Relief flooded him at her agreement. “I’ll meet you there shortly.”
He moved away to visit with another lord, noting when Lord and Lady Oxley departed, along with their daughters. He greeted a few other acquaintances as he eased toward his destination. Much of the crowd lingered to visit and no one paid him any mind when he walked up a short flight of stairs that provided another path to where he’d directed Eliza to meet him.
He’d had a brief affair with an actress years ago and was familiar with the path that led back down to the corridor. He remained hidden in the shadows on the lowest step until Eliza appeared.
She glanced around as if in search of him, and he reached out to take her arm and pulled her up two stairs, causing her to gasp in surprise.
“I didn’t see you,” she whispered.
“Perfect,” he said. “That means no one else will either.”
He didn’t know what he intended. He only knew he needed a few more minutes with her to help calm the restless feeling that had overtaken him. Perhaps then he could endure the evening ahead.
His eyes had adjusted to the dimness of the stairway, and he could see her puckered brow as she looked at him.
“How is it that you seem to know so many hidden places everywhere we go?” she asked.
He shrugged. “One reason or another.” Her question was a reminder that he had to stop meeting her like this. It wasn’t fair to her, yet neither could he resist. He didn’t like to think what that said about him.
“Is all well?” she asked, clearly curious about why he’d asked her to join him.
How should he answer? A portion of the truth would have to suffice.
“I just...wanted a few more minutes with you.”
Her slow smile was his reward. “How nice. I appreciate that as well.”
Was it possible that she wanted another kiss as much as he did? Though he knew it would only leave him hungry for more, he reached to trail his fingers along the back of her bare arms. “I didn’t expect to see you here. It was a pleasant surprise.”
“As it was for me,” she whispered. “But aren’t you expected elsewhere soon?”
“I am.” The reminder of how short a time they had sped his heartbeat. The last thing he should do was kiss Eliza. “I’m sure you are as well.”
“Yes. I told my aunt I would return directly.” She lifted her hands between them, hesitating before resting them on his chest.
He didn’t think he’d ever felt anything so wonderful. “We will have to go soon.”
“Yes.” She stared at him as if waiting to see what he intended. Then her gaze dropped to his mouth.
With a groan, he kissed her, pleased when he felt her hands wrap around his neck. She responded ardently, which thrilled him.
Before he knew it, his hands had shifted from her waist to her hips then ran along her curves. He delved his tongue into her mouth, relishing the taste of her before pressing kisses along her cheek and down to her neck.
“We need to go,” she murmured.
“Yes.” She was right but he didn’t want to leave her.
He kissed her deeply once again and couldn’t resist cupping a hand just below her breast. She arched into him, and his manhood stiffened in response. His desire was flaring out of control, but he was loathe to halt it.
Eliza was perfect in every way. She felt so good in his arms. He enjoyed hearing her opinions on everything from the weather to the books she so enjoyed to the play they’d viewed that evening. Was it any wonder he wanted her for himself?
An image of Winston came to mind. But even that wasn’t enough to force him to let her go.
“Philip?” Eliza whispered, her chest heaving.
The sight had him moving a finger along the neckline of her gown, already imagining the full globes of her breasts in his hands. “Yes.”
“We truly do need to go.” She reached for his finger and pressed it tightly against her chest. The movement befuddled him.
