Then he did the one thing he had sworn he would never do.
He kissed Pamela.
Vanessa watch wide-eyed as the couple practically devoured each other right in front of her. She was both shocked and relieved. She had suspected the depth of their passion, but knew Jonathan well enough to know he would never have acted had not Fate taken a hand.
As for Pamela, she could see that the girl's head had been turned by her success at Bath, much in the way Charlotte's had been when she had first come out. Thomas had proven to be a steadying influence upon her, and they were now the happiest of couples. The traumatic events of last spring had been unfortunate in some respects, but everything had worked out for the best. At least there no longer had to be any fears for the safety of Jane Eltham and her daughter Sophie at the hands of the evil seducer and blackmailer Herbert Paxton.
Thomas and Jonathan occasionally spoke of Jane, so she knew the woman would never recover her health after all she had been through. There was of course no question of marriage to Jane now. What was Jonathan holding onto? she wondered. A childhood ideal of love with as much substance as spun sugar? And surely Thomas would never expect his friend to honor the engagement and remain single? It would be just too cruel.
Jonathan was a loving and generous man. She could imagine him happy, with an adoring wife like Pamela and a house full of children.
Life was just so unfair sometimes. She shuddered to think what would have happened to her if her own dear Clifford had not come to her aid when her own half-brother had tried to gamble her away to his sottish friends, the better to get his hands on her fortune. How he head tried to poison her, and had murdered her mother right in front of her eyes when she had been a small child. She still awoke screaming at times, recalling how Gerald had tried to drag her to her death over her own balcony. How she had nearly lost her life, and her beloved.
She clasped her stomach to still her trembling. It was all right now; the danger was past. She and Clifford had a wonderful life, and little Arthur's had made their happiness complete.
She rubbed her stomach again, and decided to tell her husband the news when she got home. They were to be blessed again. She was certain of it now, and she had got through the first four months without incident, or even any illness in the mornings. She would tell Clifford tonight. No sense in putting it off any longer. Carpe diem. Seize the day, for certainly happiness could be very fleeting, and often a matter of pure luck or chance.
Though Jonathan would disagree with that pagan sentiment, she noted with a smile, watching the couple kiss. Anyone who heard his tale of how he had come to his ministry would know that Jonathan was convinced a beneficent God watched over them, performing miracles every day. Well, chance or God had thrust Pamela into Jonathan's lap, and she was pleased to see he was making the most of it.
Jonathan's blood surged both above and below his waist. His pulse pounded in his brain as his lips feasted upon Pamela's, begging, pleading with her for love, understanding, compassion.
He pulled her tightly to him, and she melted into his arms bonelessly. There was no struggle, nothing but a slight surprise before she started kissing him back as though she were trying to bestow her whole soul upon him. Grant him ownership of her body, mind and spirit.
His mouth slanted across hers to deepen the kiss. He stroked his hands up and down her slender waist, seeking to draw her in still further.
Oh, thank you, Lord, was her only thought as she plummeted into the whirlpool of passion only Jonathan's kiss could create.
This was how it was meant to be between them, she was sure. Nowhere else could she feel so joyous. No one else could stimulate her so. She looped her arms around his neck. Chest to chest, waist to waist, she merged as one with the man she loved body and soul.
And he loved her, she was certain of it. Surely no man could ever kiss with such devastating thoroughness, such passionate intensity, and merely be toying with a woman. At last, she had his true feelings from his own lips, as they fastened upon her own and promised eternity.
Vanessa eventually forced herself to perform her duty as chaperone. She cleared her throat, though she continued to sit with her hand over her eyes. "Jonathan, Pamela dear, we'll be back at the house shortly. I suggest you both adjust your clothing accordingly."
The couple broke off the kiss at last, and stared at each other and then Vanessa, mortification etched upon their countenances. Pamela tugged up her bodice and pulled down her skirt, while Jonathan began to rearrange his shirt, stock and cravat.
"Come now, it's really not so bad. You'll make a wonderful couple. I can see some obstacles to your happiness, but with patience and candor, you can overcome them."