Romancing a Wallflower by Anna St. Claire

Author:Anna St. Claire
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2020-05-18T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

F ive days later.

Lilian’s body jostled in the coach as it rolled across the uneven stone paving on Bossiney Road, taking them through the small coastal town of Tintagel. Five days in a coach had challenged the adults, but Cooper seemed to enjoy the attention. Remarkably, the puppy could conduct his business at main stops and added no strain to the trip. His presence lightened her mood considerably, although she thought more and more about the handsome Lord Harlow, wishing she had been a little more forward and kissed him again, having never been kissed before then. It seemed an age since they had left for London, and she wondered when she would see Lord Harlow again. He had shown an interest in continuing their courtship, she told herself. I will make sure to receive another kiss on his next visit. She found herself daydreaming about his last kiss.

Sitting for hours exhausted everyone, and even her books had begun to bore her. “It has been so long since I have seen Darby,” she murmured to herself. “I wonder how he will get on with Cooper,” she added, stroking the small dog in her lap.

“I suspect they will enjoy each other’s company. Danby enjoys running loose in the pasture. Cooper enjoys chasing and seems agile. When the puppy grows, he might keep up with your horse.” Lydia leaned over and tickled Cooper behind the ear.

“I apologize. I had not realized I had spoken my thoughts aloud.” Heat rose as she wondered if that was all she had uttered. Leaning down, Lilian gave Cooper a quick kiss on his head. “You will enjoy chasing Danby, little man,” she told him. “Danby has been with me a little longer, so you may have to give him time to get used to sharing. However, I think the two of you could be the best of friends.” She propped back and closed her eyes, conjuring up Elysium Manor. The drive to her home wound around a small lake, two-thirds of the edge of which was framed by an apple orchard. The scenery always brought to mind images her grandmama had given her in stories she had told her years ago.

According to legend, Avalon was the place they took King Arthur to recover after the Battle of Camlann. Grandmama had explained that Grandpapa had loved hearing stories of King Arthur when he was growing up and so he had renamed the property Elysium Manor because it gave a mystical aura to the name, and because the meaning of Avalon was very much the same as Elysium. Elysium had sounded more magical to him. Avalon and Elysium both meaning isle of apples, Grandpapa had planted large tracts of apple trees along the far side of the lake. It had been her favourite place to ride while growing up, especially during the summer. Danby had favoured being allowed to reach an occasional apple, which were always plentiful in the summer, from the trees.

She could tell when their black carriage pulled off the road and onto the drive leading to Elysium Manor, and heaved a sigh.

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