He slumped back into the chair, euphoria racing through every fiber of his being. Evelina was resting on his chest, her soft breath skittering over his neck.
When he did catch his breath, he whispered, “You did well on your first time, sweetheart.”
She nosed at his cheek. “My tutors always said the quickness I had acquiring new subjects was uncanny.”
With his head cocked on the lip of the couch, he laughed. “They were onto something there.”
Ellie rested her hand over his chest, “Why didn’t you let me—”
“I was too close, love,” he told her while stroking up and down her back. “A gentleman doesn’t finish in a lady’s mouth.”
“Hmm,” she pondered. “Until today, I wasn’t aware a woman could do such a thing to a man.”
He shifted her off his lap to tuck himself in and straighten his clothes. With his clean hands, he stroked her face, “I’ve probably gotten you all worked up, pet. Should I—”
Ellie shook his head, “No, you don’t need to.”
“Are you sure?” Dorian pressed. “I can—”
“What youcando for me is join me for luncheon,” she smiled coyly. “And then a nap. I think we have a ball to attend tonight, and I do not want to look as if I’ve been dragged out of a haystack.”
“As long as there are no cucumber sandwiches,” he chuckled. “I despise those things.”
“I think that is the first food item you’ve told me that you despise.” She cast her sweet gaze up at him. “Tell me more.”
CHAPTER 20
“Turn around and tip your head up,” Dorian spoke from behind her.
Twirling in front of the floor-length mirror, the skirts of deep purple fluttered in the air. The bodice, gathered beneath her bosom, flowed out in a sleek column to her dark jeweled slippers. The rich shade suited her coloring, and the modiste had certainly earned every penny to create this magnificent gown.
Evelina lifted her chin as he slid a necklace around her throat; the faultless triple strand of diamonds converged with a large square cut emerald in the center.
Her eyes transformed into dinner plates. “Dorian! No, I cannot take—”
“Youcanand youwill,” he commanded over her shoulder. “They are yours, Ellie. Do not insult me by refusing them. The necklacewas my mama’s,” he added quietly. “The jade is antique and of the highest quality. Also, it holds a lot of memories for me.”
Her fingers skittered over the gem. “I’m… I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do is to insult you. Thank you.”
Turning in his arms, she rested her hands on his shoulder; she would have expected Dorian to embody male perfection, but the sight of him in formal evening attire made her feel breathless.
The stark black and white of his ball suit emphasized his height and virile leanness. His hair was tamed in waves and gleamed under the warm gas light lamp. His face, freshly shaved, was fit to be immortalized in stone. A diamond stick pin glittered in the snowy folds of his cravat. He was every inch a Duke.
He slid a pin, topped with another emerald, into her chignon. “Have I told you how breathtaking you look?”
“You have,” she replied, her head tipping to meet his eyes. “Who would have thought you would be such a romantic?”
“Take care not to utter a word of that. Toanyone,” he emphasized with a solemn but wolfish glint in his eyes. “I have a reputation of being ruthless, callous, and a savage—and I would like it to stay that way.”
She motioned zipping her lip. “Not a word would slip from me.”
“Good,” he nodded as he escorted her to the door. On the way out, she snatched her reticule from a table, and soon enough, they were in front of his palatial carriage.
“Is there anything in this ball you would want me to keep an eye out for?” she asked. “As I did the last time?”
“No,” he replied, with a subtle shake of the head. “There is no espionage tonight. Tonight is when we enjoy ourselves.”
She widened her eyes comically, “You? Enjoy yourself? And here I thought that was what you were doingallalong.”
