She may be innocent and lack experience, but that did not mean that she did not want him. All of him, to learn all the secrets kept from women until they became brides, which she would never be.
No longer did he hold the back of her head but skimmed his hand down her back, and side, then up again until he cradled one breast, his thumb brushing across an erect nipple. Eliza’s legs nearly gave out and she clung even tighter to him.
When he slipped a leg between her thighs, Eliza pressed against him, hoping that the ache that had developed below would gain some relief, but it only made her want his touch all the more.
In a blink, Lucian raised his head, lifted his hand, and stepped away.
“You are a dangerous temptation.”
That may be the nicest compliment she had ever received.
“I apologize for taking advantage.”
His breaths were a little short so at least he was moved nearly as much as her. Unfortunately, he gained the control she lacked, and truly didn’t wish to possess.
He put his suitcoat around her shoulders one more time. “Leave it,” he ordered.
Eliza did not argue because the time for kissing, or anything else, had clearly come to an end, much to her disappointment.
“We are returning to the house and you will stay away from the water and the folly.” He returned to the folly and lifted the map. “And the caves.” With that, Lucian turned on his heel and marched away, likely assuming that she would follow.
A gentleman would have offered his arm, but likely he was not in his right mind, and neither was she. However, Eliza did come to one conclusion from their encounter—she would not be leaving Wyndhill Park until she discovered and experienced passion and finally rid herself of all innocence. But first, she needed to somehow convince Lucian to submit, which might be difficult.
Chapter22
So long asLucian could hear Eliza behind him, he knew that she was following and safe. However, he did not turn around to look because even though she had finally draped his suitcoat over her shoulders, it still gaped in the front and there was only so much temptation he could fight and feared that if he turned and took in her appearance, that it would be him kissing her this time.
The woman was a danger!
Where was her sense of propriety?
He’d expect such behavior from a mistress or a light skirt. Eliza was a respectable miss. A spinster!
All he could hope was that she better covered herself as they neared the manor or his footmen would no doubt be suffering from the same type of desire that was heating Lucian’s veins at this very moment.
As they neared the terrace and the footman did not react, only then did Lucian risk looking back over his shoulder to note that Eliza had pulled the suitcoat closed and all that could be seen was her wet skirt from her thighs down.
Thank goodness.
“I shall be in the library until supper,” he announced and stormed into the house, down to the library then slammed the door behind him.
If she continued to tempt him, Lucian had no doubt that he would eventually seduce her. The only problem, he feared that she would willingly let him.
Did Eliza not know what that would mean?
Bedding of a miss resulted in marriage to a lord—to him!
While Lucian did need to wed, and produce a son, since his brothers were not seeing to the task, Eliza would be a poor choice.
Though Xavier recently wed and there was hope that his wife would produce the necessary heir. However, if Xavier failed to do so, and if another brother did not see to the necessity within the year, Lucian would have no choice but to find the most pleasant woman he could and make her his wife.
That person was not Eliza.
She was pleasant and he enjoyed her company, but she would never be content to spend the remainder of her days in Wyndhill Park, only going to London during the Season, but not really taking part. London was for parliament, not entertainment.
Eliza was intriguing, adventurous, impetuous, and reckless. He was disciplined, practical, cautious, predictable, and respectable.
No two people were more different and she threatened everything. If he gave in to seduction then all that he believed himself to be would vanish.
