“He is your friend, is he not?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I approve of everything he does.” Robert had the uncomfortable recollection that he had found his friend’s womanizing amusing once. No sense in telling Kate that, however.
He strolled over to the drinks table and picked up a decanter. “Do you care for a sherry?”
“No, thank you.”
Robert dropped his hand and went to sit on the sofa. He watched her agitated walk around the room, her skirts swaying gracefully around her. “Come here, Kate.”
She remained where she was.
“Please?”
“If you wish.” She crossed the room to stand before him.
He took her hand, turning it over in his large one, marveling at her delicate fingers. He thought of the carvings he’d seen on her mantel. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
“Are you?” She pulled her hand away, her voice doubtful.
He patted the sofa cushion beside him. “We need to learn more about one another, don’t you agree?”
When she hesitated, he seized her by the waist and tumbled her onto his lap.
“The servants might come in.” Kate struggled to rise, but he held her fast within his arms.
“No, they won’t.”
Her breath increased. “How can you be sure?”
“They wouldn’t dare. I told them we wished to be alone.”
Her green eyes widened. “Why do such a thing? There will be gossip in the servants’ quarters.”
“Servants love to talk. Why must we deny them something to talk about?” His hands roamed from her tiny waist to her bodice and full breasts, enjoying her soft curves. She was unlike the willowy women he was used to. Her derriere was plump and delightful against his hardening erection. Should he stop? He struggled with his conscience, and his conscience lost.
He slid his hands up her smooth thigh, wishing to bare her body to his gaze and to kiss every inch of her.
“Robert, should you…”
“Yes. I intend to make love to you.”
She squirmed and gasped. Her full lips open and inviting.
“Now? Here?”
“Why not now and here?” he asked, forced to remove his hand when she leapt up. He drew her down again. “Don’t you want me to touch you?”
“But this is not the place.” Kate’s eyes widened, her small pink tongue licked her bottom lip, sending a bolt of fire straight to his groin. She gave a shy smile. “A kiss perhaps.”
He found himself trembling as if it was the first time for him, too. He framed her face with his hands and covered her mouth with his. With an indrawn breath, he deepened the kiss. Kate moaned. Her hands threaded through his hair at the nape of his neck. Good lord, he’d started something now. How he wanted this luscious and delicate woman.
She drew away with a deep shuddering breath. “The bedchamber at night would surely be the….”
Robert began to undo the fastenings on her bodice. “I find myself unable to wait.”
“Unable? But you said…”
He managed the last without mishap and tucked his hand inside her shift, meeting soft warm flesh. He kissed her ear. “Can’t a man change his mind?” he whispered, kissing his way down her sweet neck.
