Every nerve jumped. “On a library table?”
Too late, she knew he would find that no impediment—and neither did she. She’d never even imagined such a thing but now she did. She saw it, felt it, wanted it. Sharp aches rippled up her thighs.
Impossible!
She pushed again, turning her head away from his teasing lips, but that exposed her throat and he bit it. Lightly, but she felt his teeth, thought of wolves, and swayed back, suddenly boneless with desire.
He lifted her to the table. Her heart gave a great thump of warning, but she didn’t stop him, couldn’t stop herself, not even when he pressed between her thighs, her two thick petticoats seeming no protection at all.
The rippling aches were piercing her there, demandingsatisfaction. She heard herself moan, but she only deepened the kiss, driven by a frantic hunger she knew was insane.
She felt his strong hand on her naked thigh, spreading it wider, was aware of his other strong arm supporting her swaying body. She rolled her head back, opening her mouth to gasp in air, and her eyes in search of sanity—and saw the stern disapproving faces of the sages on high.
A different kind of jolt shot through her. What was shedoing?
She pushed at his shoulders, trying to close her legs. “No! For pity’s sake, anyone could come in here!”
Their eyes locked and the expression in his froze her passion. He was flushed, dazed, dark eyes darker still, but beneath he was watchful. Was this what a rake was like? Clever, calculating, doing and saying all the right things to get what he wanted?
“No,” she said again, chills shaking her. “Release me, my lord.”
After a moment he eased back, rearranging her skirts and then flowing into a bow with a skill no honest man would possess. She shivered as she slid off the table, refusing to fuss with her clothes. “We agreed we wouldn’t do this.”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Then you should! Anyone could have discovered us. If not a guest, sooner or later a servant must come to build up the fire. Why risk having to marry me, my lord, when it must be the last thing you wish?”
She heard her voice rise to a shout, and covered her mouth with her hand.
“Hardly the last,” he said, infuriatingly unmoved. “I’d certainly marry you rather than hang. And isn’t ashouldas good as amust?”
She tried to push past him. “This is not a game!”
He blocked her way, gripping her arms. “Are you claiming not to have wanted that? Saying you don’t want more even now?”
Lying would demean her. Eyes fixed on the door,she said, “No. But I won’t be trapped by this, Ashart. You’d make the devil of a husband.”
Did he flinch, or was it just anger?
“I’m sure you’re right.” He let her go, then took a guinea out of his pocket and held it out.
It was their bargain. There was no reason to feel outrage, but it took every scrap of will not to slap it away, or slap him. Instead, Genova took the coin and slipped it into her pocket. “On Charlie’s behalf, I thank you, my lord.”
“It will buy him a sucket or two.” Then he held out his hand in formal style. “Come, Miss Smith. I believe I heard the dinner gong.”
Had she been as deaf to the world as that? She wanted to sweep out and ignore him. She wanted to run to her room and hide. Neither would serve in the long run. Better by far to convince him that he had no deep effect on her.
She put her hand in his, blocking the power of his touch, and let him lead her from the room.
Chapter Twenty-four
Ashart led Genova Smith downstairs, gathering control or he’d be in no state to deal with Rothgar.
He’d woken early in the grand bedchamber that had been found for him despite his unexpected arrival, and he’d suddenly needed to escape. He’d found the stables and his horse, and ridden fast around the frostily beautiful estate.
Every elegant curve of land, every classical delight, felt like a taunt.See what I can afford, they said,and you cannot.
Devil take his grandmother for pouring money into ways to attack the Mallorens. No, devil take him for allowing it. For the past five years, at least, he could have been in command of his own affairs. He hadn’t insisted on that, or resisted her urging to be more and more glorious at court.
