God Bless You, John

This is my entry for the -  

Once Upon a Time Writing Contest

“I cannot court you any longer . . . I find that I’m not attracted to women.”

That had been what John had said to her.

John, the gentleman who had been courting her.

And wasn’t that good for her reputation? That she had no prospects and she’d converted one of the most eligible gentlemen in London.

Iris forced out a sudden breath and lost her footing on the soil. Then she fell backwards, not a speck of her remaining dry in the icy pond her dress floated on.

Probably looked like a soggy cream puff now. An angry one, after screaming into her bonnet like a lunatic before forcing herself out of the numbing water.

“Afternoon, Miss Smith,” came an amused voice. “Enjoyed your swim?”

Reluctantly, Iris looked up at the jet black hair and granite eyes that were the irresistible Michael Connolly. Newly arrived from Bath and already to blame for a few hundred broken hearts, Iris couldn’t say she was immune to his charms.

 “Please go away.”

But she was not in the mood.

“Just met John?”

Her eyebrows rose in question and a rueful expression touched his face. “I know what happened.”

 “Then please leave.”

“It wasn’t my fault. I thought he was just friendly,” he shrugged.

“What are you talking about?”

He raked a hand through his hair. “Christ! He didn’t tell you what he told me.”

“What?”

Michael’s face flushed crimson. “He said he loves me. John.”

“Of course,” she muttered.

 “You’re angry at me?” he said in disbelief.

 “It isn’t enough that every woman in the ton is in love with you? Now the only man who has ever taken an interest in me?” she yelled.

Silence struck his whole person then one step and their faces were almost touching.

“Not the only man,” he breathed, as he tilted her head up and captured her lips in a kiss that stole her anger. She leaned into his masculine warmth and sandalwood scent, then he wrapped his arms around her soaking frame and finally shook with laughter as he said, “God bless you, John.”

Words: 350