He ran as fast as his bare feet could take him. In front of God, Alex and everybody within hearing distance, Lady Amelia called for him to stop so she could grant him his kiss. Only this time he didn't have the same lead as before. She reached the top of the hill, her dark hair plastered against her sweaty face.Īlex nodded to her and Elijah moved his head back behind the tree, debating about just when he should start running again.Ī twig snapped from somewhere in Alex's vicinity and he peeked around the tree just in time to meet Lady Amelia's grey eyes, then he was running again. He crested a hill and came to a halt when he saw his brother Alex, who was home on academic leave from Eton, sitting under a tree and reading some boring tome about plants.Įlijah pressed his finger against his lips then ran behind a large oak.įrom behind the tree, he positioned one eye so he could watch Lady Amelia. “ I'll get you,” she called to him with a wild giggle, making kissing noises as loudly as she could while she chased after him. Her unpinned, mud brown hair whipped wildly in the wind as she chased him around the maple tree and down the stone walkway leading to the shed, trampling over his mother's wildflowers before running up the large hill that led to the house. “ You'd better run, Elijah, because when I catch you, you'll be getting this kiss whether you want it or not,” she called as she chased him around the field.

Lips still puckered and ready, she stepped closer to him. He just needs a little kiss!” She puckered her lips and leaned forward.Įight-year-old Elijah was off his bottom and to his feet before she could come within a foot of him, let alone touch her puckered lips to his skin. Lady Amelia twisted her lips and enthusiastically nodded her agreement.

“ He isn’t, is he?” Henry, his twin, chimed in, grinning. “ And why not?” She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips.Ī sound of annoyance erupted from her throat and she stomped her foot. “ You're it!” five-year-old Lady Amelia Brice squealed as she pressed her dirty hands against Elijah's back.Įlijah remained seated in his shady spot on the grass and swatted at the neighbor girl who had an odd tendency to think of him as her playmate. If you do, your education will be sorely lacking. It should also be noted, this book was not written as a history textbook.

If you obtained this copy illegally, please respect the author and her time enough to purchase a copy. This book may not be reproduced by any means, including but not limited to, mechanical, Xerox, digital, auditorial and/or in print. If any name, event and/or locale did exist, it is purely by coincidence it appears in this book. All names, events and locales are a product of this author’s overactive imagination.

Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon