Tyrian was surprised by how quickly Lady Soliel Markisean had escaped the greenhouse. She hadn’t given him time for a response.

“You won’t marry my sister?” Madeline said disappointed. He looked at her with sad eyes. He almost wished he could give her another answer.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Madeline shook her head in agreement. “I’m afraid neither your sister or myself would prefer to marry anyone at all.” Madeline looked at him confused.

“You will be quite lonely.” Was all the girl could think to say. Tyrian looked at her blue eyes. She was so certain. He remembered Soliel’s eyes. They were a unique shade of green against a hazel hue.

“You may be right about that Madeline.” He said and stood to go after Soliel. He found her easily in the library. She was a few steps up on a ladder doing as she said, returning her book. “Soliel,” Tyrian began as he approached her. Startled, Soliel lost her footing and began to fall. He rushed forward a few steps and caught her.

“My Goodness!” Soliel exclaimed. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

“Are you alright? I didn’t mean to startle you.” Her breathing was uneven.

“Thank you for catching me.” She managed to say. “Would you set me down?” She asked when he kept holding her.

“Of course.” He quickly placed her gently on her feet.

“Did you need something?”

“You left so quickly.”

“Yes, well I do believe I’ve been embarrassed quite enough for one afternoon.”

“Please, Soliel if something weighs on your mind tell me.”

“How can I, Tyrian? You’ve made it abundantly clear that ‘tis not my place to.”

“How dost thou rationalize those findings?”

“Tell me, Lord Boudreaux,” she said with great effort to remain calm “what am I to you?” He hesitated. “That’s what I thought.” Soliel turned on her heel and began to walk away.

“Soul wait!” She stopped and turned to face him. “To me, you are a great philosophical mind. Lady Soliel Markisean, my confidant and closest friend. The most beautiful place to rest my weary eyes. I have found in you someone to share my innermost thoughts; one of the few people I can hold an interesting conversation about the great works and wonders of life with.” Soliel fought back the tears in her eyes.

“You mean it?” Tyrian sighed and closed the space between them to hold her hands in his.

“Of course. What gain would I receive from jesting with you now?” She felt his thumbs run over the backs of her knuckles.

“Forgive my outburst, when I heard you speak of Lady Annabelle…” Tyrian looked upon her with confused eyes. “I thought perhaps you were only humoring me as you did her.” Understanding dawned on him.

“My sincerest apologies. I should have made my intent more plain.” He whipped a tear from her cheek as it escaped her eye. “I genuinely enjoy your company Soliel. If this ever changes you will be the first to know, I swear it.” Soliel smiled at him. Her cheeks turned pinker. Her eyes fixated on his lips and she felt her core ignite inside her lower abdomen.

Soliel swallowed hard, her mouth dry. Tyrian’s face drew closer to her and her breathing became labored. His lips were almost on hers when she took a step away.

“Forgive me, I believe I’m feeling a bit faint.” She said putting her hand to her forehead. Tyrian’s eyes looked pained.

“Are you alright?”

“I believe so, perhaps ‘tis all the excitement of the day.”

“Let me help you to sit.” He offered.

“No no, we’ve been without a chaperone long enough.” Soliel said, waving a hand flippantly. “There will be rumors if we do not head back soon. Tyrian straightened up and offered her his elbow. She took it gently.

“Then let me escort you back to the greenhouse.” They left the library and headed back the way they’d come. They were almost to the door when they ran into the Duchess and the Baroness.

“Soliel?” The Duchess exclaimed, confused. Soliel curtsied and Tyrian bowed.

“Mother, Baroness what brings you to our humble estate?” Soliel asked.

“The Baroness is having tea with me this evening, I wasn’t aware Lord Boudreaux would be on our grounds this evening.”

“I apologize mother, the accommodations were made through father.”

“Where is your chaperone?” Asked the Baroness. Soliel was still unable to answer.

“Nania is in the greenhouse along with Madeline, Soliel wanted to stretch her legs and so we took a short stroll. We are headed back there now for tea.” Tyrian answered calmly.

“Is that so Soliel?” The Duchess looked upon her daughter.

“Yes mother, you know how I hate to sit too long.” The women seemed convinced.

“Let us all have tea together then” said the Baroness. Soliel hid her distaste.

“Of course, we’d be honored.

The couple didn’t get another moment alone after their encounter with the Baroness. The woman even went as far as to request Tyrian escort her out of the estate and so Soliel did not get to say a proper goodbye. Instead she silently waved him off from the greenhouse. After tea she decided to retire to her room a while before dinner. Thoughts of Tyrian’s lips on hers flooded her mind. She laid across her bed with a heavy chest. The way he’d held her in the library, against his chest protectively. She envisioned his lips slowly pressing to the back of her hand. She wanted his lips on her skin again. The memories left a low ache in her core. Suddenly she was very aware of her skin. She brought her hand to her lower stomach and tightened her fingers around the fabric there. She bit her bottom lip as she felt a wet heat build between her thighs. Her fingertips inched lower until they rested atop her delicate bud and she pressed gently through the material of her dresses. Her body felt like it was overheating, her skin flushed. She quickly removed her hand. What am I doing? She thought to herself. She rang the bell for Clara to come bring her some cold water, pushing away any further thoughts of Tyrian Boudreaux.