To Suit a Suitor by Paula Kremser

Author:Paula Kremser [Kremser, Paula]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Published: 2016-11-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Julia had worked so hard to not allow herself to hope, and it had mostly worked. She had still enjoyed Henry’s company more and more each time she was with him, but she had convinced herself to appreciate his attention as friendship. When she arrived for a riding lesson with Henry yesterday, she had not thought about how she wished he would like her—at least not much. Her thoughts had been so distracted after her mother’s letter had arrived yesterday that she had been worrying more than ever about returning to London.

She could still hardly believe he had kissed her.

Martha had warned her there would be no point in hoping for Henry’s affections. The local young ladies she had met at Martock Priory had shown her there was too much competition for her to even be a contender. And her own self-doubt had robbed her of her confidence. But despite it all, Henry wanted her.

Yesterday, after he had kissed her, she wanted to run home and could barely restrain herself to walk. But she made herself slow down so she would have time to stop smiling before Martha saw her.

During their few riding lessons, Julia had repeated Martha’s warning over and over to herself. She had concentrated so hard on believing that Henry saw her the same as every other girl that she had been taken completely by surprise when he asked her if they could be more than friends. The sweetest question had caused an almost violent reaction in her heart; it had wanted to jump out of her chest. But the thing that stood out the most—the part she would never forget—was the look of uncertainty on Henry’s face. She had never seen him anything but completely confident. She hadn’t been able to speak but had held her ground when he leaned in and kissed her. Another surprise, but a most welcome one. She had wondered before what she would do when she was kissed. She smiled at the thought. In the moment Henry’s lips had met hers, there was nothing to think about. She had returned the kiss without a conscious thought. It was a perfect moment that she felt she belonged in, or perhaps it was Henry that she belonged with. Either way, she felt at home with his lips on hers. And she felt a happiness beyond any she had thought was possible for her.

She had convinced herself that Henry was keeping their lessons a secret because he didn’t want to court her, or be pressured into feelings he didn’t feel. But his kiss had given her confidence. It was a little odd that Henry wanted their courtship to be a secret. She’d never thought to court in secret, but if his mother’s interference was to be avoided, she could see why Henry would want things to be kept quiet.

After breakfast, but before she left on her morning walk, Julia was surprised by the sound of a carriage. Barrington was so quiet in the mornings, the sound seemed almost foreign.

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