They spent the next hour working on technique. She was a natural thrower and continued to improve as they practiced. Once they finished, they gathered their blades and returned to the house. Another awkward silence enveloped them as they ambled toward the house.
Simon wondered if it was strictly embarrassment causing the stiffness between them. Before they reached the house, he stopped her by the small fountain.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“We need to talk about this morning.” He took her hand and they sat on the edge of the fountain. A little cupid spewed water from his mouth as they sat on the stone edge.
“Simon, there is no need to discuss what happened this morning.” Her cheeks brightened with embarrassment.
“You have acted uncomfortable around me ever since.”
She looked away from him wistfully. “It’s only that I never...”
“Never what?” he asked when she failed to finish her sentence.
“I had never done that with a man.”
Odd. She had acted like she knew exactly what she’d been doing. “Indeed?”
“No man has ever kissed me...” Again her voice trailed off as her cheeks became even redder.
It dawned on him exactly what she’d meant. “Did it bother you that I did that?”
“Bother?” She giggled slightly. “No, it didn’t bother me. But is that something most couples do?”
“Tell me, Mia, did you enjoy it?”
“Yes,” she said in an amazed voice. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”
“Then why are you embarrassed by it? A couple should do what both enjoy. I certainly enjoyed what you did for me.”
“Oh.” She looked up at him with a little smile.
“But what we did today only made me want you more,” he said softly. “I want to be inside you when I come next time.”
“Oh.” She stared down at her hands. “Shouldn’t we wait until we marry before doing that?”
“I suppose we should.” He glanced over at her. “Are you telling me you have agreed to marry me?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I cannot until I know for certain that I am not with child.”
“And?”
“I don’t know yet.”
As much as he wanted to press her with the information her mother had given him, he couldn’t betray Mrs. Featherstone’s trust. Plus Mia might be very upset that her mother had talked to him about such a personal matter. “When do you think you will know?”
“I am not completely certain,” she replied in a tight voice.
“Very well.” Simon stood and held out a hand for her.
“I am quite tired. I believe I will take a nap and have a plate in my room tonight.”
“As you wish,” he said stiffly. He escorted her back into the house and then went downstairs to the punching bag.
Mia watched as Simon walked away. She hated lying to him about being tired and dining in her room, but she had to find a way out of the house alone. Once he was out of sight, she headed to the library hoping any servant who might see her would assume she was going to read. She picked out a book and left it open on a chair.
After a quick glance outside, she opened the door to the terrace and walked out. She strode toward Mrs. Perkins’s cottage. With her knife training this afternoon, she was tired but knew she had no choice but to do this today. Once Simon discovered she was with child, he would ask her to return to her mother’s cottage. Then she might never have the chance to help him with his finances.