The Unthinkable Read online

  He was so different from what she’d expected of a man of his rank. Blessed with wealth, position, and incredible good looks, rather than inspire envy, he wore his largess as one deserving of such gifts, benevolently bestowed rather than entitled. The good humor that she’d admired from their first inauspicious meeting had not waned, but rather seemed to permeate every corner of his character.

  And this amazing man was courting her: singling her out at the weekly assembly balls, attending the same small soirées as she, calling at Kington House every day. Everyone knew. Though only a few knew just how intently. She was floating on air. How could anyone be this happy? It was perfect. He was perfect. There was an ease of conversation with him that she’d never experienced with another man, not even her brothers. It felt as though she’d known him her entire life.

  As promised, he’d called the very afternoon of their first “chance” meeting along the footpath of the castle’s park. Even her parents, initially hesitant because it had taken him so long to call, had begun to consider the possibilities.

  With Lizzie and Fanny’s assistance (it hadn’t taken long for the sixteen-year-old girls to become fast friends), there had been many more chance meetings on the country lanes of Thornbury. The girls delighted in the romantic intrigue and they fancied themselves quite the matchmaking mamas. Even now, the two little scamps were off “foraging berries” (out of season no less), while Genie fished and Hastings relaxed in the sun.

  She’d never had so much fun; the clandestine meetings only heightened the excitement. Yet a twinge of uncertainty niggled her conscience. Being alone with him was highly improper. Her parents would be horrified. But, she reminded herself, she and Hastings weren’t doing anything wrong. Hastings was the perfect gentleman. He’d never even attempted to kiss her, though she knew he wanted to. But Genie had never done anything that might cause her parents displeasure before, and the guilt chafed uncomfortably at times. It was all for a good cause, she reminded herself. Soon he would ask for her and her conscience would be blissfully unburdened.

  The sun beat down on his fair head, his discarded hat and cutaway coat strewn in a heap along with her gloves, bonnet, and spencer. He lay stretched out on a blanket amongst the remains of their picnic. He’d rolled up his shirtsleeves, revealing tanned, muscular forearms covered by a thin layer of fine golden hair.

  She never tired of looking at him, memorizing every detail no matter how infinitesimal. Savoring each day as if it could be the last. He looked so peaceful, so young and handsome, basking in the unexpected warmth of a sun-drenched day.

  Despite the unusual patch of dry weather, the days were getting shorter. Summer’s last hurrah was upon them, and Genie desperately wished she could halt its determined march. She never wanted this dreamlike existence to end. Too soon, the cold gray rain would descend, and there would be no more picnics along the bucolic banks of the river Severn.

  “Hmm.” She put her finger to her chin and tapped, contemplating his question. “Since your parents are hosting a soirée tomorrow evening for your house party, it must be a quick walk about the park. I shall need time to prepare; I want to make a favorable impression.”

  “They’ll be enchanted,” he said softly, his eyes lingering on her face. “What’s not to love?”

  Genie’s heart jumped to her throat. She tried not to show how affected she was by his careless use of the sentiment that she felt so strongly. Like a moth to the flame, she was irresistibly drawn to this vibrant man. But the deeper her attachment grew, the more she worried about their difference in rank. “Your brother does not approve of me.”

  Hastings frowned, something that did not occur very often. “That’s not true. Henry is just reserved and so damnably serious. He feels the pressure of being heir.” He shrugged. “He merely envies my freedom.”

  Genie remained unconvinced. It was more than that. The somber viscount, so like his brother in looks if not in temperament, looked at her strangely, like he pitied her. It made her distinctly uncomfortable.

  “After Oxford we should have had our Grand Tour, but with the war…” He stopped. “There has not been much time to… how shall I say… enjoy the foibles of youth. Much is expected of him, he will be responsible for the ducal holdings. I’ll have the lands from my mother, but it’s not the same.”

  As the second son, Hastings was more or less free to choose his own path. He often spoke of the lands that would come to him from his mother’s family, the plans he had for developing the land in an effort to make it more productive. Genie could see herself running the household surrounded by adoring children and reveling in the attention of a loving husband.

  How could this be happening so fast? How could she have fallen in love so quickly?

  In many ways, Genie and Hastings seemed destined for each other. Both romantics at heart, they were the perfect complement: his natural charm and good humor, her tender heart and trusting nature. With him, Genie knew she would have the security of a loving home. She felt it deep in her gut.

  Though the hurdle of their difference in station concerned her, it did not seem insurmountable. He was the second son after all, not the heir. “It was kind of your parents to invite my family.”

  “Not kindness, your father is the rector.” He held her gaze. “Besides, I think they are interested to discover why I have spent so much time at Kington House.”

  “And why have you spent so much time at Kington House, my lord?” she asked with wide-eyed innocence.

  He grinned—that heart-stopping, crooked, dimpled grin that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

  “Because I’ve been bewitched by a beautiful princess who’s cast a spell on me.”

  Genie giggled. “I think you’ve listened to one too many of my fairy tales.”

  He laughed, resting his head on his arms crossed behind his neck. After a minute, his eyes closed. Thick, long lashes curled against his cheek, shimmering in the sun like the tips had been dipped in gold dust.

  A gentle breeze ruffled her skirts and tossed a few flaxen ringlets across her nose. Pushing them aside, she turned her gaze from the dozing Hastings back to the water in time to notice her line sway then dip. The fishing pole jerked in her hands.

  “I think I’ve caught something,” she said excitedly.

  Hastings popped up, a bit groggy at first then jumped to his feet, pulling on the taut line.

  “It feels like a big one. Can you handle him?”

  She nodded, her arms already straining against the pull. “I think so.” Despite the pain surging through her hands and forearms, she grinned. This was the biggest fish she’d ever hooked.

  Finding strength she did not realize she had, Genie battled for a good ten minutes, fighting to control her line. Hastings watched anxiously from her side. Not used to such exertion, her arms started to shake. “I can’t hold it much longer…”

  “Here, let me help.” He started to reach for her pole when the line suddenly went slack.

  “Oh no!” she moaned. She’d lost him.

  Genie collapsed back on the blanket in utter exhaustion and burst into laughter. “Devil take it. After all that, I can’t believe the blasted thing got away.” Her hand covered her mouth in horror. She’d hooked one big fish and now she cursed like a sailor.

  Hastings appeared not to notice her colorful vocabulary, he leaned over her prone figure, studying her flushed face with particular intensity. “You still have me.”

  Still laughing, she stared into his eyes. Something shifted in his expression, causing her giggling to stop and her chest to squeeze with longing. His gaze flickered to the rise and fall of her chest then back to her face. His eyes burned with unbridled desire, raw and hungry. Genie glimpsed a sliver of steel behind the lighthearted exterior that she’d never seen before.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his voice rough and solemn, devoid of its usual teasing lilt. “Like an angel.”

  So was he. His handsome face poised above hers, dark blo