Enchanted Summer: (Regency Romance) by Gloria Gay

almost faster than when he uttered them.
    “I have a meeting with my agent tomorrow that will take most of the day but perhaps the day after tomorrow, Miss Meade?”
    “Yes,” Celia said impulsively. “I would like that.”
    “At the same time I met you at the crescent? It was a little before ten o’clock.”
    “Yes, my lord, at the same time,” Celia said, trying to steady the tremor in her voice.
    They walked on in silence.
    At the edge of the crescent she turned to him, "There is no need to accompany me all the way back, my lord.” It would not do to have anyone see them coming out of the woods together.
    "Yes," Merrick agreed, seeming to read her thoughts. “Then we shall meet at the crescent. I—I’m very glad you and your family moved here from London, Miss Meade. You can’t imagine how glad!”
    “I am too,” said Celia, and added, “Thank you for a most enjoyable walk, my lord. I could not have hoped for a better introduction to a place that is one of beauty and retreat."
    "You are welcome in our wood at any time, Miss Meade," said Lord Merrick quickly. "There are several walking sticks at the Hall that no one uses. If you want I can bring one for you next time."
    "Yes, that would be fine,” said Celia, “and thank you."
    "I’ll see you again the day after tomorrow, Miss Meade.” He seemed reluctant to part, as was Celia.
    “I hope you will soon meet my family Miss Meade,” Lord Merrick said, reaching for her hand, which she held up to him in the same moment when he had reached for it. “I’m anxious for you to know my father, my four sisters and my Aunt Lavinia.”
    “I look forward to meeting them, my lord.” Celia felt a tremor in her voice and hoped he had not detected it as he kissed the top of her gloved hand, sending a skittering tingle all along her arm.
    They finally parted and Celia walked back to the house lost in thoughts of Lord Merrick. The first time she had seen him she had been drawn to him, but this second time? She had felt the force of his attraction as a huge gale that engulfed her as if she were a breeze that succumbed. She could hardly wait for the day after tomorrow when she would see him again, as she suppressed thoughts of why she shouldn’t see him to the back of her mind.
    Then as she crossed the gravel driveway she saw a carriage arriving and went to greet her Uncle Worth, returning from Liverpool.
    "Oh, dear Uncle," said Celia kissing him impulsively. "Thank you so much. I have already become fond of that little wood. I anticipate countless happy hours there."
    "Good, good," said her uncle pleased, as he pressed his niece's hand warmly. "Caroline and Sylvia don't care for walks in woods, they dislike getting bracken on their shoes and leaves on their hair and clothes. They have never gone into it that I know of, and Tom would rather be someplace else than at home.
      "I suppose you have been hours talking with them already, eh?"
    "The truth is," said Celia tentatively, "that both Cousin Caroline and Cousin Sylvia are out, Uncle, and are not expected until this evening. But the servants have made us welcome and comfortable, and I am sure Mama is quite rested from the journey."
    "Caroline and Sylvia were not here to receive you yesterday?" asked Worth, the color rising in his face. "And Tom,” he asked "is that jackanapes out too?" 
    "I have not heard from him either."
    "All three will hear from me, my dear, you have my promise."
    "Uncle, dear," said Celia softly as they walked back to the house together, "Both Mama and I feel it would not be wise to have our cousins reprimanded. It may set a bad tone to our stay here with you. Perhaps it could be said in a way that they would not feel resentment toward us. I assure you, Uncle, we are not at all upset. We can understand that they have their lives to lead and cannot be very happy at having them upset by an invasion of relatives."
    "You are certainly more sensitive than all three of them put together, my dear.