“I have never been truly, deeply and passionately kissed.”
This statement took him by surprise.
“That is what I will demand of youwhen Ifind the heart.”
Crisp could only stare at her. Vanessa did not know what she was asking. Yes, he wanted to kiss her, and so much more.
“Unless you don’t think you could find the desire to do so.” She bit her bottom lip as if she was afraid to hear his response. Did she think he would reject her?
His blood heated. “I can assure you, finding the desire to kiss you as such will not be a difficulty.”
Her cheeks were now as bright as a freshly picked apple of fall.
“You were betrothed, nearly married. Certainly, your fiancé kissed you as such.”
Vanessa drew in a breath through her nose, which expanded her chest and lifted her breasts quite nicely before she blew it out between pursed lips. “He only managed to kiss the back of my hand if you must know. It should have been the first of many signs that the marriage would not be.”
“I’m sorry.” Whether the betrothal was short or long, a fiancé should have at least kissed his future bride before meeting her at the church. Perhaps Vanessa was correct in that Lovell preferred his valet to her.
“It was for the best.” She shrugged as if it was of no consequence. “Besides, men wish to control and had I married younger, I may have been more agreeable to that which is required of a miss. Now that I am older, and wiser, I have no desire to be chattel. Further, as my wealth and connections are nearly as good as yours, with my uncle being the Duke of Arscott and your brother also a duke, you don’t need me to further your standing in society.”
“Therefore, I am safe for kissing.” Crisp laughed.
“Yes. If you kiss me, I have no fears that it is because you want a wife for what I could bring to a match. Further you have no wish for a wife, which makes kissing you the perfect solution to what I want to experience.”
“The deeply passionate kiss?” he confirmed.
“Yes. The kind that makes a girl’s toes curl.” She looked up at him. “My toes must curl. Could you manage such?”
Oh, her toes would curl just as her limbs grew weak. It would be a kiss she would never forget. “I can manage,” he promised.
“Good.” Vanessa brushed her gloved hands together. “If you find the ruby first, which you will not, what would you like to win.”
As she wanted a bone-melting kiss, he’d ask for something better. “Your company for a day, without anyone else around, in which we will do what I wish.”
Vanessa raised an eyebrow. “That sounds rather scandalous, Lord Crispin.”
“Only slightly more scandalous than what you wish to win, Miss Claxton,” he challenged.
“I suppose so,” she chuckled and held out her hand. “To our scandalous wager.”
Crisp took her hand and shook on the terms. “Scandalous wager indeed.” It didn’t matter who won as he would not lose either way.
Vanessa settled into the parlor on the third day since her arrival and awaited the next set of riddles. From what she gathered, most of the guests had eventually determined that they needed a bridle and pineapple yesterday, but it had taken them into the afternoon to come to that conclusion. She and Crisp had hoped to search the house while they waited, but there had been too many servants about. They may need to do so after everyone has retired so as not to be caught.
Now that Crisp had agreed to her scandalous wager, Vanessa was even more determined to find that ruby before him.
Though upon reflection, while she had asked for a kiss, he had wished for an entire day in her company and to do what he wished. What could he possibly want to do with her, alone?
Oh, she hoped it involved kissing, but it may not. If Crisp didn’t kiss her, nobody else would. Besides, she’d never wanted anyone else to kiss her. Not even her fiancé.
Thank God they’d not married.
Last evening she had made a list of all the places on the estate that they had yet to search. Now Vanessa just needed to decide if she wished to share it with Crisp, which came back to her original question of whether she’d rather spend the day with him or be kissed.
She wanted to be kissed, which meant she must find the ruby first!
Crisp took the page with the riddle from the tray the footman presented, then joined her by a window.
