Mrs Hughes stood stunned as without warning Mr Carson dipped his head down and met her lips to his. She stood frozen with shock, unmoving, paralysed. Realising she had not moved a muscle Mr Carson drew back as shame filled his heart.
"Mrs. Hughes...oh...I'm so sorry. That completely out of line and you have every right to..." He stuttered overcome by what he had just done.
"I will not add to your discomfort... I will leave you. Please...er... Please try to forgive me." In a daze he staggered to the door and stumbled down the hallway, grasping the wall for support he fled to his pantry and closed the door behind him. The bitter feeling of rejection burned through him, what had he done?
She had looked so perfect standing over her desk, her head tilted in concentration; the lamp casting a warm glow over her beautiful hair. They had been talking about arrangements for this weeks dinner parties, nothing out of the ordinary. Her back was to him when he stepped closer attempting to read the weeks schedule that she was deliberating about. All of a sudden she had turned and neither of them realised exactly how close the other was standing. Mrs Hughes gave out a gasp, he felt her breath on his skin. They stared at each other for what felt like forever, neither daring to break the spell. But then he had looked at her lips. That had been a mistake. Once he'd looked at her mouth, ever so slightly parted breathing in shallow breaths, he'd been lost.
Overcome with emotion she had not been able to speak. Not a sound escaped her. Oh how the touch of his lips made her feel. She watched in horror as he fled her pantry. Did he regret it? She couldn't stop the tears that threatened to fall at that last thought. She had to know. Choking back her tears she left her sitting room in a daze and hurried to his room. She burst through the door and was met with the sight of him sitting at his desk with his head in his hands.
What had he done. He had disrespected the only woman he ever truly loved. But he couldn't stop himself. He looked up as she entered saw the tears on her cheeks and the shame hit him like a blow to his weary heart. He had made her cry. His foolish actions had made the dearest woman to him cry. It was his doing. He looked down at his hands, tears of his own forming in his eyes at the thought of having caused her pain.
She came round the desk looking down at him. He couldn't look at her. Too overcome with shame and embarrassment at his own actions. Her hesitant steps approached him he expected a reprimand, her Scottish temper to flare. Put him in his place.
He felt her soft fingertips lift and turn his chin towards her and he felt himself forget how to breathe as she leaned down and placed her soft lips to his. Confusion swarmed his brain. He was sure he had offended her, that she hadn't accepted his advances. He lost himself in her lips, kissing her back, slowly releasing the tension and sorrow of moments before as he heard her sigh against his lips. He lifted his hands up to the nape of her neck, felt the soft tendrils of her hair tickle his fingertips.
Their lips parted and she rested her forehead against his.
"Oh my dear man. How could you ever doubt my feelings for you."
He felt the tears prick in his eyes again. His hands came round to rest on her cheeks as he took in the brilliant smile spreading across her face.
He sighed, overcome with emotion, "I love you" he whispered as his eyes flickered shut.
She gazed down at him and as he opened his eyes she felt herself falling into those hazel eyes.
"I love you too"