The earl laughed. “You may have one more snowball than I, but I doubt even one will strike me.”
Jenny gave him a demure smile but laughed when he flung the snowballs at her. Both hit her, and Lord Dowding gave a cry of victory.
Raising his arms away from his sides, he said, “You’d best pray your aim is true, for I’ll—”
Before he could finish, Jenny marched across the line and pressed all three snowballs into his chest. “There,” she said. “I win!”
With a chuckle, he grasped her around the waist. But before he could gather her close, he let out a great cry as his feet came out from under him. They tumbled to the ground, Jenny landing on top of him.
Snowflakes fluttered down around them, but Jenny barely noticed them. She had found herself in a most unladylike—and compromising—position. Her mind warned her to save herself, but her body refused to pay heed.
Lord Dowding’s words did not make it any easier.
“You’re so beautiful, Miss Jenny,” he whispered, his lips within inches of hers. “Your wit and intelligence are greater than any other lady with whom I’m acquainted. I’ve come to the realization all over again that I most certainly need you in my life.”
His lips found hers, and she reveled in the intermingling of their breath. She could not have imagined a more beautiful setting, and her heart beat with all the emotions she wished to share with him.
“What are you saying?” she whispered, unable to look away from his smoldering gaze.
“That I can no longer hold back what I feel for you. I wish to court you properly. What do you say? Should we become a couple in truth?”
No words could explain the happiness that washed over Jenny. This was what she had wanted since the very beginning! To be held by this man, to feel her heart beat in time with his, and to commit to a future where they were together.
Her heart fluttered as she searched his eyes. Never had she been as happy as she was at this moment. Despite her happiness, she found herself unable to respond.
Not because she did not wish to do so, for she did. What kept her from speaking was her inability to find the right words.
Yeswas simply not good enough.
Everything that came to mind sounded too drab for such a wonderful occasion. She racked her mind for any way to express the feelings that caused her heart to swell, yet none came.
Until she looked into the eyes of the gentleman who held her. Then she knew what needed to be done.
The rule of all rules a lady should not break.
One that she had broken repeatedly. That would send her headmistress and any woman of good standing into a fainting spell. A way for a young woman to express what she felt.
Kiss him.
With a wicked smile, Jenny placed her hands on the earl’s chest, causing him to arch a brow at her.
“Does this answer your question, my lord?” she asked.
She then lowered her head and touched her lips to his. This time, the kiss was explosive, sending an aching in her stomach she was unsure how to ease. She thought she would fly away on the silky, gray-green wings of the goldcrest bird that sang in a nearby tree.
And like their dance in the abandoned house, Jenny wished it could last forever.
This time when the kiss ended, she found herself unable—or rather unwilling—to move. All went quiet, except for the matched beating of their hearts.
“It’s a pity you lost today, my lord,” she said, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked down at him.
“Did you break the rules by crossing the center line?” he asked, his brows raised.
“Oh, I did, but look where it got me.” She gave him a tiny peck on the lips. “Are you regretting my decision?”
His grin was answer enough. “As much as I would love to remain here with you like this until spring, I suggest we get out of the snow. I’d prefer to not become a statue others can find once everything freezes tonight. At least not in this compromising position. What will people say?”
She laughed and moved aside. He then helped her stand and began brushing snow from her coat.