyes locked with his, daring him to be as bold as he could with the socially acceptable contact. He could feel the excitement racing through his veins.
Somehow he finally ended the kiss, giving her hand a light squeeze. "Lorelei the temptress. I shall always want to cause a scandal with you."
She shivered as she removed her hand, dropping it to her side.
"Auntie, are you cold?"
She managed a bright smile for her nephew. "Yes, dearest, just a bit." Her heated cheeks belied the words. "We should return home. Goodbye, Lord Hartstone. Mr. Mayfield."
"Do not forget the musicale," Martin said.
"I am looking forward to it," she said. She took Caroline and Henry's hands in hers and headed down the street. She turned to glance once more at Desmond.
He tipped his hat in acknowledgment. He hoped she could read the promise in his eyes. He was looking forward to every moment the future brought to them.
The smile she bestowed seemed to say she felt the very same way.
Lorelei sat on the chair next to her sister's bed. Beatrice was propped up against the pillows, eating a hearty soup Lorelei had prepared for her. The children scampered around the room, impatient to start making paper chains to decorate their house.
"So much for my efforts to reduce some of that excess energy they possess. I was certain the excursion into the village would have that effect."
"It is not your fault. Their supply is endless." Beatrice smiled. "I often wonder if it feeds upon our belief that we can deplete it."
Lorelei grinned. "I am more determined than ever to be the victor in this battle."
Beatrice finished the soup, handing the empty bowl to Lorelei. The children took that as their cue to jump on their mother's bed. They snuggled close to her, ignoring her warnings about catching her cold. "Did you enjoy going to the village today?"
"Yes!" Caroline nodded her head fiercely. "That man was handsome."
Henry's forehead wrinkled with confusion. "Which one? There were two men."
"The one that kept smiling at Auntie," the little girl answered with a giggle.
"Oh, yes," her brother said. "He smiled at her a lot. Especially when he caught her and held on to her."
Beatrice gave her a questioning look, accompanied with a big smile. "Seems like Auntie Lorelei has some interesting tales to tell me."
"There might be one or two." She lowered her voice. "Though I will save the best ones for when it is naptime."
"I am tempted to send them off right now."
"Shh," Lorelei said with a laugh, "you will inspire a mutiny if you do."
Fortunately the children were too impatient to sit still for long and jumped down from the bed, intent on finding another form of entertainment in the next room.
"I want to hear more of this mystery man that has you smiling secretively when you think nobody can see it."
Lorelei instantly removed the smile from her face. "I have no idea what you mean."
At her sister's knowing glance, they both broke into laughter. "You managed to escape my questions last evening—"
"Because you were sleeping!"
"And then you scurried off this morning with the children before I could learn any details about last night's event."
Lorelei narrowed her eyes in a mock glare. "It almost seems as though you do not appreciate my compassion for your illness. I did not wish to tax your strength."
"You are taxing my patience by avoiding my interrogation."
"Perhaps I am," Lorelei admitted with a grin. "I was not entirely sure after last evening that I would pursue anything with Desmond."
"Why not? Were his kisses so terrible?"
"His kisses were utterly perfect. He may have set a standard that all future kisses must be measured against."
"Then what is your hesitation about pursuing more of them?" Beatrice studied Lorelei for a moment, always able to see what Lorelei tried to keep hidden. "And what has changed your mind from last night?"
Lorelei repositioned herself in the chair, taking a moment to bring order to her jumbled thoughts, all because of the intriguing man she had met merely one day ago.
"Do not attempt any stalling mechanisms," her sister warned with a chuckle. "My children have used all of them on me, so I am quite experienced at waiting you out."
"I am not stalling. I am merely trying to determine how to explain myself." Lorelei grinned. "Last evening was delightful. I was an inadvertent recipient of Martin's matchmaking efforts—"
"He has had several successes."
"So I have heard. But he attempted to match Desmond with another young woman, who changed her mind, and I took her place. It seemed harmless enough, allowing me the opportunity to enjoy some kisses. All while memorizing the decorations so I could regale you with the details," she added.
"I would much rather hear about the kisses. Though with my husband gone, it is probably best you do not describe them. I might fall into a jealous rage and stay in my sickbed forever."
They both laughed before Lorelei asked, "He is supposed to return soon, though, before the holidays have ended?"
"That is the hope, but it is not a certainty." Beatrice gave her another knowing look. "And do not think you have distracted me from my purpose."
"I know, I know. You have a repertoire of skills from handling Caroline and Henry. Though I may try to add to their repertoire, just to keep you on your toes in future."
Her sister laughed. "I will start thinking of an appropriate punishment for you. Now, tell me what changed your mind about pursuing Desmond, deliverer of those kisses of perfection."
"You are incorrigible." Lorelei hesitated. "You know I am usually amenable to a flirtation, or an affair of brief duration. In truth, it is my preference."
"Will you ever be amenable to something of a longer duration? Such as marriage? Not all of them are like yours was."
"I understand. I have no issues with the institution of marriage. I am just not convinced I am suited for it. The initial passion is bound to wane, I suppose, but then the daily responsibilities start to wear on everyone until it becomes a chore merely to utter pleasantries. I would much rather indulge in a short amour, taking my leave before it has a chance to descend to that once more. That is one of the prime benefits of being a widow, after all."
Her sister's expression was a bit more compassionate. "I hope to convince you one day that not all marriages follow that particular path. You can see how mine is, after all these years, and there is still a great deal of love." She winked. "Not to mention passion."
Lorelei sighed theatrically. "I am fortunate that your husband is still away, or I might fall into a fit of jealousy at what the two of you share."
"You are even more fortunate that a man whose kisses are the best you've ever experienced wants to kiss you again."
"I am indeed. I plan to kiss him until every bit of mistletoe in this shire has given up its berries this season."
"And afterwards?"