Sheffield came to stand beside him. “Graystone and his wife seem to remain occupied with their guests. When do you plan on having your meeting with Lady Theodora?”
“As soon as I can wrench her from her plethora of admirers,” he nearly growled out the words. He was not accustomed to sharing her, and he was not liking it. Not at all.
“Sounds like there is a little trouble in paradise,” Fox said, then grinned. “Please tell me you’re not in love with her. You reassured me you were not in the market for a wife.”
“I wasn’t,” he said.
“But you are now?” Sheffield lifted a brow. “I suppose that the right woman might change a man’s perspective.”
Ezra would have to agree with that statement. “Graystone fell in love and married. That should have been a sign it could happen to us as well.”
“That’s what I was trying to tell you,” Fox exclaimed. He threw up his hands in the air. “Why does no one ever listen to me?”
“Because you often speak nonsense?” Sheffield grinned. He patted Fox’s shoulder in a reassuring manner. “You shouldn’t be overly concerned. No sane woman would willing agree to be your wife. I’m sure you’ll remain safe for many years to come.”
Fox glared at him. “You are not helping.”
“How about I find Graystone’s brandy and share it with you? Will that make it all better?” Sheffield’s tone was cajoling, like he was attempting to soothe a spoiled child.
“Yes,” Fox said. “But you are not fooling me. I know you want the brandy as much as I do.”
Ezra shook his head in disgust. “Don’t get too inebriated. I’m going to still need your help.”
“We won’t,” they said in unison as they walked off.
Ezra tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the dance to finish. While Fox and Sheffield talked around him, he’d been keeping tabs on Teddy. The first dance had ended and the damn Duke of Darling claimed her hand for the next one. How many gentlemen had signed her card? He gritted his teeth. First a marquess and now a duke. How was he supposed to compete with those titles? Would she even care? He’d mucked everything up with her, and he couldn’t see straight anymore.
Finally, the dance ended, and Ezra stalked to where Darling was leading her. When they exited the floor, he was standing in front of her. She stopped short when she noticed him. She turned to Darling and said, “Your Grace, thank you for the wonderful dance. Lord Carrolton is waiting for me now.”
Darling bowed. “I do hope we’ll speak again soon.”
“Certainly,” Teddy agreed.
Ezra clenched his hands into fists at his side. Somehow, he managed to keep them there and not punch Darling’s pretty face. A bruise would improve it…Ezra was certain of it. After the duke left, he turned to Teddy, “Don’t let anyone else sign your card.”
She frowned. “The entire purpose of a ball is to dance. Why should I refrain if a gentleman asks?”
Because Ezra might cause a scandal. He couldn’t tell her that though. She would think he’d lost his mind. “We need to talk. Come with me.”
He didn’t give her a chance to tell him no. Ezra took her hand in his and led her out to the balcony and into the extensive gardens. There was a small maze that Graystone had installed as a place he could escape with his lovers…when he’d had a lover he wished to hide. Not many people could walk through the maze without becoming lost. Carrolton was one of the few who knew it well.
They reached the heart of the maze. She should be concerned about her reputation, but she couldn’t discern one reason to bother. There was a fountain with Aphrodite at the center. Graystone had believed it appropriate, considering why he’d designed the maze. The moon was full, and its light spilled over Teddy’s beautiful face. “You’re stunning tonight,” he said huskily.
“Thank you?” She made it sound like a question.
“You are,” he reassured her. “All the gentlemen in there are competing for your attention. You’ll have suitors aplenty after tonight.”
“That upsets you?”
“More than I like to admit,” he told her, then pulled her into his arms. “I find I don’t like the idea of sharing you, but I also realize that’s not my decision to make. You’re capable of making your own choices.”
She smiled. “If you believe that, why did you drag me out here?”
“Because I’m a man, and I don’t always think before I react.” He touched his forehead to hers. “And I want to kiss you desperately.”
“Then kiss me,” she said. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard it clearly. They had other things to discuss, and they would; however, he fully intended to kiss her as passionately as he’d been dreaming first.
Ezra lowered his head and placed his lips on hers. Hot burning spikes shot down his spine, and his head spun. He deepened the kiss and touched his tongue to hers. Desire spilled over him, and he lost all ability to think. When a kiss such as this one existed, who needed the ability to reason anyway?
Chapter 9
When Ezra had kissed her before, Teddy had liked it, but it left her a little uninspired. She had expected more from a kiss. Something like fire and need all jumbled together. She understood now. If he had kissed her like this sooner, she’d have given herself to him. Probably would have begged him to ruin her. Hell, she was on the verge of doing that now. She’d never felt so heated before. His kiss made her yearn for everything an innocent young lady shouldn’t.
In short…this was a kiss designed for seduction, and it worked. God, did it work…
He pulled back. “We need to stop.” His breathing
