She lifted her chin and decided that most of her cunning would have to rely upon her mannerisms. She already knew thatthe earl was a consummate rake. If “The Belle” hadn’t decided to write about him, it would have been apparent from the first moment they had met that Lord Belmont was in a class of his own. It was evident in the way he walked with that debonair attitude, or the way he swung his cane with an air of confidence. But those eyes… those devilish, blue eyes that beckoned her, that enticed her to travel down the path of sin, were the most dangerous.
Very well then.
No further eye contact. It should be simple enough.
Gathering her courage, Meliah opened the door and made her way downstairs. She paused at the bottom of the staircase, thinking that she ought to smell some sort of food being laid out, but when there was nothing immediate to give away the direction she needed to be going, Meliah turned to the left and headed down the hall.
She peeked in the doors that were open, because he surely wouldn’t expect her to check every door. However, she wasn’t above investigating every inch of this house in due time. There was likely some sort of clue to his past that would reveal the earl’s true nature.
When she heard the sound of clinking glass, Meliah walked into a comfortable room that was filled with brilliant sunshine. But it was the man in the midst of it all who captured her attention. The earl had changed, not into formal attire, but rather dressed down in a clean white shirt and buff trousers. Without the extra accessories of a cravat and waistcoat, he invoked a terribly intimate setting in the bright light of morning. She was particularly drawn to the strong column of his throat and the exposed part of his upper chest. When their eyes met, he dared to wink at her, because he likely knew what his disheveled appearance was doing to her peace of mind.
So much for forgoing any eye contact…
The man truly was a master in his art.
It was going to take all of her fortitude to withstand him, and not give in to temptation.
CHAPTER 4
Elwood was pleased with the scene he’d carefully prepared. It was ideal for seduction, and with the enticing figure Miss Newton presented in that dress, which hinted at those luscious curves and made him imagine that she were lying in a field of wildflowers, ripe for the plucking, he was eager for the day to begin.
However, all of that changed when he saw the resilience on her face. He admired her determination to push him away, but at the same time he despised it. No other woman had dared to resist him, nor had they wanted to do so. Dare he say it pricked his pride?
Clearing his throat, he straightened and waved a hand at the covered silver dishes in front of him. “I thought we might dine a bit more casually.”
She chose a seat diagonally from him and sat so stiff and primly that he wanted to smile. “Did you prepare this yourself?”
He laughed. “Hardly. I told you that there are servants about if I am in need of them.”
“And when you’re not?”
He lifted the lid to find a vine of grapes. He grinned, and then popped one into his mouth. There was a small vineyardon the property that was carefully cultivated. Although it didn’t produce much wine, the harvest was mature at this time of year. He’d nearly forgotten how much he enjoyed them. “They are carefully absent until I do.” He allowed the second grape to hover near his mouth as he added, “Are you scared to be alone with me, Miss Newton?”
“With Prospero?” she asked with a glint of mischief in her gaze. “I should think not.”
He smirked as he gently bit into the fruit and juice exploded in his mouth. He licked his lips, savoring every bit of it, and then swallowed. He picked up the plate and handed it to her. “You shouldn’t miss out on such a delight. These are grown on the property.” She eyed the offering warily, until it prompted him to say, “There is nothing to fear from such an innocent treat.”
“It’s not that.” She hesitated as she plucked one from the vine. “I’ve never had a grape before.”
He stilled, because he had to have heard wrong. Every single lady of his acquaintance had enjoyed grapes, as well as the elusive pineapple. Since this woman claimed to have not, either she had led a rather sheltered life, or she wasn’t actually gentry. He found the latter difficult to believe, since she appeared to be well versed in conversation and manners.
He was considering the prospect when she slipped the grape between her teeth. All of a sudden, Elwood’s attention was riveted on her reaction. Her eyes closed and as she chewed, he was quite certain he’d never beheld anything more erotic. The most practiced courtesans couldn’t invoke that sort of innocent demeanor, no matter how hard they tried. It was the unreserved reaction that could only belong to someone who was being introduced to something new.
His cock immediately responded, because again, he had the feeling she wasnewto most everything and he would love to teach her the most carnal actions he could contrive.
When she opened her eyes and that enticing pink tongue darted out to lick her lips, Elwood was quite certain he was going to lose his self-control. But he managed to shift his gaze away long enough where his cock might cease its persistent throb.
“It was wonderful. Much better than I imagined. Might I have another?”
He wasn’t sure he could withstand it, but he practically shoved the plate into her hands. “Have as many as you want,” he returned gruffly, and then he did his best to busy himself with the rest of the cook’s generous offerings, as opposed to engaging in any further torture.
Ham, eggs, bread, cheese, scones—they were just a few of the delights that were laid out before him. It was a perfect selection to tempt any pallet, and what he had requested since he didn’t know what sort of food Miss Newton preferred. Some of the ladies of his acquaintance had been known to be rather particular, but to his surprise, she took a little of everything that he offered and appeared to appreciate it all.
He wished it might be so easy to convince her to accept him as it was to tempt her with what was on the tray, but he told himself to be patient. It wasn’t as though he hadn’t faced a challenge before. The first day had yet to fully pass. He would have to earn her trust first, and then it should be easy enough to gain more.
“Shall I pour the tea?” she asked.
“Cream, but no sugar,” he replied.
