After a second, Beatrice admitted, “Occasionally.”
He liked the fact she would confess to such a sinfully frivolous indulgence. He couldn’t imagine Lady Emily saying she’d read a penny-dreadful, even if she had.
He also couldn’t imagine Lady Emily allowing him to take liberties with her person in the way he had with Beatrice, and that shamed him into silence.
Chapter Nineteen
Beatrice knew she oughtto be embarrassed or even ashamed at letting herself be kissed, not once but twice. And yet, she wasn’t. She had thoroughly enjoyed both kisses. Moreover, they’d harmed no one in the process although if they’d been caught, it would have been an entirely different story.
Imagine if her mother had demanded Greer marry her and ruin all his plans! Beatrice wouldn’t have cooperated, but it would have ended their friendship. It was a good thing Felicity Rare-Foure was in France.
In any case, Beatrice didn’t feel as though he were playing with her. He seemed as compelled to kiss her as she’d been to accept his inappropriate attentions. If he had tried to do more while they were secluded, she would have known him for a rogue, but he had hardly touched her except for his warm hands on her head.
The touch of his hands alone had caused her stomach to twinge with excitement. And the feel of his mouth upon hers ... that made all her insides heat up and become like melted butter.
She hoped her hair wasn’t in disarray. On the pretense of glancing in the next store window, Beatrice took in her reflection. Her hat was a little crooked, but her cloak hid any crumpled clothing.Would the maid notice? Or Charlotte?
“It’s merely a fifteen-minute stroll,” she said suddenly, hoping he didn’t think her odd for walking when everyone was mad for cabs. “Not too far from Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Have you visited it?”
“No. I’ve certainly heard of it. It has as a gruesome room, I understand.”
“Indeed, the Chamber of Horrors. It’s not for the faint of heart, unless you keep reminding yourself it is wax after all. On the other hand, since the so-called dungeon does represent actual events, when you look at such realistic figures enduring the French Revolution, it gives one gooseflesh. There are also wonderful likenesses upstairs, like George IV, in his magnificent coronation robes, and the queen herself, bless her, along with the late prince consort.”
“I would like to see it,” he said. “Will you go with me? My treat.”
She hesitated, not because it was a shilling and sixpence for entrance into the whole museum, but because it seemed the type of thing he should do with his new lady friend.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That you should take Lady Emily.”
He went quiet for a few moments. At last, he asked, “Do you think it a particularly romantic place?”
Beatrice laughed. “Hardly that.”
“Then I see no reason we could not go as friends. Lady Emily might not find it to her liking, and I would prefer to go with you.”
