“Pardon me. I couldn’t help but overhearing your predicament.” Gray’s voice rumbled over her, and she whirled around to face him. Her jaw worked up and down, but no words would form.
He extended a hand to Stuart. “We haven’t been formally introduced, Mr. Eglin. Grayson Douglas at your service.”
“Charmed, I’m sure,” Stuart said as he gingerly shook Gray’s hand, his full sleeves billowing and falling down his arm.
“I would be delighted to convey you home in my carriage,” Gray offered.
“What a dear, dear man you are, sir.” Stuart beamed at him and turned to Jenna. “Did you hear that, my dear? This kind gentleman has agreed to show us home.”
“Shouldn’t you see Lady Lockhart home?” she asked more sharply than she intended.
He smiled and replied, “I assure you Lady Lockhart has no need of me. She has already departed.”
Jenna flushed and glanced away.
“If you would be so kind as to give me your direction, I shall inform my driver to take us there at once,” Gray said to Stuart.
Gray ushered them to the foyer and motioned for the footman to summon his carriage. Moments later he handed Jenna up into the seat then stepped aside for Stuart to climb in.
Gray settled into the seat across from her and Stuart, and the carriage rocked into motion. “Since your residence is closer, Mr. Eglin, we’ll make our first stop there. I’ll make sure Lady Jenna arrives safely home in your stead.”
“You are a true gentleman,” Stuart said with a delicate sniff. “I don’t care what others might say of you.”
Jenna gasped. “Stuart! That wasn’t a polite thing to say at all.”
Stuart looked at her in surprise. “But Jenna, I was merely complimenting Mr. Grayson.”
“It was a backhanded slight, and you know it,” she said fiercely. “I am surprised at you, Stuart. You aren’t usually so vulgar.”
Gray’s lips twitched suspiciously. “Your defense is most appreciated, my lady. But completely unnecessary. I didn’t take offense at Mr. Eglin’skindwords at all.”
“There, you see, Jenna? I handed no insult.” Stuart huffed and flounced back into the seat, a sulky twist to his mouth.
She glanced apologetically at Gray who winked at her in return. When they pulled up in front of Stuart’s father’s townhome, she felt some measure of relief. But when he exited the carriage and she found herself staring across at Gray’s imposing presence, she almost wished Stuart was back.
“So did you enjoy tonight’s entertainment?” he asked in a low husky voice.
Tiny prickles of electric sensation rushed over her skin, like the heated desert sandstorms she’d read about so frequently. Somehow when she looked deep into his eyes, she could envision their twisting bodies in the hot sands of Egypt.
She licked her lips. “Not particularly, but then you seemed to have enjoyed your evening with Lady Lockhart.” Mortification swept over her in a maelstrom. She could have done without sounding like a jealous lover.
“She is a warm companion and a truly wonderful lady,” he said in a mild tone.
“So what am I? Something between cool and lukewarm?” Oh, fie on trying not to squelch the tide of envy that was eating at her.
He chuckled, then the carriage came to a stop. She cast an irritated look at him and started for the door. He caught her hand and pulled her abruptly against his chest. Her breath was torn from her throat as his lips crashed down on hers with fiery intensity.
His hand cupped her neck, pulling her further into his embrace. The hard planes of his chest crushed her breasts as she rode the tide of sensation. She met his tongue with her own, the mild taste of the evening’s punch swirling and then disappearing as their kiss became more heated.
Finally, he drew away, his eyes glazed with passion and his lips swollen from their kisses. “I’ll see you shortly, my lady.”
She smoothed her skirts with a shaky hand and waited as he got down from the carriage and offered his hand to her. When she stepped down, he raised her hand to his lips. “And there won’t be any conversation tonight, Jenna.”
Chapter Ten
Jenna entered the house on shaky legs. To her dismay, Quinn and Sebastian were in the drawing room as she passed. She stopped and returned to the door, knowing she wouldn’t be able to circumvent them.
Shedding her silk wrap, she walked in, trying very hard to act nonchalant, though her heart was racing.
