"I don't understand… how I never saw it. Rather, how I never saw you." Essie spoke softly, searching his face, tracing the outline of his body and memorizing every cut and angle.
"I'm quite certain I can imagine all sorts of ways you can make up for your ignorance." Cross winked as he reached out and pulled her into an embrace.
"I can imagine quite a few ways of my own…" she murmured as she reached up and kissed his lips softly.
He groaned. "How can something so wonderful be so torturous?" he mumbled against her lips just before he kissed her hungrily.
"How indeed." Essie giggled, breaking the contact, but only for a moment before she returned his kiss.
"Marry me?" Cross whispered the words against her wet lips, plump and swollen from his ardent kiss.
Essie opened her eyes to meet his gaze, bathing in the glory of his words. Of their intentions… of the promise they held.
"Yes," she whispered back. She delighted in the victorious ferocity that lit his eyes—that she tasted as he ravaged her mouth once more.
This time, however, she did hear the knock, and tried to untangle herself from Cross' grip, he simply held her tighter, grinning wildly.
Lady Crossby walked in, her steps halting as a confused expression scrunched up her face.
Essie had known Lady Crossby most of her life, and to be caught in such a compromising position before a mother figure… was uncomfortable.
Apparently Cross didn't feel the same lack of comfort, rather he held her tighter, caressing her back softly, reassuringly?
"Cross! Release Essie this moment!" She scolded as she appeared to gain her wits and strode towards them.
"Forgive me, I was simply carried away with the moment… seeming as I just gained a fiancée."
"Fiancée?" Lady Crossby's gaze darted between them, her eye wide. "Fiancée!" She clapped excitedly! "When Anna said I needed to check in the library I had no idea that I would be walking into such wondrous news!" She rushed forward and pulled Essie and Cross into an awkward hug.
Cross refused to release her, rather used the hug as an excuse to lower his hand on her waist and pat her bum.
She glared at him.
He returned her glare with a wide grin, mischievous and light.
As if all was right in his world.
She recognized the expression because she felt the same way.
Then she remembered Lady Crossby's words. "Anna sent you here?" She leaned back and regarded Lady Crossby's confused expression.
"Why, yes. I assumed it was because she knew of your engagement."
"Of course!" Cross answered, casting a knowing glace to Essie.
Because Anna, mischievous hoyden that she was, had sent Lady Crossby into the library in hopes of her discovering Essie and Cross in a compromising position.
And she almost had!
Essie shook her head, making both a mental note to throttle and then thank her friend.
"Anna always was a keen one," Cross replied to his mother. His mouth pulled tightly as if trying to suppress a wide grin.
"Yes, well I'll simply pass along the wonderful news to your father. I assume your parents haven't heard the delightful news yet, dear?" She asked Essie.
"No, it's quite… recent." She smiled secretly at Cross.
"In my opinion, it's quite overdue," Lady Crossby responded, twisting her lips in a wry manner. "After all, you two were the only ones who didn't see it."
"Pardon?" Essie asked, her brow pinching.
"Your parents and my husband and I have often spoken and wondered when the two of you would realize just what a profitable match this would be! And then you were betrothed to Trighton. I didn't like the fellow much mind you, but it wasn't my place to say anything. You're better off without him… something strange about him anyway." She shivered delicately. "I'm simply quite pleased in how things turned out." She nodded emphatically.
"All we need to do is get your sister married off now!" Lady Crossby replied as she patted Essie's shoulder and turned to leave.
Cross wasted no time, but took full advantage of his mother's turned back to place a quick kiss to Essie's lips.
"Oh!" Lady Crossby turned as she reached the door. "Essie, darling, you'll want to… tidy yourself up a bit before you return home. Though you're engaged, we don't want people to think you had to marry, if you get my meaning." She raised a dark eyebrow and left.
Closing the door.
What was it with this family? It was as if they wanted her ruined!
Not that her interlude with Cross had been anything but; however, that was private. Or so she had though till Lady Crossby referenced her appearance.
"Don't worry about Mother." Cross spoke lightly, smiling at her.
"I wasn't, I was worried more about my appearance and the impression it gives," Essie replied wryly.
"You've never looked lovelier."
"You better say that, you're the cause of it!" She teased, pushing his shoulder slightly.
"I'll try to be more cautious next time." He glanced at her hair.
"See that you do." She blushed.
"However…" Cross' eyes twinkled with mischief as he reached up and deftly began pulling out her pins.