His fingers grazed the neckline of her gown, suggesting he knew what she wanted. Then those fingers reached below her gown to tease her nipple, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.
She found the narrow opening between the buttons of his soft linen shirt. Though she still wore gloves, she ran a finger over what she knew was his bare skin. He shuddered, suggesting he was as affected by her touch as she was by his.
Though she knew they should stop, she didn’t want to. Moments like this were how ladies were ruined. But this was Philip, and she trusted him with every fiber of her being.
“Eliza, we shouldn’t be doing this.” He withdrew his hand, and already she missed his touch.
Yes, we should, she wanted to counter. Yet she wasn’t brave enough to allow the words freedom.
He eased back to look into her eyes. “Ishouldn’t be doing this.”
“Philip.” She licked her lips, wanting desperately to kiss him again.
With a groan he answered her unspoken request. This time, she savored every second as she knew it would soon end. She pressed a hand on his chest, wanting to know if his heart pounded as fiercely as hers.
If there was any chance of her capturing it the way he had hers.
He straightened to look at her again. “You are so special. And I hope the right man sees that.” He released her to take her hand in his much like he had before this interlude had begun. “I wish I could be that man.”
Her heart pinched. No. It hurt much worse than a pinch. A terrible ache that made it impossible to breathe.
“What do you mean?” she asked, hoping to hide the pain his words caused.
He shook his head. “I have always considered you my honorary sister given my friendship with Winston. He would never forgive me if he knew what had just happened.”
“You don’t know that for certain.” But she also worried what her brother would think. “And I’m most certainly not your sister.”
“I also feel as if I’ve lived a lifetime longer than you.”
“The years between us are nothing.” She paused, trying to determine the best way to react. Revealing her hurt would only make him more determined to keep his distance.
“They are.” He released her hand and panic set in.
“The years I spent away felt like a lifetime to me. I don’t think we’re so different.” She had to keep her wits about her. She needed to act with the maturity she claimed to have.
Better thatshewalk away in this moment rather than him. Before he said something rash that she didn’t want to hear.
With a forced smile, she reached out to straighten his tie. What better way to keep him off balance than to make light of the encounter? “We are dear friends, Philip. I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.”
“Nor would I,” he readily agreed.
“Exploring the...attraction between us is only natural.” She turned toward the door, but not before she noted the crease of his brow as if he was perplexed by her statement. “But you’re right. We should leave before we are found.”
“Yes.” Yet his frown only deepened.
Better that she confuse him so he didn’t make up his mind to avoid her. That wouldn’t do.
“I’ll leave first. Wait a few minutes before you follow.” She reached for the knob and looked back at him. “Philip?”
“Yes?” His expression was unreadable from this distance in the single candleflame.
“Thank you for the kisses.” She touched the tip of her finger to her lips. “They were quite delightful.”
Then she slipped out the door.
Philip blew out a breath and closed his eyes. Eliza might be gone, but the sweet scent of her lingered. He hadn’t meant to kiss her. He’d only wanted a moment away from the Graham sisters, and Eliza’s presence had provided an easy excuse.
Or had it been more than that?
