She knew she had to say something, but instead, she stared at him helplessly, so many feelings writhing inside—she was unable to separate them into any semblance of clarity.
He swung her, and she twirled, and the heat of his hands on her lower back burned through her gown. The rest of society faded as they stared into each other’s gazes, never once breaking.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he spoke softly as he steered them through the crowded floor.
She was quiet. “I don’t know.”
“Are you worried about the marriage?” he asked. “What I’ll ask of you?”
“Partially,” she admitted. “I’m not really afraid of what your uncle will say when we separate, if and how we’ll find my brother, and what I’ll do after all this is done…” She shook her head, trailing off. “I’m rather afraid of myself, to be honest.”
William glanced down; confusion raw in his gaze. He twirled her expertly, steered them around another couple, and then pulled her close again. “Of yourself? Why?”
“You have an extraordinary talent to muddle my thoughts when I am near you,” she confessed breathily.
“Are you saying that my seduction is working?” he grinned like a wolf.
“No,” she lied. “I have not turned into a ninny with nothing but cotton and lace between her ears, I just find myself double-guessing my actions with you.”
He twirled her again. “Do you want a confession of my own?” He drew in a little closer and lowered his voice to a breath, “I have never wanted a woman as badly as I want you.”
Was it fair of him to tell her this?
“Really?”
“Real enough to keep me awake, several nights in a row. Real enough to cause me to think of nothing but you, even when other women are readily available. Real enough to be… painful at times,” William admitted.
Searching his eyes for a moment, Bridget frowned. “You speak the truth.”
“I don’t make it a habit to lie,” he replied, as the music swelled.
“Meaning you would twist the truth if need be,” she remarked as he took them in a swirl of turns that spun the dresses on the sideline into a swirl of colors. When they finally stopped, her skirts flared and brushed William’s trousers. Her lashes swept up. “You still have not detailed what the… erm…marriage duties…you would like from me to be.”
“We can talk about those in the carriage,” William smiled, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. He thumbed over her knuckles. “I’ll need to find a ring too.”
“They are staring again,” she whispered.
He slid his fingers between hers and pulled her off the dance floor and up the stairs. Crossing the foyer, he drew her into his side, then got her coat from a footman while his carriage came around.
The carriage rumbled to a halt in front of the majestic house, and he helped her inside. The moment the door closed, he tugged his jacket free and dropped it to the side bench.
Without indication or warning, he hauled her into his lap. “May I finally kiss you the way I want?”
“I—” She paused. “I suppose.”
She tensed, but his lips were gentle and brushed over hers first, a ghost of butterfly wings, time and again, coaxing a response. His mouth found hers, his lips soft.
Bravely, Bridget nipped his bottom lip and suckled over it, as his arm surrounded hers and cupped her nape, bringing her even closer. His tongue ran over the seam of her mouth and when herlips parted, he took the invitation to sweep his tongue against hers.
At first contact, she pulled her tongue away, but soon enough, she rubbed hers alongside his in gentle, slow strokes.Tenderanderotic, the kiss allowed her natural sensuality time to overcome her shyness.
He drew away to let her breathe, then, like an injured animal, he groaned softly and dove back in, hungrily devouring her mouth. Bridget melted into his arms, entranced by the wicked sensations pouring through her body.
Parting from her lips, he dropped kisses along her jaw, then pressed his lips to the hollow below her ear lobe, and she shivered with sudden, fierce delight.
“God, that felt good,” he sighed. “As for your duties, it is both complicated and simple at the same time. You will have control of the house, but please, no renovations for the few rooms that are in use. Until I gain the inheritance my uncle is holding onto, things like a new wardrobe and jewels are out of the question.
“My small staff consists of my valet who takes on the butler role from time to time, a crotchety cook named Mrs. Crickstaff, two maids, and two footmen. I have two friends who have the worst habit of dropping in unannounced so do not be afraid if they come along.”
