“I’m curious if his memory and your memory match my memory of that night.” My voice sounded raw to my ears. The need for a repeat with the two of them whispered to me. I had to be careful and not let my lust get the upper hand like it had with Gavin. Even thinking about him and his threat of blackmail inflamed my temper.
“I tried to capture every detail, and I think it is paying off in my writing. Some pieces are missing, well, mostly absent because Lady X was distracted by what the dark knight was doing with her—”The flush deepened, and she stared down at her feet. She might be fighting her shyness, but her words were bold and hit their mark with precision. “—um ... I believe I’ll need to revisit that encounter.”
I wasn’t sure if it was wise to give in to my passion for her. We were not married yet, and I promised I wouldn’t take her virginity until she was my wife. I wasn’t a cad and took my vow as a gentleman to heart. “We will have plenty of time for that once we wed.”
“Our wedding date is nine months from now. I was hoping to have my second scene written and sent off long before our wedding.” She looked at me, a frown furrowing her brow before she brightened. It was like someone opened the drapes on a lovely spring day. “Lady X’s scene is irrelevant at this juncture. It is the dark knight and Lord Golden who matter.”
“Lord Golden might have an opinion.” My head said to forget about including Colt again, but my body craved more of his cock. He had said he’d desired me for ages. I didn’t have an inkling until the day we stood outside Lord Tapper’s residence, and I spied the lust in Colt’s eyes. I had dismissed it as a figment of my overactive imagination, but I hadn’t been wrong.
“In my book, Lord Golden kidnaps Lady X and takes her to Gretna Green. The dark knight swoops in and rescues her. They elope to the anvil in Scotland after he defeats Lord Golden.” She offered me a pointed stare, no trace of artifice in her expression. “While other women dreamed of all of society attending their wedding, I always thought eloping would be romantic.”
“Is that a hint or an observation?” I asked.
“It is more like a plea. What say you? Shall we skip the pomp and circumstance and run away together? You have an estate in Scotland. Colt mentioned you were scheduled to tour it next month. It would be the perfect opportunity to wed.”
Her argument had merit, and the more I thought about it, the more appealing it became. I motioned for a waiter with a fresh tray of drinks. It would not come without complications, most especially my mother’s wrath. “You are correct about Scotland. Your family would disown you, however. My mother wouldn’t be pleased, to be sure.”
“My father would be relieved.” She handed her glass to the waiter and accepted a fresh one. The conversation agreed with her because she lost her earlier stiffness and seemed to be enjoying herself. “My four older sisters all had large weddings, and I know it was a burden on him.”
My mind spinning, I shook my head. “It would be very irresponsible of us.”
“It would be very practical.” She removed her hand from my arms and laced her fingers with mine. Entreating eyes held mine, and I found it difficult to look away.
I brought our hands to my mouth for a kiss and cursed the gloves preventing me from touching her silky skin. Every second spent in her company enhanced my growing need to lose myself in her kiss. It was a bonus to our betrothal that I liked her as well as desired her. With Lillian, I didn’t have to watch what I said. “Ithink we should ask Colt for his thoughts. He has never steered me wrong before. What say you?”
“I would welcome his opinion on the matter. He and I have become friends; kindred spirits, if you will. He is kind, and I like his kisses. Does that make me a wanton?” She licked her lips, the liquid sheen of desire darkening her pupils until her irises were slivers of green.
Where it anyone else but Colt, her desire for another man might offend me. Our night had been unforgettable and surpassed anything I had experienced to date. I wasn’t sure if it was the novelty of two lovers or the nature of our relationship.
Either way, I wouldn’t turn down a repeat.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lady Lillian Tapper
“I knew I would find you lurking somewhere, Kendrick.” Lady Helen, Duchess of Alton, wagged her finger at us, but the smile she wore softened the gesture.
A roguish grin curved his generous mouth, and he rocked back on his heels. Dressed to perfection in severe black with a pearl waistcoat, he cut an impressive figure. “Lurking? You make me sound like some kind of thief.”
I turned to my future husband. “I daresay you have stolen more than a few hearts.”Including my own.I kept that part to myself. To admit to a deep affection for him wouldn’t be wise. It was best to leave her assuming that we were a love match.
Questionable looks followed us. I was certain there was great speculation on what the Duke of Alton saw in the plain Lady Lillian Tapper.
Lady Helen lifted onto her toes and kissed his cheek. She clasped my hand and held it between her own. Earnest eyes met mine. “Those days are over. He found his duchess.”
