She flinched.Did he think ill of her?No one had ever questioned her virtue, so she’d thought nothing of being alone with him. Since Adelia was normally with Thomas, her lady’s maid had always been given a choice to sit inside or outside. Tonight, with the weather being warm, her maid had chosen to sit up top. Next to the coachman, Penny had the freedom to look around and to converse as she wished.
In the future, Adelia would instruct her maid to sit with her, despite how the girl would have to remain silent by custom.
“I trust you,” Adelia explained to him after a pause. And she did. There was something innately decent about Lord Burnley. She’d never felt the least threatened or intimidated by him, even when he was storming across the ballroom chasing or dragging some poor soul.
He chuckled at her statement. “Most ladies who instruct their maid to sit atop the coachwantme to make an overture toward them. They aren’t worrying over my trustworthiness, I assure you. They are hoping I will, in fact, compromise them and thus feel obliged to offer for them. Therefore, you see, my lady, it is I who trusts you. Normally, I insist on the chaperone sitting within the carriage so I cannot be accused of anything.”
That had never occurred to her.How manipulative her fellow females could be!
Before she could consider a response—or an excuse for the fairer sex—he said, “You look extremely beautiful tonight. The gown brings out the color of your eyes.”
His compliment brought her first blush of the evening. Adelia could feel her cheeks grow warm. Glancing down, she noticed her mantle had parted to reveal her gown. She’d worn the green silk for the very reason he mentioned, and she’d added a single diamond pendant that sparkled as it swung on the short gold chain at her throat.
Penny had suggested emerald jewelry, especially ear bobs, but Adelia had feared they would compete.
When she said nothing, he said, “I hope you enjoy the theatre tonight.”
She hadn’t been to any theatre for over a year, and this was the first time without her brother or father. A smile tugged at her lips.
“You have a lovely smile,” Lord Burnley said, “and dimples to better it.”
Indubitably, her cheeks flamed and, infused with happiness, she could do nothing but continue smiling.Or maybe, she was permitted to reciprocate.
Taking a deep breath and speaking carefully, she managed, “I like the dark plum of your waistcoat.”
His eyes widened, and she hoped she hadn’t made a mistake in commenting.
“Dear lady, I appreciate that. I have felt out of sorts lately and have not wanted to put in an effort. Tonight, for you, I did hope to look satisfactory.”
“You succeeded,” she said, causing him to smile.
Then, all at once, he sobered as his gaze caressed her from head to foot.
Wondering what had caused the change, she leaned forward, about to ask him, when unexpectedly, he also advanced, captured her face with his large, gloved hands, and kissed her.
Chapter Eight
Adelia gasped againsthis lips, but the kiss didn’t stop. Rather, Lord Burnley deepened it—if such was the right word for how their mouths fit together so perfectly when he tilted his head slightly.
She remembered to breathe through her nose. He smelled divinely of sandalwood and Pears soap. For a moment, as the new sensations coursed through her, she forgot she was in a carriage, settled on the comfy leather squabs. She might have been anywhere, even floating in the air, as nothing else seemed to exist, only his hands cradling her cheeks and his mouth kissing hers, tenderly and firmly.
Her hands remained in her lap until she suddenly realized she was reaching toward him and touching his pantlegs, specifically resting her palms upon his thighs.
An instant later, he broke away, releasing her. Only then did Adelia open her eyes, which she hadn’t realized she’d closed. Opposite her, Lord Burnley wore a look of shock and consternation.
“I apologize,” he offered at once. “Do you wish for me to turn the carriage around?”
Was she supposed to be affronted by his kiss?She wasn’t. She was thrilled. Her body still hummed with pleasure, and her lips felt oddly plump and warm.
“No.” She touched her gloved hand to her mouth while he watched.
“I don’t know what came over me,” he confessed. “It was sheer impulse. I didn’t think before I…. That is, you look so ravishing, which is no excuse, of course. And you’re very calm and inviting, and I don’t know what I’m saying.”
Unexpectedly, a giggle rose in her throat. After all, he was an experienced man, and that was her first kiss, which had been beyond any expectation. Yet,hewas the one babbling and discomfited.
Adelia had many thoughts, but one clear one—she wanted him to kiss her again. However, socially inexperienced as she was, even she knew it would be improper for her to ask. If he believed she might want to return home after such a delicious intimacy, he would think her entirely unsuitable to keep company with if she boldly requested another kiss.
After managing to stifle her desire to laugh, giddy with the delight flowing through her, she said, “I am looking forward to the evening ahead.”
