Collin placed a finger on her lips, stilling her words.
“Exactly,” he answered. “You are by far the most fascinating, intelligent, witty, and provoking womanI’ve ever met. And as it turns out, I rather adore that about you. So, the question is if you can appreciate my dynamic character traits as well.” Slowly, he removed his finger from her lip, caressing the line of her chin as he pulled his hand away, waiting.
His heart pounded as the moment of silence seemed to drag on forever.
“Yes,” she answered, her brows puckering as she said the word. “I’d be honored, Lord Penderdale.”
“Collin,” he corrected gently.
“Collin,” she repeated, her face blooming with color. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll allow you to have your way, or that I’ll hold my tongue when you vex me,” she added, tilting her head to the side and offering a smile.
Always challenging, Collin mused, and he rather appreciated it, usually. “I’d never expect anything less, as long as you know full well I’ll be the same vexing man you provoke constantly.”
Elizabeth’s answering smile was brilliant, piercing him to his soul with light and warmth. He couldn’t pull his attention away, merely basked in it, knowing the smile was for him alone.
And he rather liked that truth, liked it very much.
“Thank you.” Collin reached out, lifted her hand, and kissed it, his eye on her becoming expressive as he did so.
Elizabeth glanced down as he released her hand, biting her lip.
Collin’s thoughts surged ahead at the innocently tempting expression, and he wondered if she tasted of the honey she collected, or if it was her hair or skin that smelled of lemons and beeswax. Her lips would be soft, inviting, and before he tried anything untoward, he stood.
“In a herculean effort to be a gentleman, I’ll take my leave now, Miss Essex.” He bowed.
Elizabeth grinned, then stood as well. “I wasn’t aware I presented that much of a temptation, Lord Penderdale.”
“You have no idea, which is decidedly part of your charm. You don’t use it as a weapon, but that doesn’t make it any less lethal, Miss Essex.”
“You’re using my proper name. Perhaps you did hit your head too hard. I do remember you promising to use my Christian name as often as possible,” she challenged.
Collin took a small step forward, leaving only a small distance between them. The air was charged, like the weather just before a lightning storm, and he met her eyes. Her breath came in a short gasp before her attention landed on his lips, then flicked to his eyes. It would be so easy, so natural to close the distance and taste her, to savor the soft delight of her lips, but he resisted, merely enjoyed the delicious temptation of it, the anticipation of a later time when it wouldn’t be stealing a kiss, but lingering in one.
“Elizabeth,” he whispered, leaning forward and gently inhaling the scent of lemons.
She gasped softly, and he noted the way her body swayed faintly toward him, as if being pulled by the same energy that surrounded him.
“Elizabeth.” He whispered her name again as he leaned back just enough to see her face fully, watching with rapt attention as her lips parted.
“Someday I won’t have to resist the temptation to sample every inch of you, but until then, remember this…” He lifted her hand once more, tracing her lean fingers with his touch. “The sparks that fly when we fight…are only the beginning. We, my dear, will someday burn everything down around us, and I, for one, cannot wait.” He kissed her hand and stepped back.
Elizabeth released a breath, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Lord Penderdale.” Elizabeth’s father appeared from the hallway, nodding to Collin as he entered the room.
“Professor Essex. I was just taking my leave.” Collin cast a smile toward Elizabeth, enjoying the way she still hadn’t fully recovered from their close conversation.
Elizabeth blinked and then narrowed her eyes, as if seeing the interaction as a gauntlet thrown. Collin returned the expression with a small quirk of the brow.
“Please use caution tonight and take this tin. You’ll likely need more of it in the morning.” Professor Essex handed the tin of salve over to Collin.
“Thank you for all your kind assistance,” Collin returned.
“Of course.” The professor turned, then regarded his daughter, likely trying to discern what her answer had been.
“Until later, Lord Penderdale.” Elizabeth gave a proper goodbye, but her eyes were twinkling with amusement, as if she were already ready for whatever came tomorrow.
Collin was certain of one thing: courting Elizabeth would never be boring. “May I call on you tomorrow?” he asked.
