She didn’t respond. She was quite fine with him thinking that the only thing she wanted from him was to be a Duchess.
“I must say though,” Gideon continued, drawing nearer still. “It does hurt me to think that you doubt the authenticity of my heart. Can't you feel the burning desire I hold for you?”
“Your Grace…”
“My heart only beats for you, Amelia.” He caught her wrist and placed her palm against his chest. To his credit, his heart seemed to be thundering as fast as hers. “Can’t you feel it?”
Amelia curled her hand into a fist, pulling it out of his grasp. Now that he was so close, she couldn’t hold out against the urge to cover herself. “Is there a reason you came here?” she questioned as she wrapped her arms across her chest.
Gideon smirked. Before she could react, he caught both wrists this time, drawing her flush against him. She collided into the firm wall of his chest and froze. His fingers danced teasingly down her waist, and another hand gently lifted her chin, compelling her to meet his eyes.
The restraint she'd maintained seemed to evaporate, replaced by an undeniable yearning as she found herself being drawn to the promise of his lips. In the charged silence, she could feelhim examining her reactions, the rise and fall of her chest, the parting of her lips, the unmistakable flame in her eyes.
“Why do you shy away?” he whispered to her. “You are beautiful.”
Amelia couldn’t find her voice. Whatever strength she’d had just then fizzled away. It took all her sanity not to lean into him, slow heat curling within her core.
“Doesn’t this remind you of when we first met?” His voice was a seductive melody. “I still think about it. How you felt in my arms, the intoxicating scent, the hushed whispers. Do those moments plague your thoughts as they do mine?”
His hand daringly traced down to the curve of her rear and Amelia shuddered. The truth rushed to her lips. “I do. All the time.”
His fingers slipped from her chin to snake around the side of her throat, resting at the nape of her neck. The tantalizing nearness of his lips promised a searing kiss. And Amelia found herself waiting, breathlessly.
She couldn’t remember any of the apprehension or distrust she felt before. Now, there was nothing but longing, constantly lying at the base of every interaction with him. Touching her like this, her bosom pressed against his firm chest, made it hard for her to think clearly. All she wanted was to taste his lips again, desperate to satiate the need that mounted in her with everypassing second. It didn’t matter that he was the Rogue that ruined her life. Not right at this moment, at least.
With a breathy sigh, Amelia tipped her head back for their lips to meet. Gideon’s hand drifted from her neck, down her arms, catching her wrist. Then, he stepped back and pressed something into the palm of her hand.
Amelia’s eyes fluttered open, a little bemused. He wore a knowing smile. “I came to deliver this to you,” he told her. Then he winked, spun, and sauntered away.
A heavy mixture of desire and mortification swelled within Amelia. She stared after him in utter disbelief. And once he was gone, shame washed over her.
Amelia released a breath, glancing down at the letter in her hand. The sight of the seal made her forget some of her overwhelming embarrassment for a moment. It was from Dorothy.
With slightly trembling hands, she broke the seal and quickly skimmed the letter, feeling sudden relief.
My Sweet Amelia,
I sit here and find myself writing to you once more, unable to wait for your reply to my last letter! I hope you’ll forgive my impatience.
Life has been a whirlwind, and I long to hear your plans. Will Brighton still have the pleasure of your company next month? The thought of your eventual visit is all that brings light to my days.
Please, take all the time you need to respond, sister. I do not wish to be a burden to you. Do not forget, your happiness is my greatest concern!
With all my love,
Dorothy
Dorothy was fine. She had no reason to worry right now. Still a little dazed, Amelia reclaimed her chair by the writing desk and picked up the quill pen to write.
Yet as she dipped it into the inkwell, she found her thoughts veering back to that moment with Gideon. The memory of their almost-kiss and her own vulnerability made her cheeks burn, and the pen wobbled, spilling ink across the parchment.
It didn’t take her long to realize that she would not be able to concentrate on anything else but how she’d made herself look a desperate fool in front of Gideon.
CHAPTER 10
Sleeping in the grandeur of one of Castle Stanhope's vast bedchambers proved a far more uncomfortable task than Amelia had thought.
She didn’t dare to leave her chambers after her embarrassing encounter with Gideon and had spent the rest of the day burdened by how desperate she had made herself seem. Those shameful memories followed her into her sleep, making for a restless night full of tosses and turns. All she could see were deep gold eyes. All she could hear was his husky voice asking her if she thought of him as often as he did. Again and again, until the morning sun arose.
