Althea knew that she should object but couldn’t bring herself to do so.
Instead, she bit her bottom lip in anticipation of the kiss she knew was coming.
Melcombe leaned in, but there was no gentleness. His lips were hard, demanding, but she didn’t mind. Desire built and passion flared.
His tongue traced the seam of her lips and she parted, then he delved.
Goodness, she may have been kissed before, but never in this manner.
Althea tilted her head and opened wider and attempted to mimic the kiss he was giving her. When she did so, his hand tightened on her thigh then caressed.
The arm that had been behind her, now curved about her shoulders. His mouth left hers as he trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck and just as he reached the most sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, a hand cupped her breast.
Althea moaned and let her head fall back, her body engulfed with the most delicious sensation, an aching but not in an unpleasant manner.
This was passion. It is what had ruined many a miss, but in this moment, she did not care.
“I’ve brought help, Lord Melcombe. The wheel will be fitted on quickly.”
At the sound of the driver’s voice, Althea was instantly pulled from whatever spell she’d fallen beneath.
Melcombe also drew away but studied her face. His eyes dark with desire.
“Miss Claywell, I, um…”
“This shouldn’t have happened.” She straightened her dress, even though it wasn’t in disarray. “I shouldn’t have allowed such liberties,” she rushed to say and retrieved her reticule that had fallen on the floor. “Please don’t think poorly of me. I am not…I don’t…”
He took her hand. “I do not think poorly of you, Miss Claywell.”
She searched his blue eyes for the truth.
“We both desire. Is that so wrong?”
“Yes, Lord Melcombe, it is for I am your governess.” With that, she pushed on the carriage door and jumped out.
“Where are you going?”
“To return to my duties.” What she needed was a long walk to cool her body and she couldn’t do that sitting next to him.
“Wait, I’ll walk with you.”
“It would be best if you didn’t,” she called back.
Althea didn’t even turn to see if he followed and dearly hoped that he didn’t.
What had just happened could never happen again. So long as she meant nothing more than fulfilling a desire, it would remain unsatisfied.
Chapter Twenty
Tousethewordsof his uncle, Preston had bungled it.
He should have taken the opportunity to privately express his emotions, tell her the bloody truth, and ask her to be his wife.
Instead, he had let passion and lust rule again, instead of his mind.
Now she was walking away and likely might not speak to him again.
At least she said that she was returning to her duties and did not quit her employment.
