Her face heated. “I don’t think that would be appropriate.”
“Why?” he challenged. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid.”
Araminta clenched her fists at her sides. He was testing her resolve, so to prove how strong she was against his virility she obediently opened her mouth. He smiled wickedly as he set the treat directly on her tongue. Instantly, the sweet sensation flooded her mouth, and combined with the brush of his fingers along her tongue as he withdrew, she wasn’t sure she could even swallow after that.
Thankfully, she managed to do so, if nothing else, than to spare herself the embarrassment that would have ensued if she’d coughed and sputtered.
As it slid down her throat, he leaned close and whispered in her ear, “If you found that delightful, I guarantee that I can do things to you that aremuchmore enjoyable.”
Araminta couldn’t breathe. She suddenly wanted nothing more than to learn exactly what he meant. But she forced herself to blink and put her wayward fantasies back on track. “The painting.” She cleared her throat and attempted to speak more forcefully. “I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s entirely too intimate of a gift for me to accept.”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible, for it’s the perfect complement to the one I have hanging in my bedchamber. It’s entitled, ‘Wanderer above the Sea of Fog.’” He paused. “It is, of course, how I see my future, one very similar to yours. But while you are anticipating the sunrise of a new day, I envision a lonely existence, staring out at the vast abandon.”
“How very poetic, but decidedly untrue,” she countered. “You are an earl. Surely any lady would be overjoyed at the prospect of becoming a countess.”
He plucked another sweetmeat from the tray and popped it into his mouth. “Not every lady,” he corrected.
Araminta wasn’t sure how to respond to that, for it was nothing but the truth. She’d made her sentiments perfectly clear. He had only to accept them, but it was apparent with this conversation that he was still holding out hope she might change her mind.
She stood up straighter and told herself that she could get through this. She could withstand the earl’s magnetic pull. As she glanced about the room, she spied Calliope and Olivia in a chat with a few other women, but as her focus shifted and she spied Isadora in a rather secluded corner with the marquess, irritation sparked. Isa had been the one who had reminded Araminta of her place, to remember the vow that they had made with their younger sisters. And yet, she was cavorting with Osgood in much the same manner as she herself had encouraged Lord Somers’ attentions.
Araminta was surprised that the marquess had immediately shown such a strong interest in—
Abruptly, she turned her head to stare at the earl. “Youdidplan this!” she accused hotly.
He paused, but his expression looked rather sheepish. “I don’t know what you mean,” he hedged.
“Don’t you?” She crossed her arms. “Osgood is here as a distraction for Isadora so you can continue flirting with me. Tell me I’m wrong.”
He hesitated, as if weighing his options and then shrugged. “You’re not wrong.”
While she’d suspected his motives, she didn’t think that he would actually admit to them. “You are shameless! Is the marquess even trustworthy?”
He bristled at that. “I don’t cavort with so many unsavory types as you might think. Osgood is a gentleman above reproach. He’s a war hero and a close confidante to the Duke of Wellington.” Some of her anger deflated as he continued. He moved toward her and lowered his voice so that they weren’t overheard. “But how else was I supposed to convince you that my intentions toward you are sincere other than having some time alone with you to prove my adoration?”
He lifted a finger and trailed it down the side of her neck, causing her to shiver. “I know that if you would just lower your defenses for a short time, you would see that we could have a very harmonious union.”
She ceased to breathe until he stepped back. But then she felt bereft without him. “I’ll be at Hyde Park tonight at midnight if you are interested, waiting in my carriage on Scandal Lane.” He lifted a brow. “I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You woulddareto tarnish my reputation and trap me into marrying you?”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m merely giving you one last chance to trust me. If you don’t appear, then I will know that any further hopes are truly in vain and I will bow away graciously, never to trouble you again. However—” His eyes heated. “If you do come, I will ensure that your efforts are worthwhile.”
With that, he bowed and after one last lingering look at her, he walked away.
“You want to leave now?”Osgood blinked in confusion. “The reading isn’t over.”
“I accomplished what I came for,” Grey returned. “Don’t tell me you’re that intrigued to find out what happens to the Nutcracker?”
The marquess rolled his eyes with a snort. “No. In truth, I was enjoying getting better acquainted with Lady Isadora.”
Grey withheld a shudder as they gathered their outerwear and walked out into the brisk evening air. His breath formed a cloud as they descended the steps and walked toward his carriage. Even a few snowflakes had begun to fall. It looked like the perfect setting for a seduction, if the lady would only agree. “That dragon of a sister? Heaven save me.”
Osgood lifted a brow. “I don’t know what you mean. I found her to be rather agreeable.”
“At least that’s one of us,” Grey muttered as they climbed inside his carriage. As they drove away from the Journton townhouse, his blood hummed with anticipation. He knew he’d piqued Lady Araminta’s interest, even though she had done her best to hide it. But was it enough for her to make the short trek to Hyde Park that night?
Once he’d dropped Osgood off at White’s where he spent the majority of his time, instead of taking him home, Grey instructed his driver to go to the one place he generally avoided, unless it was around the holidays when his mother expected his presence.
