Chapter Ten
Lanora worked not to wince. Lord William looked at her as if she’d suggested they flap their arms and fly up into the bright blue above, chasing clouds. What must he think of her? Here he was, a notorious rake and charmer, being perfectly well behaved, and she requested a kiss. If he refused, she was going to throttle Grace.
“It’s a sad thing to find, at only six and twenty, that my hearing is failing me,” he finally said.
“Are you declining, then?” She couldn’t keep a hurt edge from her voice. She hadn’t expected to be so thoroughly disappointed if he wouldn’t kiss her. She’d expected relief.
“Before I decide, may I ask why?”
Lanora let out a sigh, feeling foolish. “Grace said, if I kissed you, I would better know my feelings, and she seems to think it will give me some insight into yours.”
His eyebrows shot up. “And you agree with her?”
She shrugged. “I’m not certain. I worry you aren’t the sort to stop with one kiss.”
“Yet you would take that risk?” He didn’t appear offended by the accusation. Nor did he refute it. If anything, amusement touched his tone.
“Well, if you don’t stop, Grace said I was to remove a hairpin and stab you.”
He grinned, a real smile, not the strained ones that curved his mouth as he spoke of his father. “What if kissing you is so distracting, I don’t feel the hairpin?”
“Then I’ll stab you again.” She could feel her face heating.
His grin didn’t falter. “Eventually, I should like to meet Grace.”
Lanora doubted that would go well. She knew he believed Grace was at least a gentleman’s daughter. When he learned she was a maid, he would look down on her, and Lanora. She frowned. How could she consider kissing such a man, any man of theton?
“Or not,” he said, his tone light. “As I can see you don’t wish me to.”
Her face was still hot. She stood, turning her back in the pretense of studying the sculpture. She could hear him rise to his feet. Once composed, she turned back. “Forgive me for making such a scandalous suggestion. Please forget I spoke.”
His hazel eyes darkened. “I don’t believe I can do that.”
He was quite tall, particularly when he stood so near. Lanora pressed her lips together, annoyed by her racing pulse. “I rescind the request.”
“Oh? Has it not worked in the past, then, kissing a man to know if there’s something between you?” His tone was still light, but his eyes narrowed.
She lost a second battle not to blush. “I wouldn’t know.” Was that whispery voice hers?
“There’s only one way to learn.” He closed the remaining distance between them. “For the pursuit of knowledge, I feel you must permit me to kiss you.”
He slid an arm around her waist, his hand warm and large on the small of her back. His other he brought to her face, his fingers gliding along a curl before tucking it behind her ear. His eyes, dark pools now, studied hers.
She should say no. She should step away. A proper lady wouldn’t be in this empty garden with Lord William. A proper lady would already have a hairpin out.
Lanora closed her eyes and tilted her head back.
The moment his mouth touched hers, she forgot about hairpins, gardens, and proper ladies. His hand cupped her face, angling it. Resting her palms against his chest, she took in the warmth and strength of him. Nothing before had ever felt like his kiss. It was sunlight and joy. Her whole body came alive, when she hadn’t known it wasn’t. The kiss went on and on, enveloping, dizzying.
Then he stopped. Slowly, achingly, he raised his head. Lanora curled her fingers into the lapel of his coat. She rocked up on her toes, trying to reclaim the joy of moments before. He let out a low growl and wrapped both arms around her, crushing her to his chest. He rested his chin on her head. His warm breath stirred her hair. His heart pounded beneath her palm.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, laying her cheek against his coat.
“Stopping before you make me forget to.”
“It was a good kiss, then?” She wished she could call the words back, they sounded so nervous.
His chuckle washed over her. She closed her eyes. The arms about her felt so safe. When was the last time she’d felt arms around her?
