It didn’t take Madeline long, after Nan informed her, to run up to them and apologize to Soliel. She hadn’t realized her older sister was so afraid of the water. Soliel assured the younger girl that she was fine and that her own fear shouldn’t halt any fun. So Madeline went back to the water to play with Nan.

The sun was high and over time the earth became hot and dry. With it, Soliel dried off as well.When the sun began to fall behind the trees, she stretched her legs out from under her. Soliel sat under the tree listening to Tyrian read from her favorite play. When he finished the page he closed the book.

“I think that’s enough of Shakespeare.”

“Art thou not a fan of poetry?”

“On the contraire, I adore it. I simply find Shakespeare’s works somewhat superficial. These Tragic comedies are overrun.”

“I believe thou art overrun.”

“I beg your pardon.”

“You have it.” she smiled slyly. Tyrian shook his head.

“You wound me.”

“As if you do not mock me, sir.” Soliel hit him with her hand. “Thou have mocked me since our first encounter.”

“I have only followed the suit thou laid before me.”

“Do not pretend that I have been as bold in my mockery as you have been in yours.” She huffed.

“I will admit, I could not help but take joy in your reaction earlier today. You turn such a precious shade of red when embarrassed.”

“I will have my revenge, Tyrian Boudreaux.” She threatened.

“I count on it.” He smirked. They sat in silence while Soliel entertained ways to exact that revenge. Tyrian watched Madeline and Nan toss a ball in the water. Bigsley was off doing whatever it was butler’s did. The sun moved lower in the sky. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yes?”

“What are your plans?”

“I do not understand your meaning?”

“If you refuse your father’s plan for you, what dost thou intend to do?”

“Father would see me married with children and inheriting my mother’s title when my father retires his to my husband. When he dies the estate and affairs would go to whoever I marry and I would spend my days producing heirs or whatever my darling dearest allowed. I do not wish for that life.”

“What do you wish for then?”

“You’ll laugh.”

“I will not.” Soliel eyed him.

“I wish to take over father’s business. I have been studying the routes on maps since I was a girl. I know the business well, I’ve formally met all of our partners. I know I am capable of ensuring shipments and tracking sales. As a woman… I can not own a business or inherit the title of my father. ‘Tis a silly dream.” Tyrian listened to her speak silently.

“Have you thought to ask?”

“Ask my father? For his business? He’d see me committed.” Tyrian winced.

“What will you do then?”

“I can’t be sure. If I manage to evade marriage I suppose I’ll live in the guest house. Madeline will come of age and the Viscounts son will inherit it all. Perhaps they’ll let me read and live in peace.”

“That sounds so lonely.”

“And you sir? What are your plans for the future? Let me guess...inherit your father’s estate, never marry, live like a king.” Tyrian chuckled.

“Dost thou recall the gloves I gifted you?”

“Of course.”

“I have a small company in leatherworks. It’s conception began in France and we’ve expanded here. I aim to never need my father’s business and title. It may be gifted to me despite my efforts but I should hope no one will ever say I did not earn my place.”

“That is noble of you.”

“You exaggerate Soliel.”

“Perhaps but I think there is certainly honor in earning something even if it is already belonging to you.”

“Aristotle?” He asked.

“Soliel Markisean. Those words are original as the woman who said them.”

“You never cease to amaze me Soliel.”

“I cannot fathom how, I am but a spinster in waiting.”

“I am but a male version of the same.” Soleil yawned. He placed her book back into her bag. They were sitting so close she could feel the heat off of him.

“Tyrian…” She began carefully.

“Yes?”

“It would be a shame to go through life never having experienced it wholly.”

“I suppose.”

“Da Vinci said marriage is like putting your hand into a bag of snakes in the hope of pulling out an eel. Yet he also said the noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding, that nothing could be hated or loved until you’d understood it.”

“Are you suggesting that one should get married before making up their mind about hating marriage because I do believe several couples have run that experiment.” “No no, I only mean how can I as a young scholar truly live life to the fullest of it until I have experienced it in all ways. I am ten and nine already yet there is so much I have not done. No one has called upon my father to court me, I have never even been kissed.”

“Neither have I.”

“You haven’t?”

“No, I have spent a great amount of energy putting distance between myself and the opposite sex.”

“Perhaps we should.”

“Pardon?”

“Perhaps we should be kissed. It’s an experience. How can we call ourselves scholars of philosophy without having experienced a simple act of life such as a kiss.”

“You’ve let those Shakespearean dramas go to your head.” Tyrian smirked.

“Perhaps, but do I not speak some truth?” Tyrian looked at her for a long time before he answered.

“You cannot go around kissing people, it would be improper.” She bit her bottom lip in contemplation.

“Tyrian, kiss me.” She said suddenly.

“Soliel?” His eyes were wide with shock.

“Think of it as a science experiment. I would be honored if you would experience this with me.”

“I… Soliel, it’s not that simple.” Soliel's face was full of amusement.

“Dost thou find me agreeable?” Tyrian looked embarrassed. “It’s a simple question. Dost thou?”

“Yes…”

“I find you agreeable as well. Your well read, you’re kind to my younger sister, I think that should be enough”

“Enough?”

“Yes, a woman will only get one chance at her first kiss, perhaps the only kiss I receive my whole life. I would like it to be someone whom I find agreeable.”

“You want me to kiss you, now?”

“What better time? Madeline and Nan are distracted, Bigsley has gone off somewhere. We may never get another chance to just be who we are. I understand if you won’t do it but I have thought it over and I would like to be as much of myself as possible when someone kisses—” Tyrian closed the gap between them. Her lips were soft against his. She froze in shock for a moment with her eyes open. When he didn’t pull away she let her eyes drift closed and inhaled through her nose. He smelled like winter forest. His mouth was warm and she let him place a hand on her cheek and pull her closer. Soliel’s heart beat hard in her chest, she felt her core ignite and she gently pulled away. “You kissed me.” She whispered in shocked amusement.

“You asked me to.”

“I know.” She said, her voice still low. She could feel his breath on her nose.

“Would you say you enjoyed your experiment?”

“I can’t be sure. Could we really call this an experiment?”

“How do you mean?”

“A science experiment should be repeated if results are to be verified. By duplicating the experiment we can better learn from our findings, improve upon method, and develop skills.”

“Who am I to stand in the way of science.” Tyrian said, before bringing his lips to hers once more. This time she was prepared. Her lips parted slightly for him. He deepened the kiss as she moved her hands in his hair. This time Tyrian pulled away leaving her breathless. Still, he held her waist just a few inches from him. “You were correct, duplicating the experiment did prove to be different…”

“Would you consider this to be a biological experiment?” She whispered, her breathing still labored.

“I suppose.”

“I read in a scientific journal that biological experiments must be done in at least a triplicate in order to generate acceptable data.” Tyrian couldn’t hide his sly smile.

“Is that so?”

“We’ve come so far, we simply can’t have our experiment failed here.”

“I won’t allow it.” Tyrian whispered. This third kiss was different in three ways. First, Soliel initiated it. She kept her hands on his face and brought his lips down on her. She slid her tongue along his lips with passion, throwing all caution to the wind. Second, Tyrian lifted her closer to him when the kiss began. He pressed her body against his chest with a gentle hand at her back. Lastly, neither of them wanted to break away and so this kiss continued until finally Tyrian heard footsteps behind him. Soliel jumped and Tyrian moved her away from him gently. He turned to see Bigsley approaching.

“You don’t suppose he saw?” Soliel said, worried.

“If he did, he doesn’t look it.” Bigsley’s steps were slow paced and when he approached them he bowed.

“Lord Boudreaux, the carriage is ready back at the cabin. The sky is getting darker, I would suggest we take our leave soon unless the young misses will be staying the night?” Tyrian looked to Soliel; then he looked off at Nan and Madeline. They were skipping stones.

“Are you ready to go?” Soliel bit her bottom lip. She didn’t want to leave, but she did not pack another change of clothes.

“The Duchess is expecting us back tonight.” She informed them. Tyrian stood and offered her his hand.

“Then let's not keep the Duchess waiting.”

Madeline fell asleep in the carriage on the way back to the Markisean estate. Soliel let the young girl rest her head in her lap while Tyrian rested his eyes sitting beside her. Nan used this time for needle point. Soliel yawned into her hand and placed it on the seat between Tyrian and her. There wasn’t much space for it, as Madeline’s blonde hair took up most Soliel’s side of the bench. Tyrian opened his eyes to sneak a peek at her. He placed his warm hand over hers on the bench just out of Nan’s view. Soliel felt his touch and a smile spread across her face. She didn’t dare look up at him and give them away. Instead she let his hand rest gently atop hers until the carriage stopped at her home.

“Madeline, Maddy.” Soliel gently shook her sister. “We’re home.” Madeline stirred and sat up.

“I wish to go to bed.” She said, half asleep. Tyrian opened the carriage door to find Bigsley already waiting for them, luggage in hand. Nan helped Madeline stumble through the estate doors. Bigsley looked at Soliel and then at Tyrian.

“Young master, I must bring these bags inside to the girl’s staff. I will be back and we can take our leave.” He said and walked away. Tyrian looked after him for a moment and then back at Soliel.

“He knows.” Tyrian whispered to her.

“What, how can you tell?”

“I just can. Don’t worry, he won’t say anything.” Soliel blushed.

“I must say, I enjoyed our time at the lake.”

“Your company is always a pleasure.” Tyrian said.

“I suppose, I should head inside.” She didn’t move.

“Yes, and I suppose I should head back to my own estate.” He stayed where he was standing. A gentle breeze passed through them.

“Would you... like to come have tea sometime?” Soliel said finally.

“Of course, how about I come by in two days' time around noon?”

“That sounds perfect. I have more poetry for you to turn your nose at.” Tyrian laughed.

“More Shakespeare?”

“Amongst other poets.” She smiled.

“I’ll see you Tuesday afternoon.”

“Until then.” She whispered and walked up the stairs into her estate. Tyrian looked down at his hand, remembering the feeling of her delicate palm in his. He’d see her Tuesday.