Did it have to do with Livingston being there? Most certainly.
I haven’t heard from him for the past two days. And I wasn’t thrilled about that because I absolutely didn’t want him to bring up the topic of the kiss during the bachelor event. It needs to be addressed but in private. Away from prying eyes and listening ears.
I needed more time to think on the matter, too. Not that I wasn’t diligently thinking every detail over until there was nothing left to inspect. I wanted a heart-stopping kiss? Well, I received it. Livingston kissed like a man with nothing left in life but one last breath. He made every thought in my mind go dark and my muscles become lax, but under my skin, my nerves were alive, dancing throughout my body, searching for a way out. It was an exhilarating feeling, but I knew I needed to be prepared to see Livingston today, and for anything he might say. For us, a conversation is never simple. There are many routes, and I never know which one he might take.
“I must admit, it’s been quite some time since I’ve had a picnic,” says Taylor, one of my bachelors, pulling me out of my thoughts.
A small laugh escapes me as I hold the opposite end of the checkered blanket. Once it’s straightened out, we lower it to the ground. “It’s been many years for me, too. But change is nice, wouldn’t you agree?”
The idea came from Serene, but to be honest, I think Alex’s governess might have suggested it. She’s always going on picnics with Alex. I was afraid we were going to resort to writing ideas down on paper and pulling one out from a hat.
“Oh, I certainly agree,” Duncan says next to me.
“Me too,” Conrad chimes in.
The rest of the bachelors murmur their agreement, and I can’t help but think, if playing this bachelor game is what it took to have men agree with me, perhaps I should’ve done this years ago.
Everyone politely talks with one another, but after several minutes, the lack of food becomes apparent and so does Serene and Livingston’s absence.
“Where are Mrs. Lacroix and Livingston?” Conrad asks.
Taylor lifts his gaze toward Belgrave and points. “There they are.”
Turning my head, I cup my fingers over my eyes and squint. I can distinctly see the outline of Serene and the sun blazing down on her red hair, and beside her is the man who gave me the greatest kiss I’ve ever had. Livingston.
Why, oh why did it have to come from him?
I think that’s what I can’t stop thinking about. There are endless men in this world, and my heart-stopping kiss came from Livingston.
I didn’t know how to accept that. Did I pretend it never happened?
There’s a fluttering in my gut as he walks closer. In any light, Livingston Lacroix is truly a sight to behold. Livingston’s not dressed for a picnic. Livingston appears to have rolled out of bed, half-heartedly buttoned his shirt, and grabbed the first vest he saw in his room. His sleeves were rolled up. His stride was slow to keep in time with Serene. With the sun shining down, strands of his coal black hair turn chestnut brown.
He turns his head toward Serene and laughs at something she says. His brilliant white teeth stand out against his olive skin tone. That smile seizes my attention, pulling my eyes to his lips. He has good lips. Much softer than I expected. I wouldn’t push him away if he kissed me again.
I shake my head softly to rid myself of the thought and quickly look away as he approaches our group. I glance at him from the corner of my eye and find him blankly looking at me. His eyes move away, and I feel as though I’ve been dismissed.
“Don’t fret, Hiscock. We have everythin’,” Livingston says as he places the picnic basket on the ground. He rests his hands on his hips and looks around at the bachelors the way a king would at his peasants. With that scowl on his face, the resemblance between him and Étienne is impossible to deny. “Wouldn’t want you to lose your spot next to Miss Pleasonton.” There’s an edge to his tone that has Serene lifting both brows.
I stand along with everyone and dust my hands and keep a dignified smile on my face. “May I speak with you for a moment, Mr. Lacroix?”
“Ma’am, I would love nothin’ more,” he replies with his charming smile. My heart may skip a beat, but I don’t fall to his feet like the rest of the women have.
Livingston falls in step beside me immediately. His arm brushes against mine. Given the chilly reception he gave me, I expect him to move away, but he doesn’t.
I look over my shoulder to make sure we’re a healthy distance away from the rest of the party. Taylor’s become a reformed gentleman and is now helping Serene sit on the blanket. The other bachelors are talking amongst themselves. Although, Conrad is looking this way. Quickly, I turn away and face the thicket of trees. “I remember the days where you weren’t at the theater or interruptin’ a lunch or dinner I was at,” I say wistfully.
“I remember the days when I wasn’t contractually obligated to see over your dowry. Are we finished with this trip down memory lane?”
I take my hat off and errantly tap it against my leg. “You need to be civil today.”
Livingston looks mildly surprised. “I am civil. In fact, I’m the most charmin’ Lacroix in my family.” He finishes his words with a smile. His dimple appears, and my pulse quickens.
Nothing is amiss. This is the same banter you always have. Keep your composure, Rainey. Don’t think about the kiss, and don’t talk about the kiss!
“I presume your charm doesn’t extend to Taylor because he’s not a woman?” I ask.
Livingston snorts. “No, it’s because Hiscock is a cretin.”
Narrowing my eyes, I link my hands behind my back. The ribbon attached to my hat brushes against my legs. “Harsh words for someone you’ve never spoken with.”
“Don’t need to. My intuition tells me he’s a cretin. Now if we’re done, I believe I’ll join everyone else.” He dips his head and turns around.
I don’t want to discuss Taylor. Or any of the bachelors. All I want to discuss is the kiss, but I can’t. Livingston is the very picture of calm and cool, and the kiss seems to be the furthest thing from his mind. I need to appear the same.
“Don’t impede on my time with them,” I blurt.
Livingston stops and looks at me over his shoulder with a dangerous gleam in his eyes. I know this man quite well, and he doesn’t take kindly to being told what to do. We’re alike in that way. Slowly Livingston walks back to me, maintaining a healthy distance between us. But I almost wish he was an inch away. Chest to chest. The fire in his eyes feels far more intimate. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I did not impede on your time with Duncan, did I?”
Wordlessly, I shake my head. At this point, I’m tapping my hat against my leg rapidly.
“You had every chance to get to know your bachelor. If you did not, that is your responsibility. Not mine.”
I open my mouth, but he steps forward, and now we’re standing with only inches between us. He speaks first.
“Come now, Rainey,” he says, his voice coaxing, “I think you realize by now there will be some people who you just know you will connect with, and others you won’t. You can have twelve dinners with these bachelors, see all the movies that are available, and allow them to escort you around Washington Square until your legs can no longer move, but if there’s no connection, you can’t place the blame on me. When you know, you know.”