He came around in front of her, and leaned more deeply into their kiss. Fleetingly Alexandra wondered if he’d locked the door, because if his body was reacting anything like hers, they weren’t going anywhere for a while.
“Lucien, you wonderful boy!”
“Damn,” he hissed, yanking her chair upright, and dropped into the seat beside her just as the door opened and Mrs. Delacroix swept into the room, Rose on her heels. “Beg pardon, Aunt?”
Alexandra was hard-pressed not to stare at him. He sounded so cool and collected that she couldn’t believe he’d been involved with her less than a heartbeat ago. She took a swallow of coffee, wishing it were something stronger.
“I said you were wonderful!” Fiona repeated. “Why didn’t you tell us last night? You might have saved me a great deal of anxiety!”
“I had a few arrangements to make first. Miss Gallant and I were just discussing one of them.”
Alexandra couldn’t resist a glance in his direction, and abruptly realized why he’d seated himself at the ladies’ arrival. She stifled a very inappropriate chuckle. Obviously he hadn’t been unmoved by their kiss, after all. “Yes, we were,” she seconded brightly. If Aunt Fiona only knew. “Might I relay the news, my lord?”
“Of course.”
“Well, Miss Delacroix, it seems you will be able to waltz at your birthday party.”
Rose’s eyes widened. “What?”
Alexandra nodded. “Your cousin has arranged for you to be presented to Prince George this afternoon. With the Almack’s assembly tonight and thereby your permission to waltz nearly assured, you—”
Rose squealed and dashed around the table to hug Lucien. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!”
He had the good grace to look uncomfortable. “Just following your governess’s recommendations,” he muttered.
“Thank you, too, Lex!”
“Oh, my!” Fiona exclaimed, sinking into a chair. “What does one wear to meet Prince George?”
“Something very conservative,” Lucien said, before Alexandra could. “He detests idle chatter, too, so unless you wish Rose to be banished from society, you will refrain from talking, Aunt. Is that clear?”
Alexandra waited for the explosion, but Fiona only lifted a painted eyebrow. “Of course. Come, Rose, we must start dressing you at once. Thank goodness I had the foresight to have Madame Charbonne make a presentation gown for you!”
“Yes, Mama.” At the doorway, though, Rose stopped, a dismayed look crossing her pretty features. “But what about Lord Belton? I already said I would accompany him for luncheon. He’ll be so disappointed.”
Realizing she’d best make her escape as well, before she lost the chance or the desire to do so, Alexandra stood. “Lord Kilcairn has already informed him. They will reschedule at the first opportunity.”
“Miss Gallant,” Lucien said, making a surreptitious grab for the trailing edge of her skirt, “we still have something to discuss.”
She flicked the muslin out of his reach, feeling giddier than she ever had as a schoolgirl. “I believe your cousin and I should review court etiquette again before her presentation, my lord.”
He shoved the chair beside him backward, trapping her. In a second he had the edge of her gown twined in his long fingers. “After we finish our discussion,” he stated, his gaze daring her to make another attempt to flee.
Seemly or not, she already felt warm with excitement and anticipation. “Miss Delacroix, I believe your mother is correct,” she said, turning to her pupil. “Your lessons will be more effective once you are in the proper attire.”
Rose nodded and pranced out the door with her mother. “Oh, I can hardly contain myself,” she giggled, as they vanished back down the hallway.
“Neither can I,” Lucien said dryly, hauling on Alexandra’s skirt to bring her in closer.
She leaned away from him. “The door is open, my lord,” she murmured through clenched teeth. She might be insane, but she wasn’t stupid.
From his expression he didn’t care if they were in the middle of Pall Mall. Lucien stood, moving his grip from her skirt to her hand. “Let’s close it, then.”
“This is decidedly unwise, my l—”
Pulling her around the table with him, he slammed the door, locked it, backed her up against it, and captured her lips in a rough, openmouthed kiss that left her no doubt of his intentions.
Last night he’d been gentle and cautious in his seduction; this morning he had no concerns over her virginity or her desire. Alexandra gasped as he lifted her in his arms and set her down on the edge of the table.
