He grinned. “Done.”
Natalie blinked. “You have not heard what I want.”
“I do not believe in impossibilities. I am sure they are daring activities, judging by your trip to my home to kiss me, and swimming in the Serpentine.”
A thrill of excitement and anticipation rushed through Natalie at her victory. “In fact, I have just accomplished one thing tonight.” She only just realized it.
“What is that?” He cocked a brow.
“Sneak away with a gentleman at a ball.”
Amusement curved his mouth. “Oh? Is that all sneaking away with a gentleman is to you?”
“What more can it be?” She knew the answer, but she wanted to tease him. The gleam in his eyes gave her confidence she struggled to draw out at any other time.
“Let me show you.” He took a step toward her, and Natalie’s body was set aflame by his closeness. Placing a finger beneath her chin, he whispered, “May I?”
At her nod, he kissed her softly, his arms circling her waist and pressing her into him. His musky scent filled her senses, and passion engulfed the rest of her. Natalie raked her fingers through his raven hair as he moved them further behind the hedge.
His body was hard and warm, such that she did not feel the bite of the air. Their kiss grew in intensity, and his hand squeezed her posterior, melting her core and arousing her in the deepest way she had ever felt. She moaned his name, and it encouraged him.
Kissing a trail down her neck, he pulled down the neckline of her blue velvet dress and kissed the swells of her breasts, gliding his tongue sweetly across her skin. She grasped his shoulders to keep upright. Suddenly she felt his mouth around her nipple, and she bit her lip to contain a cry of delight. She did not know how he freed her from her dress, and she did not care. All that mattered at that instant was how he suckled her, and the fiery ripples of pleasure that ran through her body.
Jasper moved to lavish the same attention to her other breast while he hiked her skirts up, slipping his hand underneath and stroking her thighs, and tantalizing her by not touching her where she ached the most.
Laughter in the distance pulled them apart, and Natalie realized with wide eyes that this was not the place for this. There was no one in sight, but she could not continue this no matter how she wanted to. She quickly pulled her dress up, discovering that some of the buttons at the back had been unfastened.
Jasper helped her fasten them, his hands heating her all over again as they brushed her skin. “What is your next wish?” he whispered in her ear.
“Gamble in a gentleman’s club,” she replied. He turned her around, and his surprise was visible.
“We shall do it. I will inform you of the time soon.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, and she almost melted in his arms again.
To keep herself from doing that, she turned and gathered her skirt, hurrying away from him. Thankfully, there was no one around the hedges when she left, and she made her way back to the ballroom.
Hannah found her. “Where were you? I have been looking all over the ballroom.”
“I was on the terrace seeking…fresh air,” she replied, just as she saw Jasper walk into the ballroom. Their eyes met and held, and Natalie saw the promise of adventure in their depths.
Chapter 10
Before we speak of the usual subject, we would like to bring to everyone’s attention that the reclusive Duke of Amsthorne danced with Lady Natalie Reeves at Lady Barton’s ball. Could an unexpected courtship be on the horizon? The Masked Rogue was not seen at all last night, and we would conjecture he was at the ball, too.
The following afternoon, Natalie gathered the dress she finished sewing that morning and left the house. Hannah was out riding with Wessberg, which was splendid, while Natalie found herself with ample time.
She rode to Mary’s shop, and she was fortunate to find her alone. She gave her the dress, and Mary paid her for it. “I would never have become popular without you, Natalie.”
“We help each other, Mary. I am fortunate that you can help me sell my dresses.” Mary sewed beautifully but Natalie’s dresses were better, and that helped her gain theton’spatronage.
They were the same age, and Natalie sometimes found herself envious of Mary’s uncomplicated life. She could trade and find independence through it, but Natalie could not. Society tied her worth to a man, and she was unwanted.
Alexandra appeared suddenly, and when she saw Natalie, her expression darkened. Mary rose to attend to her. “I see you are friends with the modiste,” she giggled beneath a hand. “Why does that not surprise me.”
“What do you hope to accomplish by saying that?” Natalie asked.
“Oh, nothing. It is simply unfortunate that you must grasp to get what you want. I heard you had tea with Lady Phoebe.” Alexandra smiled viciously. “Are you friends now? Are you perhaps hopeful that your unmarried state would be something to bond you with her?”
“You will watch your words,” Natalie warned. “I thought Lady Phoebe was your friend, too.”
