“I am the Countess of Monmouth,” she said, “and I will not stay to listen to your… your lies a moment more.”
He pulled her closer. “But they are not lies, are they, Countess?”
The feel of her body touching his was Patrick’s undoing. The first touch of her lips, and he knew it had been a mistake to kiss her. Emotions warred for domination inside him as the headyfeel of her in his arms made his body tighten. One hand cupped her head; the other slid up her back to hold her closer still.
“Open your mouth for me,” Patrick rasped and was rewarded seconds later.
He told himself to be gentle, and yet he’d lost all reason when he touched her. Her hands clutched the lapels of his jacket as she took what he gave. The high-pitched sound of laughter had him pulling back, his arms dropping to his side as they stared at each other, both breathless. His eyes ran over her face, taking in the dazed look and kiss-swollen lips. He wanted this woman, and he would have her.
“We will be discreet.” He spoke the words against her lips. “And when this is done, we will walk away from each other.”
“No!” She reared back. “No.” This word came out softer. “That can never happen, Lord Coulter. This, what we did, was wrong.” She skirted around him and started for the door.
“Why deny what we both want?” Patrick followed her. “You are no innocent, so why not give in to this madness that lies between us?”
“I am going back to Monmouth soon?—”
His laugh held no humor. “I don’t want to wed you, Countess. I want to bed you.”
He knew instantly by the look on her face that he’d shocked her with his vulgar words. This was what she did to him. When she was near, he was no longer a gentleman.
She turned from him silently and walked back inside the ballroom. Patrick stayed where he was, wondering what the hell he was supposed to do now.
CHAPTER 11
“God’s blood, you’re a fool!”
“My lord?”
“Nothing further, Fletcher, thank you.” Patrick waved his butler away, his eyes still on the note in his hand.
He’d sent word to the countess last night that he wanted to take her driving today. They needed to talk, and he needed to apologize for the way he’d spoken to her at the ball two nights ago. She was a lady, and he’d mistreated her. The Countess of Monmouth made him lose reason, but that was no excuse.
Running a hand down his face, he tried to ease the lingering pain in his head, which was all that was left of the headache he’d suffered last night.
“I will bring your tea, my lord,” Fletcher said, then quietly shut the door behind him.
Scanning the few lines of her note, Patrick thought he might swap the tea for something stronger.
My son has taken a chill, and it would be unwise to leave him in such a distressed state. Therefore, I must decline your invitation to go driving today, my lord.Patrick read the words once more.
I deserved this from her.He rarely spoke without thought, but he had when he’d all but told her he wanted to take her to his bed.
“Behold the mighty Lord Coulter at his desk.”
Patrick lowered the note and looked at his unexpected guest.
“Is it an apparition? Surely the estimable Viscount Sumner is not standing before me at”—Patrick made a great show of checking the clock that hung above his desk— “eleven o’clock.”
“Shut up, Coulter. My mother has come to town, and you know what that means.” Stephen groaned, sinking into a leather armchair across from the desk. A scruffy white dog followed, leaping nimbly onto Stephen’s lap before turning two circles and settling into a small coil.
“Good morning, Bidders,” Patrick said to the small canine who had his back to him. Clearly, the dog had his master’s manners. “I will have Fletcher make up a room. How long are you to stay with me?”
“Very good of you, and I’m unsure.” Stephen propped his chin on one hand while he stared morosely out the window behind Patrick.
“How many guests has your mother brought with her this time?” Patrick asked, getting to his feet. Picking up the whisky decanter, he poured two glasses. To hell with the hour. If ever two men needed a drink, it was they.
“Seven, and three are sisters, but I fear more will follow,” Stephen replied, taking a large gulp of the whisky Patrick had handed him.
