Free Hidden in the Heart by Beth Andrews Page B

would almost certainly have considered it improper, though her daughter could not imagine why.
    ‘Why did you kiss me?’ she asked some time later, when they emerged from the wood.
    ‘It seemed appropriate,’ John said a little diffidently. ‘Did you not like it?’
    ‘I liked it very much,’ she answered honestly. ‘I was just surprised. That is all.’
    ‘Would you mind very much if I did it again?’
    ‘No indeed.’
    He pulled her gently against him and repeated the previous exercise. This time she was prepared for it, and found it even more enjoyable than before.
    ‘I think,’ John said, raising his head, ‘that it is best if we do not go into the woods alone together any more.’
    ‘I quite agree.’
    They arrived at the spot where John’s horse was teth ered and were soon riding back to town.
    ‘I will inform my father of what we have discovered, and we will get some men to come down here and flush out the gang.’
    ‘I wish I could be there!’ Lydia cried, although she knew that this was impossible.
    ‘It will be best if your name is not mentioned in relation to this matter,’ John told her, frowning. ‘My father would be quite scandalized - and rightly so.’
    ‘Fustian!’ Lydia protested. ‘But I know what you mean. Aunt Camilla would doubtless swoon if she knew what we had been about tonight.’
    * * * *
    Upon reflection, Lydia was not sorry that their adventure had ended. While they were searching for the murderer of Mr Cole, they had developed a degree of camaraderie. They might almost have been brother and sister.
    But although she had no brother, Lydia was very sure that one did not kiss one’s brother the way she had kissed John. In fact, she had never had the least desire to kiss any man in such a fashion. However, she now found that she very much wanted to do so again: but only with John. This was most disturbing.
    It was now that she understood John’s remark at the ball. He said he did not think of her at all. What he had meant was that he did not need to think of her. She was simply there. She was his companion and fellow adven turer. She was his friend. There was no need to dwell on any feelings he might have for her. In truth, she had felt the same.
    Things were no longer so simple. One might as well face the fact that she now saw John in a very different light: as an attractive young gentleman who might or might not play a significant role in her future happiness. It was obvious that his own thoughts were moving in a similar direction.
    It occurred to her that she would very likely marry him. Thoughts of marriage had never entered her head before. She left such things to Louisa. How odd that her new acquaintance should have caused such a revolution in her thinking.
    It was not that Mr Savidge was extraordinarily good- looking. His countenance was pleasing enough, and he had a fine figure. But there were other gentleman who could boast better features and more address. Yet she felt an affinity with him which was undeniable. She would not put a name to this feeling. She would not define it as ‘love’ without further cogitation and perhaps several more kisses.
    Still, it was an interesting and unexpected development - an adventure in its own right.
     

Chapter Ten
     
SHOCKING DISCOVERIES
     
    The next evening, Thomas Savidge dispatched a number of armed men to Wickham Wood. Not many of the residents of Diddlington were aware of this maneouvre, and most that did know were mystified as to its intent.
    However, within twenty-four hours of this expedition, the news was everywhere: a gang of murderous smugglers had been apprehended in the wood. The praises of Diddlington’s Justice of the Peace were upon everyone’s lips. What genius! What foresight! What uncanny abilities (hitherto unsuspected) the man must possess! The invalu able contribution of his son and of Miss Bramwell were, of course, completely unknown to the general populace.
    ‘Mr Savidge has certainly surprised