in this foyer waiting for him.
"I never leave a beautiful woman waiting." He reached for her hand, kissing it, his eyes meeting hers as his lips touched her glove. Heat thrummed through her, and she took a calming breath. Her reactions to him were maddening and sweet, all at the same time. She loved what he did to her, but it frightened her too. There was so much at stake, her heart for one, should he be the type of gentleman who paid court during his time in town only to turn about and leave without a backward glance or offer.
The humiliation, the hurt, would be unbearable.
She fought not to grin like a debutante on her first turn about the dance floor. He held out his arm, and she allowed him to help her down the steps toward his carriage. The day was warm, not a cloud in the sky, a perfect day to visit and explore Edinburgh and its surrounding lands.
Her maid perched herself on the back of the equipage, and they were soon rumbling up the hill toward the ancient fortress. They could not get too close, only the Royal Mile, due to the castle being an army garrison. Lord Hastings pulled the horses to a stop, and for a moment, they stared up at the high walls, the shouts of men behind the building's walls barely audible.
His lordship turned the equipage about, heading back along the mile toward Holyrood House. The palace gates were too closed, yet the sight of the beautiful gardens beyond all but begged to be explored. "I wonder if the royal family is in residence." she said, staring at the magnificent building.
"I do not believe so," he replied, clicking his tongue to move the horses on. "We shall drive to Arthur's Seat. I assume you know where I'm taking you."
"Of course." Elizabeth adjusted the small blanket that sat over her legs, already enjoying herself immensely, even though they had not traveled far or seen too much. "We used to picnic there as children when we came to Edinburgh with Mama. I will admit that my seeing it again is long overdue," she said.
"Well then, I'm glad to be the one to reacquaint you."
His sweet smile made warmth flow through her veins. This courting business was really quite lovely, especially when one enjoyed being courted and found the man quite to her tastes.
No man would go to all this trouble to merely turn about at the end of the Season and leave. Oh no, it was looking almost certain Lord Hastings was leading up to ask her to be his bride.
Would she say yes if he did? She shot a look at him, inwardly sighing at the sight of his perfect profile. His lovely, dark hair was long enough for the breeze to flutter as they trotted through the streets of Edinburgh.
Yes, she would agree to marry him should he ask, and she would revel in every kiss and touch he bestowed on her from that moment on.
Her heart beat fast, as she imagined being his wife. If she were fortunate enough to have a marriage with affection and love like her brother and Sophie enjoyed, she would be well pleased. Could this be where they were headed? He certainly seemed to like her.
No more Lucky Lizzie for others, but for herself.
They made the base of Arthur's Seat on Edinburgh's outskirts just as the sun rose high in the sky. Lord Hastings jumped down, coming around to help her alight. She reached for him, placing her hands on his shoulders. A squeal rent the air when he pulled her from the carriage, lifting her as if she weighed nothing but a feather. His action slipped her against him, and, with devastating slowness, he dropped her to her feet.
Elizabeth felt every muscle in his chest, every flex of his arms, the warmth of his breath against her face, his closeness that made her forget herself, before her toes hit the ground.
Absently she heard her maid jump down, but she couldn't foster enough caution to step away and out of his hold. His gaze held hers, a promise of some kind lighting his eyes.
"This way," he said, taking her hand and starting up a well-worn path lined with the undergrowth from the trees.
"Have you ever been here before?" she asked him as they came to a clearing. Lord Hastings let go of her hand at the sight of other people and placed it on his arm