by Lord Blackburn.
The women admired the stream flowing by while John placed a basket of food and drinks near them. He sat down as well, inviting Jess over as he was lifting contents of chicken, ham, small red potatoes, cold slaw, and plum pudding out of the basket. Sampling the contents of food, they all commented on how good everything tasted. They laughed and joked, enjoying the afternoon on this sunny April day. Soon after the meal, John got up to collect his journal from the carriage while Miss Beckett stood, stretched and then walked adjacent to the stream’s edge. Catching sight of Jess further down the stream immersed in a book, Miss Beckett stepped toward him and inquired of what he was reading.
John strode back to Melissa, who still sat upon the blanket, only now her legs were extended out in front of her beneath a sheer summer dress while her upper body rested its weight on the palm of her hands. He sat down beside her with his journal in hand unnoticed, he realized, when observing the tilting of her face toward the sun. With her eyes closed and honeyed features taking in the sun’s rays, John’s concentration veered. His gaze turned steady upon her, becoming entranced by the tender curving of her slender neck and the modest outward thrust of a full bosom exposing its luscious curves.
Laughter came from Jess and Miss Beckett from down the stream, swaying John’s attention. He took a deep breath, bracing himself to concentrate on business again, when he returned his focus back to Melissa. Now the short sleeves of her dress were clinging to her elbows, allowing the front of the dress to expose even more creamy, round, and firm flesh.
He forced himself to cough to get her attention and when he did, his next reaction was impulsive. “Would you like to go for a swim?”
Melissa looked him over as if he were mad. “I hadn’t planned on swimming. I thought we were to talk about a schedule?”
He tried keeping his face as serious as possible even while comprehending how ridiculous he must have sounded. Cold water at this point didn’t seem so far fetched to him as he needed to calm himself somehow before Miss Beckett returned. Holding his journal sealed along his lap he carried on, continuing to tease her and throw off suspicion. “We are here to talk of a schedule. Spontaneity doesn’t intrigue you?”
“I wasn’t expecting it, I suppose. Besides, I didn’t bring suitable clothing.” She wasn’t ready to swim with her mentor, that involved too much personal contact. Their relationship was supposed to be teacher and student. What was he thinking? “Perhaps another time, when I’m prepared,” she responded as she returned his smile.
John couldn’t help teasing her some more. “By the way, wearing suitable clothing is just a preference, not a requirement,” he told her as the corners of his mouth curved upward and he almost laughed when he noticed her cheeks blushing.
It was frustrating the way he belittled her and thought to get away with it. Not quite sure how to express herself, she spoke the first thoughts that came to her mind. “I thought you were to teach me of racing horses, Lord Blackburn, not the ways of nature.”
His expression of surprise was apparent but he was quick, lifting the basket from the blanket. “Shall I fill this basket with water to put out the fire?” he asked in sarcasm, continuing to fuse her.
Oh, he’s got a lot of nerve, she thought, especially when he started it. “No, there isn’t any fire here,” she said.
“I was only jesting. I apologize for taking it out of context.”
There was a moment of silence between them before John offered something to drink. “Champagne?” he asked while holding the bottle in one hand and popping the cork with the other. He was trying to occupy himself with anything to distract him from her slipping sleeves.
“Oh,” she exclaimed, jumping as the cork popped off. While he poured the champagne, Melissa casually slid
The women admired the stream flowing by while John placed a basket of food and drinks near them. He sat down as well, inviting Jess over as he was lifting contents of chicken, ham, small red potatoes, cold slaw, and plum pudding out of the basket. Sampling the contents of food, they all commented on how good everything tasted. They laughed and joked, enjoying the afternoon on this sunny April day. Soon after the meal, John got up to collect his journal from the carriage while Miss Beckett stood, stretched and then walked adjacent to the stream’s edge. Catching sight of Jess further down the stream immersed in a book, Miss Beckett stepped toward him and inquired of what he was reading.
John strode back to Melissa, who still sat upon the blanket, only now her legs were extended out in front of her beneath a sheer summer dress while her upper body rested its weight on the palm of her hands. He sat down beside her with his journal in hand unnoticed, he realized, when observing the tilting of her face toward the sun. With her eyes closed and honeyed features taking in the sun’s rays, John’s concentration veered. His gaze turned steady upon her, becoming entranced by the tender curving of her slender neck and the modest outward thrust of a full bosom exposing its luscious curves.
Laughter came from Jess and Miss Beckett from down the stream, swaying John’s attention. He took a deep breath, bracing himself to concentrate on business again, when he returned his focus back to Melissa. Now the short sleeves of her dress were clinging to her elbows, allowing the front of the dress to expose even more creamy, round, and firm flesh.
He forced himself to cough to get her attention and when he did, his next reaction was impulsive. “Would you like to go for a swim?”
Melissa looked him over as if he were mad. “I hadn’t planned on swimming. I thought we were to talk about a schedule?”
He tried keeping his face as serious as possible even while comprehending how ridiculous he must have sounded. Cold water at this point didn’t seem so far fetched to him as he needed to calm himself somehow before Miss Beckett returned. Holding his journal sealed along his lap he carried on, continuing to tease her and throw off suspicion. “We are here to talk of a schedule. Spontaneity doesn’t intrigue you?”
“I wasn’t expecting it, I suppose. Besides, I didn’t bring suitable clothing.” She wasn’t ready to swim with her mentor, that involved too much personal contact. Their relationship was supposed to be teacher and student. What was he thinking? “Perhaps another time, when I’m prepared,” she responded as she returned his smile.
John couldn’t help teasing her some more. “By the way, wearing suitable clothing is just a preference, not a requirement,” he told her as the corners of his mouth curved upward and he almost laughed when he noticed her cheeks blushing.
It was frustrating the way he belittled her and thought to get away with it. Not quite sure how to express herself, she spoke the first thoughts that came to her mind. “I thought you were to teach me of racing horses, Lord Blackburn, not the ways of nature.”
His expression of surprise was apparent but he was quick, lifting the basket from the blanket. “Shall I fill this basket with water to put out the fire?” he asked in sarcasm, continuing to fuse her.
Oh, he’s got a lot of nerve, she thought, especially when he started it. “No, there isn’t any fire here,” she said.
“I was only jesting. I apologize for taking it out of context.”
There was a moment of silence between them before John offered something to drink. “Champagne?” he asked while holding the bottle in one hand and popping the cork with the other. He was trying to occupy himself with anything to distract him from her slipping sleeves.
“Oh,” she exclaimed, jumping as the cork popped off. While he poured the champagne, Melissa casually slid
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