Romancing a Wallflower

She jumped up from the chair and moved past them in a hurry.
“It seems we have the room to ourselves for a moment,” he responded.
“Yes…but if you think to importune me, sir, Chambers will be nearby, in the hall.” She turned and looked at him, hoping her eyes and tone gave the lie to her words as she whispered her response.
“Never would I—!” he began, before his frown lifted and he continued, “Would you enjoy a turn in the garden? I have a question to ask.” He ventured forward, tilting her chin up to him with his index finger. “Forgive me if I worried you; if you thought I would not be back. I had not considered your feelings enough in my absence.”
She stared down at the flowers, needing to hide the tears which threatened. Thinking they were gone, she looked up at him again.
“No, John,” she whispered. “I have been occupied,” she lied. A lump rose in her throat as she spoke. Yes, I spent the days worrying I would not see you again. I cannot tell you that, of course. Involuntarily, she sniffled. “I should thank you, sir, for sending Mr. Whitten. He made a friend in Cooper.” Somehow, she managed a short laugh. “He examined him all over and left us some medicines to help with his injuries.”
“Mr. Whitten is a good friend of mine. We met while fighting in France. His experience in animal science helped immensely with our horses. He assisted the regiment’s veterinary surgeon and kept many of us mounted, as he was quick to spot difficulties. Another friend of mine, a doctor, introduced us. Lord Maxwell Wilde, the Earl of Worsley, was present and the four of us remain as close as brothers.
Harlow reached out and touched her hands lightly, causing her stomach to flip.
“I am sorry to have neglected you, Lilian. I wish I could make amends for that.” He gave her free hand a light squeeze.
She recognized Clara’s footsteps approaching along the hall and pulled back. Drat! I could smell him, he was so close. Dangerously close. She shivered.
John stepped back as well, setting them at a proper distance just before Clara reappeared.
“Did ye tell his lordship we are leaving for Tintagel in an hour?” Clara could be impertinent, owing to the considerable licence she enjoyed with the family. Now Lilian suddenly understood all too well her mother’s difficulty with Clara’s effrontery and was forced to inhale a deep, calming breath.
“Clara, his lordship has asked me to take a turn about the garden with him. We will be in the rose gardens, should anyone ask. Cooper will act as my chaperone.” At that moment, Cooper walked in, presenting a comical sight. The dog’s teeth firmly gripped the large ball, which banged against his paws on the left side of his body, dragging and impeding his gait.
Harlow roared with genuine laughter. “He is barely bigger than his new ball—which reminds me…” Breaking off, John reached into his pocket and withdrew a smaller red ball, securing it in Lilian’s palm. “He may enjoy this. I recall that dogs enjoy sport.”
“Yes, he loves playing with a ball.” She chuckled. “Mama recognized that very quickly. She gave Cooper a ball with a blue tether attached so that I could throw it and retrieve it. Cooper enjoys himself immensely.” Lilian loved her dog. How quickly that had happened, she reflected. I do not want to discuss Cooper. I want to know more about him…about the two of us. Could we be a twosome? She realized she wanted them to be a twosome.
They opened the side door of the morning room and moved outside onto a small, stoned courtyard. A row of still-green Camellia bushes added an element of privacy to the area. A large elm tree provided shade, while a carpet of bright green moss grew from the bottom of the tree and extended to the lawn, where the sun broke through the leaves. Red and yellow rose bushes lined a stone walk which led to a small white gazebo covered with the foliage of a jasmine that had long since bloomed, which stood behind carpets of pink asters, purple verbena and white daisies.
“This is beautiful,” Harlow whispered close to her ear. “You have a very insightful gardener.”
His breath sent delicious shivers down her spine. “It is my mother’s passion, mostly. Williams does the heavier work, but you can frequently find my mother out here, wearing a large hat and gardening gloves. She says it is her way of painting.” She pointed ahead. “Would you like to sit in the gazebo? Mama had a small ramp attached to it so I might easily gain access to it. I love to read out here.” Lilian could smell his fragrance of bergamot and bay leaf, even amongst the blooms, and inhaled quietly. She enjoyed his nearness as much as she feared it would be short-lived. They were leaving.
Harlow pushed her chair into place beside the small iron one in the gazebo and turned her towards him.
“I have a few things I would like to say, if you will allow it.”
She did not want to hear bad news. She nodded her head quietly, steeling her insides for what he might say.
“I must leave Town for the Cornwall coast tomorrow, to hopefully conclude some business. I had hoped you might be willing to continue allowing me to court you.” His throat worked, but he said no more.
Her pulse quickened. “When will you be leaving?” She swallowed, struggling to control her excitement.
“Would you mind if I sat next to you?” he asked.
“Not at all.” She clasped her hands in front of her and glanced around, spotting Cooper chasing a butterfly behind the elm tree. Her throat pulsed wildly. The window to her father’s study opened to the garden, and she speculated if he was in there, but the curtains were closed. She imagined he had drawn them yesterday to keep the sun from overheating the room. This morning he had escorted