She stared at him. “How could you suggest that?”
“I have been acquainted with you for over fifteen years, and you do like to be busy and do things your way.” He smiled. “That was a compliment, in case you were not certain of my intent. I have a high regard for women who know their own minds.”
His gaze dropped and her breath caught. Why was he looking at her mouth? “Thank you,” she managed to choke out.
“Dance with me again,” he whispered.
He held out one hand and even as she slipped her palm over his instinctively, she wondered why she would do it. There was no music. Her hand rose to his shoulder as he wrapped one arm around her waist. Her breath caught as he tugged her closer, forcing her to look at him.
He held her gaze a moment longer than comfortable—and when he bent his head and brushed his lips across hers, Melanie was utterly surprised. And not just by the kiss, but by the fact that it was Walter George delivering it.
He’d tricked her!
Unfortunately, she couldn’t make herself move away from him.
She stood frozen in place, her feet rooted to the spot, her lips molding to his.
His kiss deepened to one of gentle exploration. Their lips clung and she couldn’t stop the sound that escaped her control.
He drew back, searching her face. A question lingering in his gaze that she had no answer to. She didn’t know what he was doing; she didn’t know what she was thinking to allow it either.
He cupped her face and brushed his thumb over her cheekbone. His touch was soothing, unhurried, reminding her of his gentleness of the day before.
His other hand firmed across the curve of her back and he sighed softly.
She blushed and glanced down at his chest. She’d rarely allowed a suitor such liberties, for good reason, and Walter was not one of those—never a suitor. In fact, she should stop him before he regretted his actions. She lifted her face to ask for release just as he pulled her against his body and sought her lips again for another kiss.
The kiss was deeper, overpowering, and Melanie clung to him for balance, swept away by an experience unlike any other.
She had allowed a kiss or two from one prior suitor but hadn’t particularly cared for the experience of being pawed at. But with Walter, she felt no fear, only familiarity. His tongue danced across her parted lips and she whimpered at the unexpected sensation.
She pushed at his chest firmly, at last remembering where they stood. Valentine and Julia could come back at any moment and she dreaded to think what they might say of her behavior. They might insist Walter had to marry her, just because of a mere kiss. She would refuse him, of course. Walter did not realize he was making a grave mistake.
They studied each other a long moment in silence. Words failed Melanie as she struggled to contain her panic.
Walter nodded finally then cleared his throat. “Thank you again for the dance. I don’t believe I’ve ever had a more enjoyable afternoon.”
His gaze darted to her lips once more and she trembled anew. What had she done? Anticipation and fear gripped her. She couldn’t decide which affected her more. Walter was just Walter. Her neighbor. Her brother’s friend. He had never once shown romantic interest in her before today. She had to say something cutting to send him away, but words stuck in her throat.
“Until dinner tonight, Mellie. Perhaps you might oblige me with another dance then.” As he departed the room, a tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth.
Melanie collapsed against the wall, acutely aware that despite the surprisingly pleasant kiss, she’d dread his return later. She didn’t want to disappoint him but she would. She had no business encouraging any man.
Seven
The trouble with eating with friends was that it was entirely possible to eat too much and not feel guilty about it. That lack of guilt was what had led to Walter’s larger size years ago. In recent times, exercise had combatted the worst of his past overindulgence, but hadn’t lessened his sweet tooth.
Much like his interest in kissing Melanie. Once tried, it was all he could think about.
He scraped the last of the Empress Pudding from his plate and glanced about him with a warm smile. It was good to be among friends.
Across the table, one of the most influential couples in Brighton was seated and appeared happy. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwood, an older couple with children grown enough to have children of their own, were not quite finished with the splendid dessert course the Mertons had provided. Julia and Valentine were clearly done and smiled at each other all too often. Melanie, his dinner companion, was keeping pace with Walter and had helped along the conversation when it had lagged all through the meal.
Of their earlier kiss, she showed no outward sign of reaction to him.
Mrs. Hartwood pressed a napkin to her lips. “You set a wonderful table, Mrs. Merton.”
Julia beamed happily as Valentine caught her hand. “Thank you, Mrs. Hartwood. You are very kind to say so, but you should also thank my dear sister. Without Melanie’s help, I would never have managed it all so well. My brother rarely entertained.”