Chapter 15

 

Breathtaking… it was the only way to describe London’s National Art Gallery. So much history, so much talent, all under one roof. Both Gwen and Crispin were rendered speechless in the presence of works by Van Gogh, Caravaggio, Rubens and countless other European Masters from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

“Awesome, simply awesome…” was all Crispin could say while meandering from room to room. At his side, Gwen could only nod in agreement. The place was huge and filled with so many paintings, hours had gone by before they sat down for coffee in the gallery’s classy espresso bar.

“You okay?” Crispin asked, returning with their beverages to the small table.

“More than okay. I’m just overwhelmed by what we just saw.”

“Incredible, isn’t it?” he agreed. “Here, I assumed you’d want tea. Correct me if I’m wrong.”

“Earl Grey, my favourite,” Gwen said with a smile of gratitude that went straight through to his heart. “Perfect, thanks.”

“It’s what you were drinking that first day we met in the café.”

“You remembered that small detail?”

“No detail too small,” Crispin said with a wink.

Gwen couldn’t contain her smile. To say Crispin was charming would be a huge understatement. They’d had such an awesome time so far. It wasn’t lost on her how they hadn’t said much to each other while in the gallery. They hadn’t needed words. Or rather words hadn’t been necessary.

“So many beautiful paintings in one place,” she said wistfully. “I can’t get over it.”

“Yes, and the day is only half over.” He checked his watch.

“I’m glad we came here today. Thanks for taking charge like that. Sometimes I lose focus.”

At her choice of words, Crispin leaned forward in his chair, gazed into her eyes and quirked a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “No worries, taking charge is my specialty.”

Gwen couldn’t say why his phrasing had her squirming in her seat but then again everything about the man turned her insides to jelly.

“How do you feel about that?”

“I… I quite like the sound of that.” She giggled playfully.

He smiled wickedly in response. “Keep that up and I might just have to take you back to the inn.” He reached across the table and took her hand before adding, “…lock you up.” He scraped his teeth across his bottom lip. Holding her gaze, he traced lazy circles into her palm with his fingers.

At his intimate touch, she felt her cheeks flush and an undeniable heat coursed through her veins from her heart to her core. “Is that a threat or a promise?” she teased him, playing it cool although she hadn’t missed the predatory gleam in his eyes.

“Quite playful, aren’t you? I like that.” He gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go. “Go on, drink your tea. We’ve got plenty more to do and see.” At that moment, he couldn’t care less about sightseeing. He’d much rather take her back to the inn and test his theory, especially since she seemed quite willing. Yet he knew it would be unfair. He’d be taking advantage of her infatuation with him. They’d end up spending their entire time locked up in the bedroom. They would miss all the sights and he couldn’t do that to her. Just seeing her eyes light up as the entered the gallery that morning told him how much this trip meant to her. Besides, there would be plenty of time for fooling around later. Maybe that very night.

 

***

 

It had stopped raining by the time they left the gallery. Hand in hand, they made their way out, taking a walk around the crazy intersection of Trafalgar Square. Gwen hadn’t even had the chance to ask where-to-next before Crispin tightened his grip on her hand and ran for the double decker bus that would take them along the Strand. Still laughing at the expression on her face, Crispin slid into his seat first and caught her as she fell into him when the bus lurched and started off.

“Crispin, my heart’s practically in my throat!” she gasped, catching her breath.

“You wanted adventure, you’re getting it, aren’t you?” he teased, wrapping his arm around her.

“And then some.” She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, nose in his hair, hand on his chest. They sat like that for a little while and then suddenly he straightened up and pulled away. Gwen took the hint and sat up in her seat. He had turned quiet and pensive and she hadn’t missed that either. While his reaction was less abrupt than when she had clung to him the night before, it was similar enough for her to wonder why he went from hot to cold when she held him. He had put his arm around her, and he had taken her hand more than once already that day. Yet the moment she reciprocated the affection, he would pull away.

Before long, she put it out of her mind. Taking in the view from the bus as they weaved through the streets was quite the experience. “I can’t believe I’m seeing all this.” The architecture was awe inspiring and the streets themselves were so alive with activity.

“It’s different, that’s for sure,” Crispin said it about the scenery but he meant it about the turmoil stirring in his gut. Something in the way she clung to him scared the hell out of him and he wasn’t quite sure how to handle it.

“It’s like watching a motion picture or visiting a movie set but in this case, it’s the real thing,” Gwen gushed. “And the real thing is incredible. I’m sorry, I’m babbling but it’s hard to convey the right words.”

“Don’t apologize for your enthusiasm. Babble on, if it makes you happy.”

“You make me happy,” she blurted, catching them both off guard. She hoped he wouldn’t take offence to her exuberance as he did her touch, but she was so grateful for his company, she couldn’t help herself. When he smiled sideways at her, she was glad her words were easier for him to accept.

“Cheeky monkey.” He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her again. Not wanting him to draw away from her, she kept her hands on her lap and simply accepted his embrace.

They soon arrived at their intended stop and Crispin held tightly to Gwen’s hand as they exited the bus. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she spotted the majestic dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

“You okay?” Crispin asked, seeing the look of awe on her face. When she smiled at him, he felt his defensive inner walls begin to crumble yet again. Letting his guard down for the moment, he allowed her to cling tenaciously to his hand.

“Oh, my God, Crispin! I can’t believe I’m here. I can’t believe I’m seeing this.”

“Come on, let’s grab something to eat before we go in.” Crispin chuckled when she followed him blindly, still looking over her shoulder at the remarkable centuries-old cathedral. Her enthusiasm was contagious, to say the least. As much as he would like to be indifferent, he couldn’t, not when she made everything so wonderfully awe inspiring.

After grabbing sandwiches and juice from the handy Marks and Spencer, Crispin led her to the steps in front of St. Paul’s. Like others around them, they sat and ate while taking in the gorgeous view. They took turns taking pictures with Gwen’s camera and, of course, a few selfies. Crispin’s long arms came in handy for those. She was quite pleased he had initiated the shots of them together here and there. Now and again, passing couples like themselves would swap cameras to take pictures of each other.

After visiting the Cathedral, they walked towards the River Thames and crossed the pedestrian-only steel suspension Millennium Bridge. Somewhere in the middle, they stopped to have a look around.

“Are you glad you came, Crispin?” she asked, watching him.

“Yeah, I am,” he said with a wistful smile.

“You’re not still upset at me for tagging along?”

“Upset… I was never upset with you.” He chuckled and gave his head a small shake. “I was furious.”

“Are you still furious?”

He looked at her and smirked. “Nah, turns out, I quite like your company.” He took her hand and started walking again.

“I’m glad because I love your company.” Gwen practically skipped as she walked. This was turning out to be the best trip ever. Better than she could have ever imagined.

“Don’t be so sure of that,” Crispin said, clipping her thoughts short. “You may change your mind soon enough.”

She searched his handsome yet guarded profile for a clue as to what he was getting at. “Not possible,” she assured him.

He then tightened his grip on her fingers, almost painfully so. “Everyone says that at first,” he gritted out before he abruptly dropped her hand and started walking on ahead. So quick and purposeful were his steps, Gwen had to practically run to catch up.

There it was again, Gwen thought with a frown. He had switched from hot to cold. She didn’t know why but she suddenly recalled the day in the jewellery shop. His friend Becky had referred to him as her prickly Goth. Gwen couldn’t agree more with that nickname. The title suited him perfectly. After reaching the other side, he once again slowed and allowed her to reach his side. When she’d caught up, she caught her breath, and then she lost it again at the sight of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.

“Wow!” Gwen clapped with glee, momentarily forgetting her woes.

“Wow, indeed,” Crispin grumbled, watching her run up ahead.