Chapter Two

October 18, 1877

Slender little Jasmine Goodhill, whose long dark burgundy hair rippled, and amber eyes glinted in the Turkish sun, began affectionately, “Promoted to colonel. Colonel. Colonel Adrian Woolf has a nice ring to it. Are you certain you didn’t purchase your commission?”

Both she, and a tall muscular man in a scarlet uniform, who escorted her down the road, strode close to one another, arm-in-arm.

“But of course you would doubt me, my darling sceptical Jasmine, doubting every move I make. No, my upgrade was established simply by merit, not by spending my fortune; to expend that is in my pursuit of the lady in my current company,” the officer said with a smirk.

“You tease me, while I sir, hold to you only the highest esteem.”

“Indeed I do not, and neither is my intention to torment you, I simply lack for you a term to attach my endearment,” and he smirked again.

Jasmine swatted him with her free hand in jest, “And you are so untrustworthy! That devilish smile, and clever eyes can only get you so far in this life, I can hardly imagine however you might attempt to seduce another man on the battlefield with them.”

“You are absolutely right, I am terribly sorry for my poor behaviour, and tricky nature, and I promise to shape up, and perhaps even become the... man of your dreams, or the gentleman my father hoped I would be... or the daughter my mother wished I would be…”

Jasmine rolled her eyes as they continued to stroll along the empty seawall, the swells hardly noticeable, and the heat from the sun comforting.

“It is a tactical challenge I’ll have you know, persuading my enemy to spare my life. I assume this was why my superiors chose to promote me in the first place.”

“A fantastical alternative to the truth, as I understand it, though one I hope you will always spare me in the future.”

“For you my lady, I shall do my utmost. Unless of course, I find myself having to protect you from evil-doers on your front doorstep, wherein it may near be impossible.”

“Oh, without a doubt. Night and day I find myself encumbered with provocateurs and mischief-makers of all the like, and am afraid to say I do weary from fighting them off on my lonesome,” said she holding back a laugh.

“With no help from your chaperone?”

“Never!” and here she couldn’t help herself from an outburst of laughter, as she looked at her suitor’s crazed, smitten smile.

“And how nimble you are to elude your chaperone.”

“I know. Tis not fair for the poor man though, he tries so very hard. So we mustn’t let him worry too long before he is forced to report I was abducted.”

“Well, if you insist,”

“I insist.”

“Then your wish is my command. Come now you deadly creature, let us return you home before it is too late.”

Jasmine began in the opposite direction, when Adrian grabbed her petticoat, carefully spun her around, and stooped down to quickly plant his lips upon hers. She gleaned, and turned a primrose, before relenting a glorious smile, and a chuckle.

“Now now, colonel, you ought to be on your best behaviour. No more of these naughty tricks. If my mother, and my uncle ever found out about this tomfoolery,”

“Oh dash the rules,” Adrian interrupted, holding her hands in his, playing with her fingers in a whimsical way, “we are completely alone, ‘broad the gay promenade, and none could be the wiser of our… nefarious misconduct!”

“Yes, but if you make a habit of announcing to the world in that frolicsome manner…”

“Frolicsome?” The colonel chortled.

“Yes, and don’t chide me! It’s not gentlemanlike.”

“Not? Not gentlemanlike? I have been nothing but.”

“You’ve been anything but,” quipped Jasmine.

“Perhaps that’s why you enjoy my company so?”

“Perhaps,” she said letting her voice trail off, and breaking free from her companion’s relenting grasp, wandering back from where she came.

“Suppose then,” continued Adrian, sauntering behind, adrift of his usual soldierly gait, “I were to make clear to your mother and uncle, when they arrive of course, with due diligence… my intentions.”

Jasmine stopped dead, and with a flourish, spun around to face the straggler, who didn’t make eye contact with her, his firmly fixed on the cobbled avenue. “And what might your intentions be?”

“Hmm?” Adrian said straightening out, as if he didn’t understand the question. “What intentions?”

“Enough evasion you scalawag. A moment ago you would have belted it as loudly as you could, and all of a sudden you’ve gone shy?”

Jasmine let the man catch up to her, and in one quick movement, her held her so close, yet so gently, their noses touched. She was in awe of the man, but knew what he was about to say.

“The only reason I haven’t already asked for your hand, is for the sake of propriety, out of respect for your family, and your father whom I dearly miss, and because I daren’t leave your side for more than a day or a night in between to travel all the way home to England, for your uncle’s permission. I could watch a thousand suns rise and set, but none would compare to your beauty, or are as warm as having you by my side, and I couldn’t bare leaving, even to spur a chance at engagement.”

Jasmine’s eyes welled, but she kept her composure, and cleared her throat, “Is that all you have to say? That you-”

“Jasmine, I love you. I’m not a romantic like you, of course, and I most certainly am not one for grand gestures, but I do have this small token for you,” and the man suddenly began to kneel down, and presented Jasmine with a small jewel-encrusted band.

Jasmine gasped, and didn’t know if she was crying or not now, but she immediately wiped her blushing face, and paid close attention to what Adrian had to say next, “I know it can’t be official or remotely overt, but would you, Jasmine Goodhill, marry me?”

“Of course I will marry you! Yes! Yes you rotten scoundrel!" and she grabbed his outstretched hand, and hoisted him up to kiss him.

Author's Note

An excerpt of a chapter.

Reviews

[Rhys Kihill]

I recommend that you finish this chapter, and the first one, so there is context, and then keep writing. Because I'd like to know what happens. If Adrian earned his commission. Or if he and Jasmine WILL get married.