But she should have sealed the bargain. His “Come along, then” was not a promise by any means, which she found out not long after they entered the large conservatory.
“This is really lovely,” Roslynn said uneasily as his arm slipped around her waist and he began to guide her along the plant-strewn walkway that circled the room.
“I couldn’t agree more,” he replied, only he was looking at her.
She kept her eyes averted, gazing intently at the statues along the walk, at the myriad flowers in full bloom, at the fountain that was on a lower level in the center of the room. Foremost in her mind was that hand resting on her hip, burning through the thin material of her high-waisted gown.
“I—I really should take you to task, Sir Anthony.” Her voice was thin, shaky, and she had to clear her throat before continuing with more force. “That was devilish unfair of you to leave me no choice back there.”
“I know.”
“Was it necessary to be so high-handed?”
He stopped, turning her toward him, his eyes moving slowly over her face as he considered her question. In alarm, Roslynn realized that he had maneuvered them to the far side of the room, that thick branches from one of the trees growing below spread out at their level and effectively concealed them from the doorway. In actuality, they were quite alone for the moment, the sound of the party drowned out by the flow of the fountain.
“Yes, it was necessary,” he finally answered huskily. “When all I’ve been able to think about since I first laid eyes on you is this.”
To save her soul, Roslynn couldn’t find the will to protest as his arm drew her closer. His other hand slid along her neck, the thumb tilting her chin up, and for the breath of a moment her eyes locked with his. Then she felt his lips, warm, beguiling, pressing ever so gently on her own, and her lids closed, accepting the inevitable. She had had to know, and now she did. And for the moment, nothing mattered but the taste of him, the feel of him pressed along her length.
Anthony didn’t frighten her with his passion but kept it tightly leashed, even though he felt like an inferno about to explode. He couldn’t remember when he had wanted something this much, and he took every care not to overwhelm her with what he was feeling, to fan her desire by slow degrees until she wanted him with equal intensity.
It was the hardest thing he had ever done, restraining himself when his body cried out to take her here and now. And in fact he was not as self-controlled as he supposed. Nearly mindless with wanting, he was unaware of the little things he was doing to her, that his fingers had slid into her hair, dislodging pins fromher coiffure, that his knee had slipped between her own, far enough that she was practically straddling his thigh. But fortunately for him, she was as mindless as he was at this point. He just didn’t know it.
Actually, that thigh rubbing against her groin was Roslynn’s undoing, coupled as it was with his deepening kisses. He had gradually brought his tongue into play, teaching her the exquisite sensations it could invoke, using it to open her mouth, to taste the sweetness within. He eventually enticed her tongue to explore as well, and once it hesitantly passed between his lips, he wouldn’t let it go, gently sucking it deeper and deeper into his mouth.
Helpless under his expertise, Roslynn was quite thoroughly seduced, ready and willing to let him do anything he wanted. When Anthony finally became aware of that fact, he groaned in frustration, for he had unwisely chosen his setting, never dreaming that he would be this successful this quickly.
Trailing his lips to her ear, he beseeched her, “Go to your room, sweetheart. I’ll follow you there.”
She was dazed, hypnotically so, unable to connect one thought with another. “My room?”
He had the urge to shake her. Now was not the time for confusion, for God’s sake! He gripped her shoulders instead.
“Look at me, Roslynn,” he said urgently. “We can’t stay here. Do you understand? There’s no privacy here.”
She frowned up at him. “What would we be needing privacy for?”
Hell and fire! Was Regina right? Could Roslynn really be that innocent at her age? He found himself torn between chagrin and pleasure at the thought. If it were true, he risked losing what ground he hadgained by bringing her back to her senses. And yet a tender cord was struck, heretofore dormant, wishing it were true.
Anthony sighed, dredging up a degree of patience to reach her. “We’re going to make love, you and I. That is the natural conclusion to what we’ve been doing. And since we both want to, the thing to do is find someplace we won’t be disturbed. You’ll agree your room is the logical place.”
Roslynn was shaking her head before he had finished. “Och, mon, what have you done? There was to be no kissing—I told you so.”
Her lilting brogue served to stir him even more, and he pulled her tightly back against his chest. “It’s too late to prevaricate, sweetheart, after you’ve surrendered in every way but one. Now be a good girl and do as I say, or I’ll take you right here, I swear I will, and the devil take anyone who happens upon us.”
If he meant to frighten her into complying, it didn’t work. She almost laughed at his effort but didn’t think he would appreciate that in this present mood that could make him say such a thing. Common sense told her he wouldn’t do anything to cause his niece embarrassment. She should have realized that sooner, before she came in here with him.
“You canna use that bluff on me twice, laddie.”
At this moment, Anthony wasn’t sure it had been a bluff. But that she was boldly calling it restored his reason, even if it didn’t completely cool his ardor. He had made a mess of the situation, and if she wasn’t angry, she had every right to be.
His smile came with devastating effect. It was his melting smile. “If now just won’t do, then I’ll come to your room later tonight.”
She pushed away from him, shaking her head. “You’ll no’ get past the door, I promise you that.”
“Leave it unlocked.”
“I’ll no’ do that either.”
