The Risk of a Kiss

Chapter 4

After a few dances with young men selected by her aunt and mother who were even more soft and pillow-y than the ‘suitable men’ her father kept shoving on her at home, a tall lanky boy walked up to Sarah and requested a dance. Knowing she should refuse since he was not properly introduced she agreed just out of desire to dance with someone nearer her own age. His hair was plastered into the current style and his cavart was an elaborate waterfall of fine white cloth. He held the masterpiece together with a small jeweled stick pin. The rest of his attire was elegant and fitted to perfection. Sarah was surprised that he actually was a pleasure to dance with, smooth and light on his feet. When the song was over he led her to a corner and began to describe his home. Sarah mind wondered as he gave long and detail description of the number of rooms in the house and carriages he kept just in case one needed more than one carriage at any given time. As she scanned the room seeking a quiet escape when all of the sudden he leaned in and kissed her. Sarah jump back and slammed her head into the wall. She saw stars from the impact of the wall and her head. She looked about her to see who had witness the kiss. She knew enough of England to know young ladies do not kiss boy, especially in public.  No one seemed to have noticed. The gentleman was beaming down at her. She felt flustered and lost and gave a clumsy curtsey and escaped to the balcony. 

Realizing that she was surrounded by young (and not so young) people trying to find a moment alone, she walked down the stairs into the garden. The night was cool and bright with the full moon shining down. She walked further into the garden escaping the music and wondering eyes. She found a stone bench and sat down. She leaned her head back onto the wall it sat in front of and closed her eyes wishing this night would soon be over. She opened her eyes to the sound of someone clearing their throat. For a minute she thought it was the young man who kissed her in the ballroom. When she looked up she saw a man half standing in the shadows. From what she could see he was not as young as the man she was dancing with earlier by handsome nerveless. His dark hair was longer and curled against his face. There was no telling what color his eyes were. They appeared black. His outfit was a mess, wrinkle and ill fitting. But it did not hide the muscles the lay underneath, this was not a man of leisure. He was probably some ones poor country cousin visiting.   He strolled over to her and offered her his hand. “Hiding from someone in particular?”

She took his hand and stood in front of him. “No, everyone in general.”

He got a look of understanding, “Ah, you must be the American.” She groaned and nodded. He laughed, “You should not be out here alone. It is not proper for a young lady to be out in the garden without a chaperone.”

She looked up at him annoyed. “I rarely do what I am supposed to do.” She stated and dared him to tell her to go back inside.

“In that case, would you like to take a turn about the garden with me?” He offered her his arm. She looked into his eyes and measured whether to trust him or not. Finally she gave a shrug and took his arm.

They walked in amiable silence for a minute of two before he finally spoke, “So, why are you here?”

That was the question that plagued her for the last month. She thought about it and finally answered, “field hands.”

She caught him of guard. He smiled holding back the laugh that rumbled in his chest, “All of them or just one in particular.” He asked attempting to keep the humor from his face.

“Just one of them.” She said with a soft sing song voice.

“Ah,” he stated, “was it love?”

“No, not love. I just preferred him to the short fat men of means that seem to be preferable to my father.”

“He probably just wanted to make sure you were taken care of.”

She eyed him was he a spy for her father, “Probably, but if he wanted an obedient daughter he should have raised me to be less opinionated.”

“The problem with most women,” He smiled down at her. He touched her lips with his finger to stop the argument before it escaped. He then added, “They are not opinionated enough.”

She stopped walking and looked at him. “Really?” she asked suspiciously.

“Yes, I find it boring to always have someone always agreeing with me and only talking of the weather or the latest gossip from London.”

“You do not go out in society much, then?”

“What gave me away?” He looked down at his outfit,

She giggled, “Nothing.”

They neared the front of the garden. The young gentleman looked down at Sarah. She was not short like many of the fashionable ladies. He was only a few inches taller than she was. He paused and led Sarah to face him. She looked up into his dark eyes. With a sudden look she lowered her gaze to his lips. She saw them turn into a grin and in a smooth movement her lower his head and covered her lips with his. This was not like the sloppy sudden kiss from the ballroom. It was a practice patient kiss that stole her breath. As quickly as the kiss started it ended. He turned her slightly and led her the remaining way. He then turned and bowed over her hand and gently kissed it, “I do believe it is best if I take my leave now. I would hate to tarnish your reputation before you have a chance to experience the social whirl.”

She smirks back at him, “Do you plan on tarnishing it later?”

He straighten, gave a devilish grinned and looked into her eyes, “I guess we shall wait and see.” With that he turned and walked to the open doors to the ballroom leaving Sarah slightly stunned and realizing that he never told her his name.