She felt a rush of gratitude for his exquisite manners. He was going to make this easy for her. Viscount Portland was, first and foremost, a gentleman.
"You are very kind, my lord," she said. "I confess this conversation is rather difficult for me. Please believe me when I say I have thought through the matter with care."
"I know you have, my dear. You have brought it up before."
"I have?" She frowned.
"Perhaps it is not gentlemanly of me to remind you," he said indulgently, "but yes, you did. Once before, during our stroll down Rotten Row."
What in blazes is he talking about?
"Clearly the matter is of import to you. And while I cannot say I approve, I feel I can satisfy you this once. With the understanding that this is all just a bit of fun, eh?" he said lightly.
Her head was spinning. "You have lost me."
"The time for coyness has passed." All of the sudden, Portland was leaning over her, blocking the garden from her view. "See the mountains kiss the high heaven. And the moonbeams kiss the sea?You naughty little minx, I'll show you whatall these kissings are worth."
She froze at the rendition of Shelley's impassioned verse. Before she could react, Portland's arms closed around her. His mouth pressed against hers—wet,disgusting. Regaining her senses, she shoved at him with both hands. With a surprised grunt, he lost his balance, his arms twin windmills as he fell backward and landed with an ungracefulthudupon his posterior.
Percy leapt to her feet, wiping her lips with the back of her glove.
"What the devil did you do that for?" Portland glared at her as he picked himself up from the stone floor. He inspected his jacket, and his expression darkened at the sight of a tiny tear on the sleeve. "This is a new Weston, by God."
Guilt and horror mingled in her. "I am so sorry," she said helplessly. "I didn't know what else to do."
"Todo, you little baggage? You have been hounding me for weeks for a kiss. You might have sat there and received it properly like a lady."
That stopped her short. "I wouldn't quite sayhound, my lord. I expressed curiosity about it. One time."
"You are nothing but a tease, Miss Fines," he fumed. "A common, ill-bred trollop."
Percy's cheeks flamed. She supposed she deserved the insult, if only for her stupidity in believing herself in love with this fop.
"I ought to have heeded Mama. In the end, breeding and class always shows itself," he continued in snide tones.
Her guilt dissipated.The snob."That is unkind and unfair, sir."
Portland took a deep breath. Seemed to gather himself. "I must return to the ballroom," he said stiffly, "before my absence is remarked upon."
"We are not quite done, my lord," she said grimly.
His perfect brows shot up. "Never say you want another kiss."
"I never wanted a kiss in the first place." The words emerged through her teeth. To her credit, she managed to filter back the last two words:you ass. "What I wanted to say was that I don't think we ought to be spending any more time in each other's company."
"You don't think..." His jaw quite literally dropped. Why hadn't she noticed how weak his chin was before? "Youare jiltingme?"
"Well, not exactly." She had not realized a person could look apoplectic in the moonlight. Yet above the pristine cascade of his cravat, the viscount's face had turned an unmistakable shade of crimson. She said in more cautious tones, "I'd sayjiltwas too strong a word. I mean, there was never an understanding between us, was there?"
"You have been casting your wiles at me thisentireSeason, you little Jezebel!"
Her eyes narrowed. "Hold up, my lord. While I may have encouraged you, you have never been clear in your affections to me. You have surrounded yourself with debutantes these months past, and if you had chosen one of them, I would not have a word to say about it."
"Is that what this is about? You are jealous?"
His obtuseness robbed her of speech. What had she ever seen in the arrogant prig?
"One cannot blame you, of course," he said with a condescending smile. "Coming from trade, your options are rather limited. If it consoles you, I did have you on my list of bridal candidates—but near the bottom, I'm afraid. There are many eligible ladies this year, and a man in my position must choose wisely. I hope you understand."
