Trent lay awake that night not able to get Eliza out of his mind. In frustration he got up to walk around a bit. He found himself hovering outside her door, so tempted to knock. What would she do? Would she open it to him? Allow him to kiss her? More?

Of course not he scolded himself she was a proper young lady, an innocent maid, who was on her way to marry another man. He found his way downstairs, still drawn to Eliza, but not daring to go to her, he went instead to the drawing room. At least he could see what she’d been spending her time here doing. He lit several lamps and sat down at the stool in front of the easel. His mouth dropped open. It was him. To the side lay her open sketch book to his image. Had she drawn that on the train? No, it was from their stage ride together. And she’d been using it as a guide for this painting. It was so detailed, so beautiful. Did this mean her thoughts were as focused on him as his were on her?

The next morning they sat to breakfast together. His thoughts still on his discovery from the night before he let the words out before he had a chance to think “would you like to go riding with me today” Eliza lit up “that would be lovely, I’ve been wanting to see more of the estate but afraid to venture too far and get lost”

Trent cringed to himself, what a bad host he’d been, he should have taken her out a week ago and shown her the full estate. “I’m sorry, I should have offered sooner, I have a few things to do this morning, but how about after lunch?”

“Perfect” Eliza smiled.

After lunch they walked out to the stable and had their horses saddled, Trent helped Eliza onto her horse, would his touch always feel this hot on her skin she wondered?

The grounds of his estate were exquisite and vast. They road chatting companionably as he pointed out favorite spots and told stories of mischief he’d gotten into as a child. When he pointed out he and his siblings favorite spot to race their horses, Eliza kicked her mount into a run calling back her challenge for a race. She thought a little head start would be fair. They both pulled up at the tree Trent had pointed to as the finish line, Trent out striding her by just a few paces. They were both laughing and panting from the effort. Noticing how late it was getting, Trent suggested they head back to the house. Eliza was loath for their day together to end, but she was getting hungry.

After they returned their horses to the stable Trent led Eliza towards the lake. “Are we not going in?” She asked. Trent just smiled revealing that gorgeous dimple “you’ll see.” He did like surprises she thought.

As they approached she saw a beautiful picnic laid out for them. She looked at it and looked at Trent “but how?” He smiled, “I arranged it with chef this morning before we left.” He walked her over and helped her sit on the blanket laid out for them. “This is the most beautiful spot to watch the sunset, I thought it would be the perfect end to our ride today”. She smiled “it is perfect”

Trent pour them each a glass of wine and offered her the different delicacies the chef had prepared ending with perfectly sweet apple tarts for dessert. As they ate their dessert the sun began to set and the gorgeous reds and oranges reflected off the lake. The view took Eliza’s breath away. As the sun sank lower in the sky a small shiver ran across her. Trent noticed and said “it’s getting cold, we should head in”

Eliza sighed “oh not just yet please”

He moved closer to her, putting his arm around her and stroking it to warm her. “It is just the most beautiful sight” Eliza said in wonder. Trent looking down at Eliza and not the lowering sky agreed “it is”.

She turned and looked up at him at the sound of his voice. Having been mesmerized by the view , she hadn’t noticed his closeness or his arm around her until now. Her breath caught. She could feel warmth spreading up her and her pulse begin to beat faster. It felt like forever their eyes were locked on each others, both resisting leaning in for the kiss, but neither having the power to pull away. Then as if by common unspoken agreement, they both leaned in and their lips touched.