The cabinet rattled, and the sound of liquid hitting glass followed.
The cad is helping himself to my alcohol!Jack seethed.
“You will desist wooing Miss Hamilton at once, sir!” Lord Towne mumbled under his breath.
Ottilie covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter.
“Shhh,” Jack whispered in her ear. “Try not to move.”
They both froze as they listened to Lord Towne gulp down his drink. Seconds later, he slammed the glass onto the cabinet. Ottilie inhaled sharply. Jack slipped an arm around her waist and drew her closer.
The splashing of liquid came again as Lord Towne poured himself a second drink.Entitled fool!Jack fumed.
“I mean to have that girl for my wife. And I won’t let that rogue take my prize from me,” he grumbled.
Laughter rose in Jack’s throat. He buried his face in Ottilie’s neck. She arched her back as though offering herself up to him. The soft warmth of her skin intoxicated him, and he could no longer resist her pull. He brushed his lips against the base of her neck, and she let out an involuntary groan. Jack placed a hand over her mouth as his lips continued to work their way up her neck. She trembled as he closed his lips around her earlobe.
“I’m afraid Mr. Bastin seems to have stepped out, sir.” Mrs. Wilson’s voice pulled Jack from the haze of desire, and he lifted his head.
“Confound it! When will he return? I cannot remain sitting in his parlor all day!” Lord Towne barked.
“I’m afraid I don’t know, sir. Would you care to leave a card?”
“I will indeed leave a card and this message. Inform Mr. Bastin that I will speak with him regarding one Miss Hamilton, niece to Lady Hudsyn of Berkeley Square.”
Jack glanced at Ottilie. Her face was inches from his.She’s so lovely, so perfect, and so very different from the women I’ve known before.He inched closer and brushed his lips against hers. His body screamed for more.What those women desired, I could readily supply. No one got hurt. But this is different. Ottilie would get hurt, and so would I. When she realizes the darkness that lives inside me—the things I’ve done and still desire to do—no.He pulled back.She deserves better.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t have put you in this position.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for; I came here willingly.”
The front door closed with a bang in the distance as Lord Towne exited the house. Ottilie flinched. She peered up at Jack, gripped his arm, and drew him closer.
He closed his eyes and breathed in her sweet scent, savoring the moment and attempting to imprint her smell on his memory. She arched her neck, and her mouth sought his. Jack groaned before steeling himself and forcing his body to withdraw.
“I think it is safe for us to leave now.” He took her hand and led her out from behind the cabinet.
“Are you certain Lord Towne is gone?” Ottilie shivered as she scanned the parlor.
He nodded. “I am sorry you were forced to endure such an ordeal.” The room’s brightness sobered him and helped reinforce the clarity of his thoughts. As long as Ottilie associated herself with him, her reputation would be at risk. He smiled apologetically at her. “It seems that it would be wise for us to end this arrangement. It was foolish and selfish of me to ask so much of you.”
“You wish to call off the whole arrangement?” Ottilie’s face creased in confusion.
“I wish to free you of your obligation.” Jack strode to his desk to avoid looking at her. “I should never have asked you to risk your reputation and become my muse.”
“We had an agreement. I agreed to be your muse, and you agreed to speak at the ladies’ college.”
Jack picked up a pile of papers and shuffled them needlessly. “You needn’t worry. I will keep to my end of the agreement and come to your ladies’ college as promised if you still desire it.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Ottilie’s voice grew stiff, and a pang shot through Jack’s chest. “I will inform our headmistress. She will be thrilled.” Ottilie paused. “And you no longer need me to inspire your poem?”
“You have given me all the inspiration I need.” He plopped the papers back onto his writing desk and turned to face her. “Without you, there would be no poem.”
“I will go if that is what you wish, but I hope you are pleasing yourself and not Lord Towne. He has no claim on me.”
“I am not acting to placate Lord Towne.” He moved toward her. “I don’t want you to return because if you do, I won’t be able to guarantee your honor will stay intact.”
“My honor? Do you mean to say you’d force yourself on me?”
