Afternoon Tea

Wednesday finally came, and Wilhelmina and Aurelia spent the entire morning getting ready for tea with Maximilian. Aurelia wore the lavender dress and a silky floral wrap, she kept her jewelry simple with a pair of small diamond-studded earrings. Winona left her hair half down with a simple braided halo around her head fastened with a pearl and diamond pin, she was a genius at hairstyling. Willa wore a beautiful pale blue day dress that complimented her light blonde hair that's pulled out of her face in an updo.

They left for the country estate of the Earl of Westmorland in high spirits and talked excitedly on the way, romanticizing what life as a countess would be like. It took them about an hour of bumping along in their carriage to reach the estate.

As they entered the large gates that sit in front of the massive manor, Aurelia's heart began to pound. Maximilian was waiting for them at the grand entrance with a broad smile. He met them at the carriage and helped both girls out with a kind hand.

"I am honored to host the radiant Brooks sisters in my family home," Maximilian said gallantly with a sweeping bow. He kissed Aurelia's gloved hand and met her eyes with a passionate gleam in his.

"Thank you for inviting us to tea, Mr. St. Clair," Aurelia politely replied with a small curtsy.

He guided them into the massive estate and revealed a grand double staircase, the largest they have ever seen in a country home. They moved off to the left into an expansive sitting room with a beautiful piano in the middle and walls of books that wrap around the entirety of the room. Willa couldn't stop staring at everything as they all sat down in some comfy armchairs.

"Would you both like some tea?" Maximilian asked politely.

Aurelia nodded, and Willa declined. He poured two cups of tea, handing one to her before he sat across from her. Willa taking the cue pulled out a book to feign privacy for the two of them.

"Are you going to the Lord of Glaston's ball this weekend, Mr. St. Clair?" Aurelia asked curiously.

He took a sip of tea and paused for a moment. "Yes, I am, Miss Brooks," he said as he set down his teacup. "Also, please call me Max if you feel comfortable doing so." He wanted her to feel comfortable around him, he hated formalities.

Aurelia stared at him in surprise; Willa looked up from her book, curious about his lack of formality.

"I hoped you would be, Max," Aurelia said bravely, testing out his first name on her tongue.

He grinned at the sound of his name, "I'm guessing you will be in attendance as well?"

She nodded quickly and chastised herself inwardly for being so eager.

"Well, I hope you save me at least one space on your dance card," Max said excitedly.

As the afternoon wore on, Max suggested a walk in the garden. He took Aurelia's hand when she agreed. Willa followed a short distance behind but farther than my brother would have deemed appropriate. She was always breaking the rules just like Aurelia. The gardens turned out to be a labyrinth of hedges that covered the vast grounds of the estate.

Max showed Aurelia all the different flora and fauna types in the massive maze and pointed out his favorites as they walked. At one point, he grabbed her hand and quickly pulled her around a corner. She crashed into his chest when he suddenly stopped. He couldn't wait any longer to have her in his arms again.

Breathless, Aurelia stared up at him in surprise. Max looked deep into my eyes and stroked her bottom lip with his thumb. "You are the most intriguing woman I've ever had the pleasure of meeting," he whispered to her.

She blushed deeply at his words and lowered her head in a coy manner. He grabbed her chin softly and raised it to meet his gaze once more. His eyes held Aurelia's captive, she dared not look away from them.

"I couldn't stop thinking about dancing with you last weekend," she divulged. "I can't wait for Saturday."

Max chuckled, a deep rich timber in his voice. "I couldn't wait that long to have you in my arms again." He was at least a head taller than her and in his muscular arms, she felt quite small.

Aurelia's heart was two beats away from flying out of her chest. Max's blue eyes bored into her very soul. She boldly raked my fingers through his chestnut hair and marveled at the softness of his waves. Her lungs stopped working properly as she was more and more flustered the longer Aurelia was in Max's arms.

"I forgot to say you may call me Aurelia if you wish," Aurelia whispered, her lips inches from Max's.

"Aurelia, the beautiful golden one, a fitting name for one who shines so brightly," he mused to her. Max lowered his head closer to Aurelia and whispered, "may I kiss you?"

Aurelia felt brave and raised her lips to meet Max's as her answer. She sighed as she melted into Max's arms. Aurelia felt a heat inside her chest that burned as he kissed her. He ran one hand down her back and pulled Aurelia even closer to him. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she questioned how he is so knowledgeable with his lips. He must have had practice. Aurelia's stomach began to sour at the thought of Max kissing other girls. The feeling does not last long as she got lost in his barrage on her lips with his.

At one point he slid his tongue in Aurelia's mouth slowly and explored eagerly. She gasped and joined in this delicious dance. Max was gentle but firm with his kisses, she could tell he wanted more but was restraining himself. Aurelia grabbed his hair with both hands and deepened the kiss, Max breathed in quickly in surprise but kissed her even harder. Aurelia could feel something hard against her leg beginning to grow. Her eyes shot open for a moment and she realized what it was.

Max opened his eyes too when she stopped kissing him back.

"I'm happy you enjoyed that so much," Aurelia said blushing beet-red. She was rather innocent but knew the anatomy of men through her sister's gossip.

With a similarly flushed expression that decorated his face, Max laughed lightly. "Yes, I did. I can't wait for the next time we get another chance to be alone."

A chill went down Aurelia's spine and she simply clung to him. She couldn't wait for another chance to be kissed so passionately. Aurelia barely knew this man but he was making her feel like her nerves were on fire.

Max leaned down once again and attacked Aurelia's lips with a ferociousness that left her breathless, he held onto her tighter and she could feel his hardness grinding against her dress. She crept her tongue into his mouth and he groaned in delight. He chased her tongue with his and grabbed her round plump arse with one hand and tangled his fingers into her hair to pull her to him.

They stayed locked in a passionate embrace until they heard Willa shouting her name. Giggling like a schoolgirl, Aureliacalled, "over here, Wilhelmina."

Max pecked her on the lips quickly one last time before they heard her sister about to round the corner. As she took in the pair of them, she gave her a knowing look.

"Ben is expecting us to be home for dinner, Aurie," Willa announced. "We really must be heading home."

"Thank you for tea and the tour of the gardens, Max," Aurelia said graciously, unable to take my eyes off him. She could still taste him on her lips. Aurelia licked my bottom lip to savor the taste and Max took notice. He shifted his stance like he was uncomfortable and gave Aurelia a knowing look.

"You are welcome here anytime, Aurie," Max said with a grin. Chills erupted over her arms, and Aurelia returned the smile.

"Yes, thank you, Mr. St. Clair, you have a lovely home," her sister said hastily, and grabbed her hand. "We really must be going."

Max nodded and led them out of the maze. To the front of the house, where their carriage was waiting for them.

"I'll be seeing you at the ball, beautiful Brooks sisters," Max declared with a final bow and kissed Aurelia's hand. SHe blushed an even deeper shade of red as she was pulled into the carriage by Willa.

"Aurelia Florentina Augusta, that man is smitten with you," Willa squealed. "Saturday is going to be interesting, to say the least."