Miranda felt the hollow ache of disappointment. While she had received precisely two kisses in her life, being kissed by a dashing rake would be an excellent experience, and what could be safer than receiving said kiss in her own home?
“Please, then, tell me precisely how this is done,” she begged, “but hold on a moment.” Rummaging in the pocket hanging off her apron, she withdrew a square of paper and a pencil. She’d nearly forgotten she was wearing the unflattering garment while helping tidy her father’s office. Still, even in disarray as she was, this raffish man might kiss her!
Currently, however, he was gaping at her writing implements.
“Whatever are they for?”
“For the story, of course.” She cocked her head.Had he been listening?“I thought I explained that.”
He shook his head. “You are well-educated, too much for your position in life. It’s almost a shame.”
Miranda couldn’t help chuckling. “I am perfectly normal in all regards. I simply wish to entertain my country cousin and her brother with an amusing tale.”
“At my expense,” he grumbled.
“Only because you are here and seem to be full of interesting things to tell me. Why, there have been at least five already.”
He took another step closer.
“What are you doing now?” she asked.
“Youdolook immensely kissable.”
A tremor of warmth shot through her. “Like Miss Waltham at the house party?”
Lord Mercer shook his head. “Quite the contrary. She looked like shewantedto be kissed. Since I was on hand, I obliged, not realizing she might be waiting for another who would do far more than that.”
Far more?Miranda swallowed, thinking she would like to hear about that as well, but another time. Both his unfamiliar closeness and the look in his dark-brown eyes quite mesmerized her.
“Are you saying I donotlook like I want to be kissed?”
“I am saying that with your sweet lips and big eyes, even with that silly piece of paper awaiting your scribblings, you appear exceptionally kissable.”
Then he paused. “Doyou, in fact, wish to be kissed?”
She took in a quick breath. “I confess I hadn’t thought too much about it, but now I must say I am pleased by the prospect.”
“You are an odd fish for a housemaid.”
A housemaid?She nearly laughed, belatedly realizing his misinterpretation of the situation.And who could blame him?After all, he hadn’t found her seated in the parlor working on her needlepoint.
Before she could explain, his next step brought him within touching distance. His fine wool trousers got lost in the draping of her apron and her cotton dress. The inner warmth became delicious heat, making her feel flushed to the core. Hewasgoing to kiss her!
Slowly, Lord Mercer wrapped a hand around each of her upper arms and drew her against him until her breasts were crushed against his fitted jacket.
“How thrilling!” she proclaimed before closing her eyes. All the better for her other senses to take in these new sensations. She could smell a manly scent of sandalwood and lime, different from her father, who always had the aroma of tobacco clinging to him.
Where the baron’s hands gripped her, she tingled beneath his fingers, and she would swear she could feel his heat like a brand upon her skin, despite his gloves.
After what seemed an eternity, long enough she nearly opened her eyes, finally his mouth touched hers.
What a zesty treat!
Miranda knew the instant it became more than an amusing experience to tell Helen, her cousin with whom she was closest in all the world. When Lord Mercer tilted his head, the kiss became her first “real” kiss. Her insides sizzled, and she would vow there was a direct path from his lips to her nipples and down to the juncture between her thighs where she now throbbed.
Feeling his teeth graze her lower lip, she moaned.
“What in blue blazes?”
