That was all the invitation he needed. His arms wrapped around her and his mouth took over their first kiss, but it was no gentle meeting of the lips, as with young lovers. It was a demand from a man who needed her, or perhaps any woman. The thrill of his tongue thrusting into her mouth had her wrapping her arms around his neck in full supplication.
His hands roamed over her, one finding her backside as the other ran up her side to cup her breast. His fingers moved over her bare skin to dip into her dress, searching and finding her hard peak. The suddenness of her desire caught her by surprise, intensifying every feeling. She pressed her hips against the evidence of his need and moaned.
Suddenly, his hands were gone and she stumbled back, confused, blood pounding in her veins.
“I cannot in good conscience…” He didn’t continue, just stood there staring at her as if he didn’t know who she was.
Tamping down her frustrated desire, she retrieved her handkerchief from the ground and wrapped it around her neck, tucking it in beneath her stays. Crouching down again, she found three of her pins, picked up her bonnet, and then, as if he weren’t still standing there watching her, coolly wrapped her hair up, fastened it, and tied her bonnet. Lastly, she swept the red cloak about her and fastened it.
She walked over to her empty basket and looped her arm through it before facing him. “We’ve learned quite a bit today. Shall we return home now?”
“No.” His voice sounded normal, though his countenance was anything but pleased. “We will talk about this.” He waved his hand between them. “Where did you learn to entice a man so? Does your grandmother know? Did you know this back in France?”
Relieved that he would not hold her actions against her, she moved toward him, but when he took a step back, she halted. “If you wish to know if I was a virgin when you came to find theCapitaine, the answer is no. Before you arrived, I met Etienne.” A part of her heart still hurt when she thought of the man she’d loved. “He and I were to be married, but we did not wait for a ceremony to fully show our love for each other. It was wartime and every moment was precious, no day assured.” She paused, waiting for the sting of pain to subside. “He, like my father and brother before him, was forced into the war and killed. He is the one who taught me about love and fulfillment.” The memories were bittersweet—more sweet as the years passed.
“I didn’t know. You never told me.”
She shrugged. “There was no need to. It was in the past.”
He took a step forward and stopped. “But it’s a part of you, what made you who you are.”
There was no censure in his voice, but she was well aware of the mores of the English. “Oui, so you can see more now that I cannot marry a peer. You know how they think.” Even as she said the words, she shivered. If only she didn’t have to marry at all. But there was her grandmother to think of.
Anthony appeared lost in his own thoughts, though why her revelation would concern him so much was a puzzle. Unless he was considering her suggestion. “That is why I can easily pass asyour mistress if you can find a way to obtain an invitation. I don’t suppose you can steal one?”
That dispelled his pensiveness. His lips quirked. “No, I can’t steal one. An invitation to someone’s home is delivered only to the people invited.”
“Then you must get invited.” She strolled past him. “Now, we’d best get that horse you used and get back to Northampton, or we’ll be traveling at night, and you know how thieves like to lurk about at night.” She winked, since they had once been those very thieves.
In short order, they had retrieved their horse and mounted. She was once again behind him and didn’t mind holding on to him. She’d never noticed exactly how pleasant cloves could smell. Then again, it might simply be his particular clove scent. “Have you ever thought about getting married?”
He chuckled, his body moving slightly with his humor. “Now why would you ask that?”
“You know that I once planned to marry, so I was curious.”
“The answer is no. I have four brothers—three are married and two have children. There is no reason for me to wed.”
She found his answer odd. “What about for love? Have you ever been in love?”
He shook his head as he guided the horse to the left at a split in the road. “That tender emotion has never visited me. It is just as well. I could not imagine having to stay at home with a wife and family when there is so much going on around us.”
His answer wasn’t a surprise—still, it did not bode well for her suggesting they marry. Then again, she wouldn’t mind if he continued with his investigations.
Or would she? Being absolutely honest with herself, she was sure she’d want to help. Maybe after this one was completed, she could bring up the possibility.
His first answer, though, had her puzzled. “Did none of your brothers marry for love?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not privy to their thoughts and feelings. I rarely see them as we each have our own—”
At his sudden pause, she prodded. “Own what? Life?”
He twisted around to look at her. “I think I know how I can get an invitation.”
Excitement at that prospect had her heart racing. “How?”
“My brother.”
“Your brother?”
