Brianna was not sure if she should be frightened or anxious, but she felt a combination of both. "Does this not matter?" he demanded.
He took her face between his hands and placed sweet kisses across her cheeks and down her neck. Lost in sensation, she clung to him as if he provided the air she needed to breathe. When his wandering lips finally found hers, she met him anxiously, kissing him with everything within her. Each of his kisses were different, but they always ensnared her with an ache for some unknown delight.
Mr. Richard abruptly released her, taking a couple of steps back. His mesmerizing eyes continued to watch her as she took a moment to reclaim her breath as well as her wits. He didn't speak, but his pensive gaze stayed firmly fixed upon her. She could not speak, and his focus on her did nothing to help slow her rapid breathing.
"You were saying?" he prompted, as if the soul-shattering kiss never occurred. "About titles, I believe," he added at her blank stare.
"Yes," she replied, trying to recall what she said. Shaking her head, she cleared her thoughts. "I was saying that since my mother would not approve, we would have to be more selective about when to see one another."
Mr. Richard looked at her quite strangely, and she saw an occasional flash of anger darkening his face. She could not determine exactly what had upset him. However, the solution was simple: If he were not interested in an unconventional courtship, she would move on, and do her best to forget him.
"Let me make sure I understand this fully. You are only interested in me due to my lack of title, and you wish me to secretly court you. After that, what? You expect to marry at Gretna Green?"
"Well, your lack of title isn't the only reason I'm drawn to you. As far as the rest, I honestly have not thought it out that far. I know this is a very unusual situation, and I understand if you no longer wish to have an association with me," she offered, trying to give him a graceful way to escape.
However, he didn't seem to be grateful for her offer. His eyes narrowed and his beautiful lips drew into a tight line.
"What exactly is it about a title that you disapprove of? Is there a particular designation, or are all of them distasteful to you?"
"It isn't the name I dislike, merely the life I would have once I marry a titled gentleman. I have seen it with my mother, and I don't wish to end up living like that."
"Could you be more specific?" he pressed, the anger slowly draining out of his face.
"It's not one thing. It's a combination of many. However, I suppose my main complaint is the lack of freedom."
"What demands do you have on your time that can't be met under the normal circumstances of the day?"
Pausing, Brianna contemplated the idea of telling him, then said, "I love to paint. When I have a brush in my hand, inspiration flows freely, and I can't be rushed. I must give my artwork absolute attention, as I hope to be able to show them one day."
"Interesting," he said, lifting his eyebrows. "That is an unusual choice for a lady of your station."
"Sometimes I find it's better to deviate from what is expected. I imagine it adds a different quality to my work."
"I'm sure you have a wonderful talent. I would enjoy viewing it sometime, but I still don't understand why you are unable to fit painting into your day."
"Using my mother is a perfect example. As countess, she has many duties to attend to as well as many people who demand her attention. The invitations are relentless, and to refuse them would be improper and would end up snubbing someone."
"You are basing this all on a life in London. If you lived on an estate in the country, matters would be different."
"I can't say for certain as I have not spent much time at Ransley since Mother detests the country, but from my memory, it was not much improved from London. I'm simply trying to make decisions now to ensure my happiness in the future."
"I understand. However, I believe you are making choices based on misinformation."
"Why are you so troubled with my preferences?" Brianna demanded, tilting her head to one side. He was acting as if he thought she should marry a titled lord. She could not understand why he would discount himself thusly if he, too, were looking for a bride.
"I don't mean to push. I'm simply trying to understand your motivations and prevent you from making an uninformed decision."
"I appreciate your concern." She brightened at the thought of his worry. The fact that he would be concerned about her choices even to his own detriment gave her a little thrill, but she tired of having her decisions questioned. "I have spent a significant amount of time thinking on this."
"I can see that," he said, giving her a crooked smile.
"Now, I believe I have been absent long enough. My mother is surely getting worried, especially with that dreaded marquis being in attendance tonight."
"The Marquis of Stonemede still?" The corners of his mouth turned up in amusement.
"Yes, I have been able to avoid obtaining an introduction thus far, but Mother is persistent. I wish he would hurry up and choose a bride so everything could go back to the way it was."
"You make it sound so simple," he replied with exasperation, then immediately smiled. "Now, in light of the new requirements, if I wished to see you perhaps tomorrow, how would I manage it?"
"Well, in the morning, my governess and I will have an urge to walk through Hyde Park. During my visits there, I'm always happy to spare some time for my friends," Brianna said, then looked behind her, trying to hide her ecstatic smile. She glanced around, worried about the length of her absence. "I bid you a good night, Mr. Richard. It would be lovely to see you again."
Not wanting to appear too eager, she didn't wait for his acceptance and instead turned and walked away. Overall, the evening ended better than she had expected.
Richard sat on a bench in Hyde Park waiting for Lady Brianna, and he felt like a fool. He was welcome in every house in town and had mothers practically throwing their daughters at him. But here he was, lying about his identity to get closer to the one lady who would not accept him if she knew the truth. To make matters worse, he had his driver drop him off down the street to ensure she didn't see the Stonemede crest. He could only imagine the kind of talk such a sight would incur.
Being hunted for his title had never set well with him, and unfortunately being pursued for the lack of one didn't feel any better. When Brianna had informed him of her preferences the previous night, he had been furious, but not enough to stop his desire to see her again. His words had been dangerous, as he had no intention of courting her, but he had been unable to restrain himself.
Although having dismissed her for her wild nature, he had never felt such a strong connection to anyone. Due to this unusual occurrence, he could not walk away from her until he had an explanation for it, or until the feeling wore off. If her actions were any indication, he knew she was similarly affected, but she would be too happy to leave and not explore this due to something as small as his title.
Scanning the crowd, he finally spotted her walking down one of the main paths leading in his direction. Two women accompanied her. He recognized one female from the day he saw Lady Brianna at the shops, and there was also a much younger girl with them. Although still quite a distance away, he could feel the pull from her calling to him. At that moment, his title, as well as his plans for the future, was irrelevant. She was simply a woman, and he a man; a man who desperately wanted her.
He had to be careful when he approached her, as he had no desire for someone to remark on her outing with the Marquis of Stonemede. When her eyes met his, he stood and nonchalantly began to head deeper into the park toward a more heavily wooded area. He would leave it up to her to dismiss her guard and come to him, of which he had no doubt she would.
He didn't have to wait long before she began to make her way toward him. Glancing back, he saw the other two women walking in a different direction, and he, feeling impatient, owed his gratitude to her ability to separate from her entourage so quickly. Although he knew she was following, he continued until he reached the exact spot he sought out to avoid prying eyes. The trees were so thick, from most views the other occupants of the park would only be able to see one of them.
"Good morning, Mr. Richard. I trust you had a pleasant night?" she asked, coming up beside him.
"Please, call me Richard."
"All right, Richard, then you shall call me Brianna." Her smile put the sun to shame. "So how was your night?"
"Tolerable. Thank you for inquiring. How was yours?" he asked, wondering why she was wasting time on inane questions.