What was he doing?Rupert asked himself. For there could be no doubt this was a compromising situation, and he was leading them both into it.Willingly!
He couldn’t deny Lady Delia had got under his skin ... and into his heart. It had been a short time, but he would like to discover if she felt something similar. When she chose to partner with Devenport the prior evening, he’d grown doubtful. Perhaps she felt nothing more for him than she did for any of the other gentlemen at the party.
As soon as they were alone, he drew her into his arms.
“I wish we had met in London.”
“Why?” she asked, her chestnut-brown gaze locked on his.
“We would have saved ourselves this wretched fortnight, trapped with these godawful people, being part of Lady Osbourne’s matchmaking schemes.”
Lady Delia laughed—a warm, delightful sound. It made his heart feel light, even as his body ached for her.
“On the other hand,” she pointed out, “Lady Osbourne has proven to be a good matchmaker, after all.”
Rupert cradled her face in his hands and dropped a light kiss on her temple. “I don’t believe she’s had anything to do with us.”
“Us?” she repeated softly, while he nibbled his way to her earlobe, then along her cheekbone. When she tilted her face, he nearly claimed her mouth. Instead, he traced a line along her chin and down the column of her neck. Gracefully, she arched to give him better access.
A long, slow kiss was in order if she had any doubt there was an “us.”
Lacing her fingers behind his neck, she sighed, melting against his body.
“I feel...,” but she trailed off.
“As do I,” he said.
Claiming her mouth beneath his, he felt a spark of heat jolt through him. When he touched her lips with his tongue, she parted them for his thorough exploration. It was the single most satisfying kiss of his life.
Simply two lips against two lips, but Lady Delia made it perfect.
When minutes had gone by, Rupert raised his head, watching as her eyes fluttered open.
“I thought you were in love with Lady Lillian,” were her surprising first words.
“God no! I was attracted to her weeks ago as to a thoroughbred, I suppose, but nothing more. Honestly, I don’t think she is a particularly kind or interesting person.”
Delia angled a smile at him. “What type of horse am I?”
“I bet there is a plant named for horses.”
“Yes,” she said, “horsetail and mares-tail. Some say they are weeds.”
“As a wise lady once told me, who determines what is a weed?”
She laughed. “Very good, my lord. But they can take over one’s cultivated garden.”
He paused. “Then you are a weed, my lady, for you have taken over my heart.”
Watching her sink her teeth into her lower lip and shake her head, he was captivated.
“Tell me,” he ordered. “What are you thinking?”
“Only that I can scarcely believe my sentiments toward you are returned. And I am very glad of it.”
Rupert was equally gratified — and relieved — to know his love was requited.
“I believe you are correct about Lady Osbourne after all,” he said as they walked back along the river. “She said she hadsomeone in mind for me, then invited Lady Lillian to make certain I saw the difference between the two of you.”
