“Spend,” said Lydia.
“Thrift,” added Kitty, smiling at Mr. Cooper.
“Maggie.” He blinked, then roared with laughter.
Lydia smacked his knee. “Impertinent boy!”
They began again, and the evening flew by. Besides the word game, Lydia had shared some stories of when Genie was a girl. Genie shared that the stablemaster at the local mews was sweet on Lydia. Mr. Cooper announced Nora had been cast in two Charles Macready performances at the Theatre Royal in June.
“Is it a major role?” asked Kitty, taking in the fact that his sister would be acting with the renowned Macready.
He shook his head. “No, but she’s hoping by being in the production, she’ll be noticed and considered for bigger parts.”
“She’s quite talented,” said Lydia. “Voice of an angel.”
“She can play almost any instrument,” added Genie.
“Quite the paragon,” murmured Kitty, already intimidated by the woman before even meeting her.
Mr. Cooper turned to her. “Would you like to see one of the plays?”
Her hand flew to her chest. “I’d love to. I’ve only seen the outdoor productions at Vauxhall when Mama was still alive. She would insist Pa take us once I was old enough.”
“Hopefully, this situation will be resolved. Our family usually reserves a box when Nora performs, so it would be a family affair.” He watched her, and she realized he was waiting to see her reaction.
She smiled. “That would be lovely. I look forward to meeting the rest of your family. Especially if they are anything like the members I’m already acquainted with.”
When he made his farewells, Kitty rose to accompany him to the door.
“Why don’t you see Benjamin down the stairs, dear,” Lydia said to Kitty.
“Of course,” she said, her heart soaring at the thought of a kiss to end a wonderful evening.
At the bottom of the stairs, she heard a click as someone shut the door above them. They were alone. Mr. Cooper turned to face her, holding his hat. He placed it on his head, freeing both hands to grip her waist and pull her closer.
“If I don’t kiss you in the next minute, I will die,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
“We can’t allow that,” she said, tipping her face up. “I?—”
His mouth claimed hers, stopping any further words or thoughts. It was only taste and touch. She breathed in his Bay Rum cologne, the spicy scent tickling her senses. His hands gripping her hips, sending an aching pulse low in her core as his hard body pressed against her.
She slipped her fingers around his neck, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, hold her, make her weak in the knees. When his tongue glided along the seam of her mouth, she parted her lips. When he entered her, she gasped against him, and soon he was holding her up, running a hand along her back.
When the kiss ended, her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath and slow her thumping heart. They locked eyes, and the tenderness in those tawny orbs almost undid her. The thought flickered through her mind how easily an inexperienced girl could be seduced. Kitty would toss caution to the wind at this moment.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice raw as he leaned his forehead against hers.
“For what?” She couldn’t focus on words, her mind swirling with happiness and… passion? What was this tumultuous feeling flooding her body, her heart?
“For the kiss, for being you, for allowing me to?—”
This time, it was Kitty who cut off the conversation with a kiss. Her arms went around his neck, knocking off his hat. His reaction was swift, turning her against the wall, his fingers running up her arms, down her waist. He let out a groan.
“If I don’t leave now, we may both regret it,” he rasped against her cheek.
“Never, Mr. Cooper.” Feeling brave by his reaction, she tucked a finger in his cravat and pulled, placing her lips on his neck, just below his chin. His shiver had desire and power crashing within her chest.
“I believe Ben would be more appropriate at this time,” he murmured, placing a kiss on each eye, then her nose, and finally, finally her mouth again.
