He had needed her, and he could confirm the wanting, because he saw it in her eyes that day and he wanted her as well, beneath him. His mouth came to hers in a bruising kiss. There was none of the gentleness from earlier. She did not care, she was still angry at the way he had dismissed her earlier. This was what she wanted and she responded in kind.
Eva and Eric joined Ben nearly an hour later for dinner. He gave Eric a knowing look. Dinner was actually fun, for the first time since she had arrived. Mrs. Butler had been quiet, clearly outdone by Ben’s charisma. Celeste, however, was the liviest she had seen her. Eva had actually caught her several time gazing at Ben longingly. How interesting she thought. Mrs. Butler retired early and actually left Celeste to her own devices. Eva grabbed her immediately after dinner.
“Celeste let us sit on the steps and look at the stars rather than go to the drawing room tonight.”
“Very well.”
Eva took her obviously besotted sister-in-law’s arm and led her out.
“We have never really had a chance to get to know one another.”
“Yes, please forgive me, I have wanted to talk with you, but Mother demands much of my time. In case we do not get another chance to talk like this. I need to ask you to please give my brother some leeway where his feelings for you are concerned. The relationship my parents had tarnished his idea of love. He does care for you, I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you, but it will be difficult if not impossible for him to ever show it.”
“Thank you for telling me, it helps.”
They sat quietly alone for a while.
“Celeste, speaking of love… I see you have an interest in Mr. Frasier.”
“Do you think my Mother noticed?”
“I do not believe so, why.”
“She is afraid if I marry she will be alone.”
“You do care for him though.”
“Yes, I always have.”
“You should follow your heart.”
“I am going to see if the men would like to join us.”
Eva ran in without giving Celeste a chance to protest. Eva knocked on the library door and poked her head in. Celeste and I decided to sit outside and look at the stars, would you two care to join us. Eric knew immediately she was up to something, but tonight he was game.
“We will be right there.” Eric replied.
Eva made sure Ben sat next to Celeste. Celeste was uncomfortable at first but quickly warmed and started talking to him. She wanted to give them some time alone, so she pulled on Eric’s hand, he looked at her, so she started walking backwards away from him. He followed, so she ran, ran and hid behind the garden wall. It was the first time since she had been at Lexington Hall that she felt giddy. He was different tonight. His guard was down. As Eric walked past she reached out and grabbed his arm and pulled him toward her. One look into his eyes in the moonlight and she knew she had him. She initiated the kiss but he expertly took over from there.
After making love Eric took her hand. “We should go and rescue Ben from my sister.”
“Or perhaps your sister from Ben” she replied.
Tags: Friendship, Love, Romance
