dancer, those I intend to keep for myself.”
“Am I obliged to yield to those wishes?”
Was that flirtatious or provocation? “Let’s just say it would please me if you did,” he carefully returned. “I believe I’m jealous,” he said with a look of surprise. “It must be your beguiling decolletage inspiring me,” he drawled, quick to ascribe his curious feelings to more familiar causes.
“Do you think it’s too daring?” Claire nervously queried. “Auntie said it was.”
“Hardly,” he said. “Most females display their breasts without compunction.”
She found herself annoyed at his observation. But she’d no more than acknowledged her resentment, than she chastised herself for a fool. Did she really think a man like Ormond would be anything more than he was? Why wouldn’t a rake and libertine notice breasts? Do not forget the kind of man you are dealing with, she warned herself.
But as the music came to an end, Ormond himself prompted her to face the reality of her agreement with him. “Come, we’ll see that Harriet is content in the company of her swains, and then I’ll show you my cousin’s library.”
“Meaning?” Did he propose to drag her off without regard for propriety?
“Meaning, I thought you might enjoy seeing the late earl’s renowned collection of maps and books on exploration.” He smiled faintly. “I have no plans to seduce you this minute if that’s what you were thinking. Ah, here comes Catherine. Would you like her to come with us and save your reputation?” he teased.
Lady Harville waved her fan in the direction of the gaming room as she reached them. “I just introduced your aunt to Lady Strand who was looking for a fourth for whist. They are off arm and arm.”
“Oh, dear. My aunt is alarmingly serious about whist and a bit outspoken, I’m afraid.”
“As is Lady Strand on both counts.” Catherine smiled. “Don’t worry. All will be well.” She glanced at Harriet twirling past in Seego’s arms. “I see your sister is being amused.”
“Indeed. Thank you for inviting us and thank you too for the wonderful books.”
“They were of no use to me and James rather thought you would like them,” she replied, not quibbling over the truth when this woman might offer James some happiness-however brief.
“Speaking of books, I was about to show Miss Russell Harry’s map collection. Would you care to join us?”
“I would love to if I could get away from my guests. Unfortunately, I see Charlotte over there looking daggers at Anne.” She made a small moue. “They are sharing a lover at the moment which makes for bad feelings. Pelham should know better, of course, but he doesn’t, insensitive rake that he is. Heavens-they’re about to make a scene!”
As she rushed away to intercede, Ormond said with a shrug, “Pelham
Claire shot a quick glance at the dance floor.
“Harriet’s fine,” Ormond said. “She won’t miss you or your aunt.”
“I’m afraid you’re right,” Claire murmured.
“Certainly that’s beneficial, is it not?”
“Yes, yes, it is. Only-”
“Only she doesn’t need you anymore?” Ormond said with a small smile as they entered the corridor. “You haven’t been paying attention, darling.”
She shouldn’t have responded to the word darling, to the warmth in his voice. And if he hadn’t leaned over and lightly kissed her cheek, she would have been better able to resist.
“For heaven’s sake, behave.” But even as she spoke a rush of pleasure streaked through her body.
“I wish I could. Two days seems like a lifetime.” In fact, he’d been remarkably disciplined; two days was a record for him. Women, didn’t as a rule, rebuff him.
“Perhaps we should go back to the ballroom.” The nervous tremor in her voice was obvious.
“Perhaps we shouldn’t,” he murmured, kissing her cheek again.
“Don’t you dare embarrass me,” she whispered, nervously glancing around, grateful to see them alone in the hallway.
“I’ll try not to.”
“James!”
He took a deep breath. “I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Everything
“I’m sorry.” She shouldn’t have given into her vanity.
He smiled. “It’s not your fault. I would have found you irresistible in a shift.” He grinned. “Probably more irresistible. Here, we’ve reached the library,” he said, opening a door and ushering her in. “Now if you keep your distance, all will be well.”
She was partially mollified by his admission. She preferred not admitting that she’d dressed for seduction. That she desired him. That only fear of discovery served to restrain her ardor. “I shall keep my distance,” she said, although the lack of conviction in her voice was conspicuous.
His nostrils flared like a wolf on the scent.
Shutting the door behind him, he turned the key in the lock.
Chapter Eight
“Don’t,” she whispered, backing away from him.
“No one would think of coming into the library.” Stripping off his white kid evening gloves, he let them drop.
“Someone might!” Backing into a large chair, flustered, she came to a stop.
“They won’t,” he said, moving toward her at a circumspect pace. “And even if they did, the door is locked.”
“James, I beg of you!”
But the tremor in her voice wasn’t fear, her breathing had accelerated, and her nipples were taut beneath the fine silk of her bodice. “Don’t worry-you’re perfectly safe,” he offered soothingly.
“Allow me to disagree.” Restive and skittish, she shifted from foot to foot as though about to bolt.
Dare he say to a wavering virgin that he wouldn’t come in her-that he never did? Or would such bluntness frighten her more? “I promise you no repercussions of any kind,” he said delicately.
“That’s not a promise you can fulfill,” she said with a small vehemence.
“Forgive me if I’m too direct, but if you fear becoming pregnant, you needn’t. I’m very dependable.”
“I see.” She took a small breath. “That is rather direct.”
I’m sorry. I was hoping to allay your fears.” He briefly frowned. “This is unusual for us both, I fear.”
“Because women normally fall into your arms?”
Under the circumstances, that was not a question he cared to answer. “How can it matter,” he said, softly, instead, “whether we make love tonight or tomorrow or the next day?”
“This is not love.”
“It all depends on your interpretation.” She was right, though, about women falling into his arms. Dealing with a woman who didn’t was turning out to be-well…time consuming, he facetiously thought, suddenly amused by this curious scuffle.
“Is something humorous?”
“Would you like the truth?”
“I would like to be somewhere else,” she pettishly replied, struggling to reconcile her potent desires with the manifold improprieties.
He smiled. “Perhaps in my bed?”
“Very amusing.”
“I dare say you’d find it more than amusing.”
