With Aunt Renee happily distracted by her beautiful flowers, Rowan finally turned his full attention to the woman he truly came to see.

He looked directly at Delaney, who was standing quietly beside the sofa.

Delaney was looking at him with a lovely expression. She thought his gesture toward her aunt was the sweetest, most wonderful thing she had ever witnessed. It showed the true kindness of his heart.

Rowan looked into her hazel eyes. His familiar, eyes were completely warm, entirely devoted, and shining with deep affection. He looked at her soft, peach-colored walking dress, completely approving of her perfect appearance.

He shifted the polished wooden box carefully into the crook of his left arm.

He took a single step closer to her. He raised his right arm and stretched out his hand toward her, keeping his palm open and entirely inviting.

"Would you like a stroll, Lady Kingsley?"

Rowan asked. His voice dropped into a softer, much more intimate tone, meant only for her ears. He smiled a truly breathtaking smile that made the corners of his brown eyes crinkle with happiness.

Delaney did not hesitate for a single second. Her heart fluttered wildly against her ribs.

She reached out her own gloved hand. She placed her hand firmly into his. His large fingers immediately wrapped around hers, holding her completely safe and perfectly secure. The gentle warmth of his touch traveled straight up her arm.

"I most certainly do," Delaney replied.

Rowan gently placed her hand into the crook of his right arm, exactly where she belonged.

Aunt Renee watched them with a highly approving smile. She held her beautiful bouquet of flowers tightly against her chest.

"Enjoy your walk in the gardens, you two," Aunt Renee instructed them, returning to her proper role as the adult supervisor. "The sun is quite bright today. But please, do stay on the main gravel paths where the ground is dry, so Lady Kingsley does not ruin her fine shoes."

"We will be perfectly careful, Aunt," Rowan promised with a polite nod.

Rowan turned and gently led Delaney out of the drawing room. They walked together down the wide, polished hallway of Oakridge Manor. Their footsteps fell in perfect, comfortable unison. Delaney felt entirely proud walking beside him.

They reached the glass double doors that opened completely out onto the grand stone balcony at the back of the house.

A footman quickly stepped forward and opened the glass doors wide. The crisp, clean, slightly cold air rushed in to greet them.

Rowan and Delaney stepped out onto the large stone balcony. They walked past the empty wicker chairs and the small iron tea table. They walked toward the wide stone staircase that led directly down into the vast, sweeping green gardens of the estate.

Behind them, Aunt Renee followed slowly. She did not walk down the stairs with them. She knew they needed some quiet time to talk.

Instead, Aunt Renee walked to the very edge of the stone balcony. She rested her hands firmly on the cold stone railing. She stood perfectly straight, holding her bright flowers. She positioned herself where she had a perfect, completely unobstructed view of the entire garden below.

She was ready to watch them exactly like a hawk. As a proper Regency chaperone, it was her strict duty to make entirely sure the Duke and her niece remained at a respectable distance, completely in the open, and fully visible at all times.

Rowan led Delaney slowly down the stone steps. They reached the bottom and stepped onto the wide, neat gravel path that wound its way through the vast lawns and the sleeping rose bushes.

The garden was quiet and incredibly peaceful. The large oak trees stood tall and bare against the bright blue sky. A few small birds chirped happily in the high branches.

They walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air and the simple comfort of being entirely together without a room full of people listening to their every word.

"You look absolutely beautiful today, Del," Rowan spoke quietly, looking down at her. He greatly admired the soft peach color of her dress. "The fresh country air has brought the color completely back to your cheeks. You look healthy and entirely perfect."

Delaney smiled, feeling a warm blush spread across her face. She looked up at him.

"And you look very handsome, Rowan," Delaney replied smoothly, her hazel eyes dancing with a playful light. She reached out with her free hand and gently touched the soft wool of his sleeve. "I must say, this deep green coat is a wonderful choice. It suits you much better than the stiff dark blue ones you usually wear in London."

Rowan laughed. It was a rich, deep, genuinely happy sound that completely filled the quiet garden.

"I cannot claim the credit for the fine choice," Rowan confessed honestly, a bright smile on his face. "I must admit, I was completely panicked this yesterday . I stared at my open trunk for almost an hour. I wanted to look perfect for you. I eventually had to ask a young servant boy at the inn to help me choose which coat to wear."

Delaney stopped walking for a brief second. She looked up at him in absolute astonishment.

"You asked an inn servant for fashion advice?" Delaney asked, her voice completely full of disbelief. Him, asking a boy what to wear?

"I did," Rowan nodded, looking entirely unashamed. He started walking again, pulling her gently along the gravel path. "And the boy was absolutely right. He told me the green would be perfect. I tipped him some silver coins for his excellent service."

Delaney let out a bright laugh. She loved that he was so open and completely honest with her. She loved that he had been nervous about seeing her. It made him feel so incredibly real and deeply human.

"Well, please tell the boy I highly approve of his excellent taste," Delaney smiled, holding his arm a little bit tighter.

They continued walking slowly down the main path. They were completely visible from the house. If they looked back, they could easily see Aunt Renee standing tall on the balcony, watching their every single movement with sharp, careful eyes.

"Your aunt is taking her guarding duties very seriously," Rowan noted softly, glancing back toward the large stone house. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"She is French, Rowan," Delaney teased him lightly. "She believes all men are wicked scoundrels who will try to steal a kiss the absolute moment she looks away."

Rowan looked down at her. His eyes darkened just a tiny fraction, filled with a sudden, deep warmth.

"She is an incredibly wise woman," Rowan murmured smoothly, his voice dropping into a low, completely intimate register. "Because if she were not watching us right now, I would absolutely steal a kiss from you beneath these oak trees."

Delaney felt her breath catch in her throat. Her heart beat rapidly against her ribs. She looked at his lips, suddenly wishing her aunt would turn around and go back inside to arrange her flowers.