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“I love you!”
Siena almost dropped her glass of wine as she stared at Edwina with wide eyes. Had she heard that right? Possibly. But was that merely the wine talking? Perhaps.
Edwina was indeed quite drunk. Which had not necessarily been Siena’s intention. She had merely wished to enjoy a nice evening with her, sharing a bottle of wine in her living room. And maybe she had also hoped that the wine might help Edwina relax a little. She always seemed quite flustered around Siena. But apparently, Edwina was not used to drinking.
Slowly, the realisation of her own words began to appear on Edwina’s face. Then, there was shock—until eventually, she stared into her lap, flustered again, as she muttered, “I … I wanted to say that I wish to kiss you.” She bit her lips as Siena watched her curiously—amused and bewildered at the same time. “Which might be even worse, so … let’s stay with I love you…”
Carefully, Edwina glanced up at her again. A smile formed on Siena’s lips.
It was hardly a revelation. Siena had been quite aware of Edwina’s affection since the first time they had met. She was not very good at hiding it. And well … a part of Siena had perhaps quite enjoyed the thought of it; had perhaps been hoping for something like this to happen tonight.
“Well … if you want to kiss me, then kiss me.”
Edwina’s eyes widened. “Truly?”
Siena bit her lip as she chuckled, “Yes.”
Edwina continued staring at her, as if unable to comprehend her words. Then, without looking away, she slowly put her glass down and stood up.
Immediately, she began staggering to the side and Siena jumped out of her seat, catching her in time.
“Or perhaps it’s time to go to sleep,” Siena replied, suppressing a chuckle.
“That might be a good idea,” Edwina muttered with a faint smile.
So no kiss tonight. But perhaps tomorrow—if Edwina remembered anything about this evening.
Siena then helped her to the guestroom, but left again to grant her privacy to undress. She returned to the living room, collecting the glasses. But just as she arrived inside the kitchen to clean them, Edwina suddenly called, “Can you help me?”
Siena put down the glasses and hurried towards the room.
Edwina’s back was turned to her. She had successfully removed her dress—yet struggled to unlace her corset.
Naturally. Ladies’ corsets were laced at the back. They had maids to dress them, after all. But tonight, there was only Siena.
Edwina’s arms were behind her back, trying to open her corset as she mumbled, “I can’t get out of my clothes. Could you…?”
She trailed off as she faced her with raised brows.
Siena gave her a smile. “Of course.”
Edwina turned around again as Siena stepped behind her and carefully began to open her corset. Her fingers worked their way down as her eyes were glued to the nape of her neck—to the soft skin that was glistening in the warm candlelight. She could let her fingers linger there for a moment. Or perhaps, she could even plant a quick kiss.
Siena inhaled sharply, looking down as she finished untying Edwina’s corset. Not tonight.
Successfully, Siena had opened the corset and put it aside. Edwina turned around then—merely wearing her chemise with her thick hair falling into her face as a tender smile graced her lips.
“Thank you.”
Again, Siena’s eyes shot to her feet. “Good night,” she muttered plainly before turning around to leave.
“Could you stay?”
Siena halted in her steps. Then, she took a deep breath, turning around again as she raised her brows in confusion.
Edwina bit her lips. “I … everything is spinning,” she muttered, her voice weary. “I don’t know how to fall asleep.”
But my presence will help you?
Siena did not reply that, however. Instead, she merely said, “Of course.”
So as Edwina slipped under the blanket, Siena began to remove her own dress and shoes and corset. The heat rushed into her face as she could feel Edwina’s gaze on her. Which was silly. Edwina was the flustered one. Not her.
Trying to hide it, Siena quickly extinguished the candle and then joined her inside the bed.
They were facing each other. It was dark now, but the faint moonlight helped Siena notice a small smile on Edwina’s lips—and also the fact that they were incredibly close now.
Edwina might have realised that as well, as she bit her lip, flustered again.
But then, Siena could feel how she leaned closer; could feel her warm breath on her skin; could feel a strand of hair tickle her nose.
Until suddenly, her soft lips touched hers.
For a moment, Siena forgot how to breathe. But then, she closed her eyes, leaning into the sweet kiss.
Too soon, Edwina pulled back—giving her a smile as she whispered, “Good night.”
Then, she closed her eyes.
Siena did not, however. She continued watching her fall asleep, a smile on her face, until the sun began to rose again.