Rags Meets Riches

After we left the theater, I felt like a new women. There was something about the situation that made it seem so exciting and rebellious. Maybe it was because Harry and I had snuck in instead of paying to watch. Something about being with Harry was exhilarating and worthwhile.

“I don’t want to go home just yet,” I told him once I realized we were walking down a path that would eventually lead us back to the iron gates of the mansion. “Not yet, Harry. There’s still time left.”

“Well we can always find something else to do,” He suggested. “What do you want to do?”

“Anything. You decide.” I didn’t know what else we could do.

“You’re no fun,” He complained but then began walking in the opposite direction of the mansion. I let out a sigh of relief as I trailed behind him, viewing the city that unfolded itself right before me. The lights that were starting to come on made everything so much more beautiful.

The walk was short and soon we reached a body of water rippling over slowly. “A lake,” I spoke aloud. We walked closer, stopping once we reached the downslope of the hill we were on. Harry pretended to push me off and I held out both of my hands in defense. “You took me to a lake and now you’re trying to push me off the hill?!”

“I know you’re quite fond of lakes,” He paused, chuckling to himself. “If you really did fall in, I wouldn’t hesitate to jump in after you.”

“How heroic.” I laughed, reminiscing the night Harry and I officially had a decent conversation sitting out under the light radiating off of the stars and moon.

“Why are you looking at me like that? I’m not going to actually push you off Adelaide.” Harry asked once he caught me looking at him. “Stop it.”

I shrugged and hid my face in my shoulder to prevent him from seeing the wide smile plastered on my face. “I was just wondering about something.”

“Wondering about what precisely?”

“You,” I said simply.

“What about me?” He ran his thumb along his bottom lip thoughtfully.

“Why are you dressed so formally? Do you have something to go to after this? Did you promise me the evening and another maiden the night?” I teased him as I fixed the collar of his shirt and adjusted his bowtie.

“Funny,” He said while he rolled his eyes. “As if anyone would want endeavor with a criminal but you. I’m still wondering if that has fully crossed your mind yet. Why did you decide to sneak out today? Why did you decide to trust me?”

“Because I was curious,” I admitted. “I wanted to know what it was like to live.”

“Curiosity has its flaws as well though, remember that. It can be a tragic flaw. I’d be careful if I were you,” He said. “Now, referring back to what you said earlier. Is it such a crime to be dressed nicely that you have to ask me why I’m dressed nicely?”

“Well no,” I faltered, realizing that he was playing with me again. “But why? Is there a reason.”

“Because I wanted to impress you.” He laughed as he sat down on the cool grass, motioning for me to take the unoccupied space next to him. “Have you ever been kissed?” Harry’s question caught me by complete surprise and I only heard a soft chuckle afterwards. “Well, have you?”

“Excuse me?”

My eyes dilated as I tilted my head to the side and rested my cheek on my shoulder, catching his sparkling emerald eyes that glistened under the broad moonlight cascading over the stealthy night sky. Placing both of his palms flat onto the grass field, he shifted his weight and I could see the material of his jacket start to straighten as his muscles became rigid and hard to the touch.

The period of time between sunrise and sunset felt infinite all of sudden when his lips subtly curled into a half-smile that took my breath away effortlessly. My fingers nervously fiddled with the hem of my blouse while I replayed the question he had asked instantaneously. He dropped his gaze and looked out across the meandering stream in front of us and released a nearly silent sigh.

“I know you heard me.” He spoke with a slow and easy tone with a voice that sounded like it belonged to a lullaby that I wanted to hear over and over again. It was such a lovely sound. “Have you ever been kissed, Adelaide?” He repeated his question, this time adding my name. I watched him slowly scoot closer to me, bringing his eyes back up to meet mine.

“I…” I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Before I could even complete my sentence or thought he leaned in and brought our lips to the closest possible proximity, kissing me softly in a delicately tender way. One of his hands left the ground and cupped my cheek where heat was blazing underneath my skin. I wondered if he could sense my slight anxiety, but I decided against the thought after he kissed me again. A warm feeling filled me inside and I felt my pulse quicken, a sensation I had never felt before in my life. It was magnificent.

He pulled away and I immediately glanced down not being able to take the building tension. I rolled in both of my lips, taking in the sweet taste while it still lingered. From the corner of my eyes, I could see him smirking slightly. My fingers reached up to touch my cheek which was flushing bright red and he only laughed, throwing his head back a couple of inches. His curls fell back and for the first time, I saw his forehead which was currently creased with laughter lines. He slid his tongue across his lips slowly, moistening them.

“That’s what a real kiss feels like, princess,” He told me in a soft whisper that echoed through the silence of the night.

Notes

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- Brianna -