Chapter Thirteen: A Moonlit Walk

The evening had settled into a tranquil hush, the noise of the bustling ballroom slowly dissipating as the night unfolded its quiet charm. The guests had mostly departed, leaving behind the grand, opulent hall with its marble floors now echoing only the soft whispers of the few remaining stragglers. Eleanor, still reeling from the evening’s interactions with Theodore, found herself alone for a brief moment. Her parents had, as usual, already departed for their respective engagements, leaving her to navigate the aftermath of a social gathering that had been both pleasant and unnerving.

Theodore, however, had found a way to keep her attention long after the last waltz had been danced. He had been the one to suggest a walk—a simple request, but one that was loaded with intention. He had insisted on it, and there was something in his voice that made it impossible for Eleanor to refuse.

“I’ll show you my estate,” he had said with a glint in his eyes that hinted at more than just an invitation for a stroll. “It’s not quite as grand as yours, but I think you might be surprised.”

Eleanor had arched an eyebrow, intrigued by the challenge in his tone. She had agreed, of course, but as she stepped out into the crisp night air, she felt a flutter of excitement she couldn’t quite explain. Perhaps it was the lure of the unknown or the idea of being away from the watchful eyes of society, but something about this moment felt different. Private. Intimate, even.

The vastness of the Blackwood estate stretched out before them, the gardens bathed in the soft silver glow of the moonlight. The path they walked on was lined with towering hedges, the scent of blooming flowers carried on the breeze, blending with the freshness of the evening air. There was a serene stillness here, far from the prying eyes of the ballroom, far from the rigid expectations of the elite world they inhabited. It felt like a world of its own—a world where only the two of them existed for a moment.

Theodore had taken her arm as they walked, guiding her with an easy confidence that came naturally to him. His hand rested just above her elbow, his touch warm and assured. She couldn’t help but notice how his presence felt so different out here, away from the carefully curated world of wealth and status. There was a quiet strength to him, something that felt more real, more raw than the polished exterior he showed to society.

“So, you really think your estate is as grand as mine?” Eleanor teased, her voice light, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

Theodore glanced at her, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I don’t think I said that exactly, but I’ll let you be the judge of that,” he said, his tone warm and inviting. “You’ll see, the grounds here are magnificent, and I’ve worked hard to make it something I can be proud of. After all, there’s no point in living in a house if the grounds aren’t just as stunning.”

Eleanor chuckled softly, her eyes sweeping over the estate, taking in the neatly manicured gardens, the elegant fountain in the distance, and the distant silhouette of the grand house that loomed behind them. “I suppose we’ll see if you’ve been successful in your endeavor,” she quipped, the playful banter flowing easily between them.

They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of their footsteps muted by the soft grass beneath their feet. The gentle hum of the night seemed to embrace them, the world outside their little bubble fading away. It was as though time had slowed, the night stretching on without hurry, without demands.

Theodore broke the silence first. “You know, Lady Kensington,” he said, his voice a little softer now, “I’ve always been fascinated by the way you carry yourself. You seem to be the epitome of what is expected of a lady, and yet… I can see there’s more to you than that.”

Eleanor looked up at him, meeting his gaze with an intensity that caught her off guard. “And what do you think you see?” she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and challenge. She couldn’t help but wonder what it was he saw when he looked at her. Was it just the layers of society that defined her, or did he see the person beneath it all?

Theodore’s lips curled into a slight smile, though his eyes were more serious than she had expected. “I see a woman who isn’t afraid to question what is expected of her. A woman who knows her worth, even if the world doesn’t always recognize it.”

Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly glanced away, not wanting him to see the way his words affected her. She didn’t often hear such things, not from the men of her class. Most were content to see her as a prize to be won, a piece of property to be traded between families. But Theodore didn’t see her like that, and it made her feel both seen and vulnerable in a way she wasn’t accustomed to.

“That’s quite the assessment,” she said lightly, though her voice lacked its usual sharpness. “But perhaps you’re mistaken.”

“I don’t think I am,” Theodore replied softly. “I’ve spent enough time around the high society to know when someone’s playing the part, and when they’re being themselves. You, Lady Kensington, are much more than the role society has cast you in.”

Her breath caught in her throat at his words, and for a moment, all she could do was look at him. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to respond. The warmth of his words wrapped around her like a cloak, and she felt an unfamiliar surge of emotions rise within her.

Before she could say anything, Theodore’s hand gently brushed against hers, his fingers briefly grazing the back of her hand before he clasped her fingers in his. The touch was subtle, yet it sent a shock of electricity through her. She was no stranger to the formality of touch in their world—hands shaken, arms held out—but this was different. This was intimate. Personal. She could feel the weight of his hand against hers, the heat of it seeping into her skin.

Without thinking, she squeezed his hand, allowing herself to trust in the connection between them.

They continued their walk in silence for a few moments longer, the only sound the distant rustle of leaves in the breeze and the soft rhythm of their footsteps. Then, as they neared the edge of the garden, the moonlight casting long shadows across the gravel path, Theodore stopped. He turned toward her, his eyes intense in the moon’s pale glow.

“Lady Kensington,” he said softly, his voice low and filled with a quiet longing. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

Eleanor’s breath caught in her throat again, but before she could respond, Theodore took a step closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she met his gaze, her heart racing in her chest.

In one swift movement, Theodore leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was slow, hesitant at first, as if they were both testing the waters, unsure of where this would lead. But as their lips met again, with more certainty this time, Eleanor felt something inside her shift. The kiss deepened, a shared understanding passing between them—a desire that had been building since their first meeting, since their playful exchanges and daring glances.

When they finally pulled apart, both were breathing a little more heavily, the cool night air suddenly feeling warmer around them.

“I’ve thought about this,” Theodore whispered, his forehead resting against hers. “Thought about you. More than I should, perhaps.”

Eleanor could feel the heat in her cheeks, but there was something thrilling about his confession. It made her heart beat faster, made her want more of him, more of whatever it was they were creating together.

“I’m sure you’ve thought about much more than that,” she whispered back, her voice teasing, but there was an edge of vulnerability to it now. “But tell me, Theodore… what is it you truly want from me?”

Theodore’s lips parted, a flicker of something dark and hungry flashing in his eyes. He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, “One day, Lady Kensington, I want to see you in that lacy lingerie you bought. I want to see you undress for me, to give yourself to me completely. But tonight... tonight is for another kind of intimacy.”

Eleanor’s breath hitched, a shiver running down her spine at the promise in his words. She knew that things had changed between them—that the flirtation, the teasing, was now something deeper, something that neither of them could easily walk away from.

With a final lingering kiss on her lips, Theodore pulled away, his hand still holding hers tightly.

“Until next time,” he murmured.

As they stood there, under the moonlight, Eleanor knew that their story was far from over. And, despite herself, she was eager to see where it would lead.