“We can start with your game of charades…” He tilted his head, and she held her breath while his eyes flicked up and down her form. “Then, we can move on to other activities.”
Lavinia gulped nervously. “Such as?”
The corner of his lip lifted, showing his amusement. “I am at your command, Miss Fitzroy. While you are invading my space, we may do whatever you like.”
Lavinia was forced to take a step back as the gentleman placed his candle on a nearby table and closed the remaining gap between them. The solid door met her back, forcing her to stop.
Now, there didn’t seem much space between them, and the heat in her core grew. He slowly moved his head closer to her cheek. His lips almost touched her ear. A more aggressive prickly sensation grew in her chest, spreading so fast that it made her feel lightheaded.
“Tell you what…” He brushed his lips over her earlobe.
His proximity sent a thrill down her back, to her stomach, and down to her core, and with each passing second, the aggravationgrew in her head. She hoped that the man would stop whatever he had been doing to make her feel this way.
“I can help you get out of this conundrum, as I am a man of action, Miss Fitzroy.”
Lavinia gasped as his hands stroked her hips and then travelled up the sides of her ribs, stopping before he could feel her bosom.
“I do not need—” She tried to correct him, but she was not sure how to finish her statement. Up was down. Left was right. Her thoughts were entirely muddled.
For the first time in her life, Lavinia found herself wanting something she could not understand. There were feelings that built up inside her, feelings that felt like sin, but she knew she wanted to keep feeling them.
Suddenly, the gentleman reached for both of her hands and gently pulled her away from the door. He led her to a chair on the opposite side of the room, then went back to the door.
Lavinia opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a word, the man quickly stepped out into the hall.
Lavinia quaked in her seat. She did not know what this man had planned, but she was certain that being found here at this hour would not bode well for her.
“Lord Windham, we meet again. What a surprise to see you here.” The man spoke with such confidence.
“Ah, Your Grace…” Lavinia leaned forward as she heard the Viscount’s speech falter and his words grow quieter. “I did not expect to find you here.”
“Yes,” the Duke mused. “I heard you call out for Miss Fitzroy.”
“I… umm… yes. That is true.” Lord Windham’s words were tinged with nervousness.
“I hope you did not come to speak to me about my sister this evening.”
“I… uh… Lady Madeline?” Lord Windham’s voice squeaked.
Lady Madeline’s brother… His Grace… Why, this must be the Duke of Pemberton.
Lavinia’s thoughts roared so loudly in her head then that they drowned out the conversation unfolding between the two gentlemen. She knew not what they said because all she could think of was how she had made this colossal mistake.
Aggravation made her chest feel tight.
Of all the doors I could’ve walked through tonight, I walked through the Duke of Pemberton’s door?
Suddenly, everything about their interaction made sense. Lady St. Vincent had told her the Duke was a rake. She had warned them all to be on their guard, but Lavinia had failed to listen. Or rather, she had listened, but she had not thought through what she was doing before walking into his room.
Heat flooded her entire body when she remembered how just seconds ago, her eyes had lingered on his bare torso, and she had felt tingles in her core.
Soon, the door creaked open. The still shirtless Duke reentered, and despite having a moment to process the matter, Lavinia remained astonished by the tempting sight.
She shook her head forcefully, willing common sense to return, and ignored the alluring thought of what might have happened between them if he had not flung open the door.
More embarrassed than ever, Lavinia lurched to her feet and stumbled toward the door.
“I apologize, Your Grace, but I didn’t recognize you,” she blurted.
