Heart's Desire by Jacquie D'Alessandro

Author:Jacquie D'Alessandro
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-08-23T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR

The full moon cast a silvery glow on the path that wound through the gardens behind Albright Cottage. Not that Callie required any light. She could have navigated the acres of beloved trails with her eyes closed, using only her memory and sense of smell to guide her past the abundance of roses, lilacs, and the dozens of other plants and bushes that had flourished first under her mother’s loving hand, then Hayley’s, and now Pamela’s.

The garden normally filled her with a sense of peace, especially on nights like this, when a cool, flower-scented breeze caressed her skin and the calming silence was broken only by the occasional hoot of an owl. But no peace infused her now. Tonight, only self-reproach and despair filled her.

She’d completely failed in her mission to share a kiss with William, a bitter disappointment, especially since the evening had started with such promise. All during dinner, as they’d reminisced and laughed and caught up with each other’s lives, she’d secretly counted the moments until the meal would end, when she could put her plan into action. First a casual suggestion to stroll in the gardens, one she knew Aunt Olivia would beg off from as she disliked walking in the dark. Then subtly steering them toward the path leading to the lake, where they were assured complete privacy.

Kissing William.

And finally, finally knowing how it felt for her lips to touch those of the man she loved. Even if the moment ended in rejection, at least she’d have that one kiss. And if the moment didn’t end in rejection… if the kiss were to ignite William’s passions…

But then, to her utter horror, Aunt Olivia had brought up talk of an engagement. And in a blink, the laughter had died along with her plans. If she lived to be one hundred, she’d never forget William’s utterly blank expression after hearing that an engagement was imminent. During those few seconds when their gazes had locked, she’d searched his dark brown depths for some indication of his feelings but saw only emptiness. Then he’d turned away, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her, flooding her with despair.

Clearly, he believed she’d been less than forthcoming with him. And she couldn’t blame him, as Aunt Olivia’s words had made it sound as if Callie were both all but betrothed and very much in love—details one would naturally share with one’s dearest friend. Details which, to be fair to Aunt Olivia, weren’t completely untrue, as an engagement was expected, and Callie was very much in love. But she wasn’t engaged, and it was William she loved, and it had sounded all wrong, and dear God, everything was just such a dreadful tangle.

And then before she could gather her scattered wits, he was gone.

A frustrated sound she couldn’t contain burst from between her lips, and she all but stomped her way down the gravel path leading to the lake, making her wish she’d taken the time to exchange the soft-bottomed satin slippers that matched her gown for sturdier footwear.

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