Page 19 of Courting Claudia
“I’ve heard of such kissing. But I’ve never experienced it.”
It was scandalous even to discuss such a thing in the Livingstons’ front parlor. She should be ashamed of herself. But curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she’d simply had to ask Poppy. Poppy had so many suitors, but of course she had never been kissed in such a way. She wasn’t a tart, as some people clearly were.
Claudia squirmed in her chair and tried to focus on her play. “I’m certain it’s not the thing decent people do,” she added.
“I don’t believe kissing has anything to do with decent or not-so-decent people. Why the sudden interest in kissing?”
“I was merely curious. That’s all. It’s your move.”
Poppy moved her knight, then her head snapped up. “Did Richard kiss you?”
“No! Of course not. He’s never.”
“Never?”
“No.”
“Not even on the cheek?”
“No. Is that not normal?”
“I don’t know, Claude. I don’t think so. Perhaps Richard is afraid of what your father would say.”
“You’re probably right.” But she wasn’t so positive. A sickening feeling lay in her stomach like day-old bread. “It’s not me, is it?”
Poppy shook her head. “Absolutely not. Not possible. Perhaps he’s waiting until you’re officially engaged.”
Claudia sipped her tea, but the lukewarm liquid did nothing to soothe her anxiety.
“You could ask him,” Poppy offered.
“Ask him what?”
“Why he hasn’t kissed you.”
“Are you mad? I could never do that.”
“Well, then you could kiss him.”
“Gracious, no.”
Poppy shrugged.
“Have you ever kissed a man?” Claudia asked.
“Once. I was fourteen, I think, or was it sixteen? Jared Hendricks. We were staying in the country, and he came to visit his grandparents who lived nearby. He spent the entire summer chasing me, and one day I let him catch me, and then I kissed him. Just to see what it was like.”
“And?”
“It wasn’t that memorable.” Her nose wrinkled. “I recall he smelled funny.”
Derrick hadn’t smelled funny at all. He’d smelled rather delicious, if she remembered correctly, like sandalwood and mint. But it did not matter what he smelled like. Richard was her beau.
“Suppose I want Richard to kiss me. Short of having him chase me around the garden, do you have any suggestions?”
“My mother always told me that you know if a man wants to kiss you because he looks at your mouth. Does he ever do that?”
“Your mother told you that?”