A Season for Love (Completed)

Chapter 12. 1813

Olivia reached across the table and put her hand on top of his. She was very bold with her action, not knowing why she was doing it but liking it all the same. "Did you and Melinda have any children your grace?"

James shook his head, taking her hand into his. "Thankfully not. But I do want to have children. Possibly two. I've always wanted to have a son and a daughter."

Olivia smiled softly. "That's a dream of mine as well. I've never liked large families, but smaller ones. They seem a bit more intimate."

James smiled. "I agree. I believe two children is plenty for a family. I don't understand some gentlemen who want an entire brood. They don't even want to see their children, at least not for more than five minutes."

Olivia. "I know what you mean. When my mother and father were alive and William and I were smaller, the four of us always spent as much time together as possible. My mother and father made sure that we were well taken care of loved and cherished." Tears came to her eyes at the mention of her father.

James squeezed her fingers gently. "I know your pain. I lost my mother when I was 16, and my father when I was your age. Thankfully my father had left me everything I needed to know about the estate and everything that went on."

Olivia. "Our father had everything prepared for William as well."

The two of them continued their conversation, moving to much happier topics. They ordered a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses, as well as a three course dinner of an appetizer entrée and dessert. When they finished their meal an hour later, they paid for the tab and stepped out of the restaurant.

James. "Care to take a walk in the garden before we leave?"

Olivia felt her heart flutter at that question. She was wanting to say yes, wanting to be alone with him and see where it would go. But a part of her was wanting to say no, to back away and reject his honorable advances. But she realized that she was wanting to be alone with him, to possibly kiss him. To continue their evening together. Swallowing hard, she gave him a smile. "Yes, I would like that very much."

And with that, they stepped through the gate that connected the restaurant to the garden. The garden was overflowing with various flowers. Deep red roses and white orchids. Purple wisteria and blue violets. The fragrance wafted against their noses.

Olivia. "This is beautiful."

James. "Isn't it? I always came here as a boy, played hide and seek with my parents. It was very fun. Although I preferred to play in our own garden at Norfolk Manor."

Olivia giggled. "William and I always played hide and seek with our parents in our garden. I would be the easiest one to find."

James. "I was always the hardest to find."

They exchanged a soft smile as they walked further and further into the garden. They soon found themselves beneath a lovely Archway of pink roses. They stood side-by-side, looking up at the magnificent blossoms.

James slowly turned to look at Olivia, his eyes falling on her lips. Releasing her hand from his elbow, he took both of them into his own, his eyes fixed with hers. He swallowed nervously, not knowing if she would be willing to move their relationship further than it already was. He took a deep breath, his voice soft and gentle as he spoke. "Olivia, I would like to do something with you, but I'd like to ask your permission first."

Olivia nodded slowly. "What is it your grace?"

James. "I... I would like to kiss you."

Olivia gasped softly, her heart nearly stopping at those words. James was wanting to kiss her, wanting permission to do so. This was her dream, what she had been wanting since the moment she laid eyes on him. She was wanting to kiss him as well, but wanted him to make the first move instead of doing it herself.

James. "I promise, if you don't want to do this I can wait. If you're not ready we don't have to do anything tonight."

Olivia shook her head fiercely. "No James, I'm ready. I give you permission to kiss me."

Leaning toward her slowly, James took her face between his hands and brought his lips to hers.