“I hate to test fate.”
She laughed. “That’s exactly what I wish to do. By the way, are you my suitor again?”
“I have been a mulish arse. If you’ll have me, then yes, I would very much like to court you again.”
The door opened behind her, and she nearly fell on her rear end. Luckily, her father caught and steadied her.
“Good evening, Bri, Lord Hewitt. How was the play?” he asked.
“It was splendid. Even better, Lord Hewitt is now my beau.”
She noticed Vincent took another step back, which made her chuckle. Her father was the least hostile man she knew. On the other hand, now that she thought about it, the Earl Diamond was ready to protect his family, particularly his daughters, from any and all threats. She simply had to remind him that Vincent was not a threat.
“We saw Mr. and Mrs. Castern at the theater,” she told him.
“Your daughter stood up and told the entire audience that Castern is a fraud.”
“That’s my girl,” Lord Diamond said. “I’ll see you inside in a minute. Nice to see you again, Hewitt. We’ll discuss the terms of the nuptials soon.”
Then he disappeared back inside before Brilliance could even remark upon his hastiness. But when she looked up at Vincent, to her surprise, he didn’t seem overly concerned at being rushed into a marriage agreement by an earl.
All but given permission from her father, she crooked her gloved finger, and Vincent stepped close again. Brilliance wrapped her hands behind his neck and held on when he kissed her a second time.
As his hands roamed across her body, she shivered.
“You’re cold. What an idiot I am. The nights are growing frosty.”
“That’s not why I’m shivering. In fact, I’m perfectly warm in your embrace.”
“Your father only gave us a minute.”
“We’ve wasted half of it. Kiss me,” she ordered.
And he did, a perfect, slow, toe-curling kiss that probably lasted longer than a minute. Brilliance’s breasts were aching halfway through, wishing he could touch them, feeling that if he would only caress her nipple, that she would be in ecstasy.
And then it was over, leaving her light-headed with her body in a state of frustration and a persistent throbbing between her legs.
She hoped soon he would ask her to marry him as her father suggested.
“Good night, Lord Hewitt.”
“Good night, Lady Brilliance.”
And she went inside.
Brilliance spent thefollowing morning writing letters, not only to the Duke of Monmouth, but to other noblemen who were friends of her family. It occurred to her that with court trials taking an exceedingly long time even to begin, that she could assist Vincent in spreading the word of Ambrose Castern’s nefarious actions.
Then, expecting a visit from Vincent or at least his calling card being dropped off, when Mr. Dunley presented a card on his salver, she turned it over ... and gasped.
“Is he here?”
“Yes, my lady, awaiting an audience.”
“Is my father home?”
“No, my lady.”
“My mother?”
