Against Their Wishes

Chapter 14

Gregory followed closely behind her but knew enough to not attempt to ride beside her. He knew she was upset and hurt, but he did what he had to do. He still believed that a relationship between them would be disastrous. A cordial friendship may exist, but those years of hatred did not just disappear, and if they ever allowed feelings between them to form, he had no doubt that the past would destroy it. Never could they have a normal marriage, a marriage like his parents.

This had seemed like an excellent plan until they had gotten close to each other. Gregory had seen the blush go up her neck as she smiled her gratitude at him for the outing. He had taken notice of the way her eyes would cast downward as if she was too shy to look him in the eye, and he had most certainly noticed her tongue dart out from between her pink lips. That was all it took for Gregory to lose his senses. It was if an outside force had inched his face forward until all he could feel was the softness of her lips pressed against his own.

He lost himself, and for that moment he was only concerned with the way Olivia’s lips molded to his. When he felt her kiss back, his senses went wild, but it also alerted him to what he was doing. He had no choice but to pull back from her. He knew she had enjoyed the kiss which left him to be the responsible one and put space between them again. As much as he had enjoyed kissing her, he promised himself it would not happen again; it would only lead to hurt and disappointment.

Little light was left in the sky by the time Olivia and Gregory pounded into the stable. Olivia immediately set to work taking off Sugarplum’s saddle. She did not get very far before Gregory’s voice stopped her.

“Leave that, Olivia. The stable hands will get it; we are already late for dinner.” Olivia stilled before nodding her head and walking past him with her eyes pointed straight ahead. She was too far away to hear Gregory’s sigh from deep within as he followed behind her. With their brisk pace, they reached the house in about five minutes. Olivia rushed in through the door leading into the breakfast nook that she had yet to see anyone use. Gregory pushed past her to lead. They had barely made it out of the room and into a small hallway before they saw Lady Willington coming at them.

“Where have you two been?” she cried, stopping before them. Her cheeks were flushed as she addressed them. “We thought something had happened to you! You’ve been gone most of the day, and now it is nearly half past when we are supposed to sit down for dinner.” Olivia felt terrible for distressing Lady Willington after she had been so kind to invite her into her home. Gregory quickly began to pacify his mother.

“We are sorry, Mother. We did not mean to cause you any worry. Olivia and I were just out riding, and we went a little farther then we intended. It is obvious that we also started back a little later than we should have,” Gregory said with a self-deprecating smile.

“Yes, I am sorry to have caused you to wait on us,” Olivia chimed in.

“Oh, well, you both are back now, so let us forget about it. Come on, your father and Vivien are waiting in the dining room.” Lady Willington led the way as they all walked towards the dining room. When they entered, Lord Willington spoke.

“Where have you two been?” he questioned. Although he sounded a little peeved, it did not sound as if he was incredibly upset with them. Unbeknownst to Olivia and Gregory, Lord and Lady Willington had been a little bothered, but they also assumed that they were together seeing as they both disappeared around the same time. The idea that they spent the afternoon together gave Gregory’s parents hope for the future.