“Adrian, I think you know what I mean.”
He chuckled softly. “I do, but... this is so enjoyable. Don’t you agree?”
She agreed whole-heartedly, however she wasn’t sure she wanted him to know that. “As enjoyable as you think this may be,” she couldn’t stop from kissing him back, “I think we should stop.”
“Yes, we should.”
As she waited for him to stop, she continued to meet his slow and brief kisses. But soon, the mood shifted and the kisses grew urgent. His hands moved over her back, stroking her and bringing more excitement into her body. He tilted his head and deepened the kiss again. This time, the passion between them climbed higher and higher. She threw her arms around his neck, not wanting this moment to end as she copied the way he kissed, doing the same things to his mouth.
“William Dorsey? Are you in here?” An older woman’s voice rang through the empty kitchen.
Adrian’s body stilled. Lyndsey hitched a breath. And just like that, their passionate mood was shattered.
Lyndsey was breathing so hard, she could hardly catch her breath. His lips moved to her ear, and the warmth from his mouth made her shiver.
“Shhh...” he whispered. “She must not find us in here.”
Who was this woman? Could she be the reason Adrian was in such a hurry to hide?
“William? Answer me. I know you came this way.”
A few earth-trembling seconds crept by before the older lady’s footsteps clicked on the kitchen floor, moving past the pantry and walking out of the kitchen further into the house.
Neither of them said a word. Lyndsey tried to listen if the other woman might still be in the kitchen, but all that could be heard were her own quick breaths blending with Adrian’s.
He blew out a big breath as his body relaxed. “I wonder why she thought Lord William was in here?”
“Yes. That’s very curious, indeed.”
He turned away from her, and she rested against the shelves. Her heart still raced from the steamy kisses, but now that she could think more clearly, she berated herself for allowing it to happen. She knew better than to kiss a man she’d just met, especially in a dark pantry closet. Guilt filled her and she wished this moment had never happened. How could she not think back on this time and not consider herself any better than a strumpet?
Slowly, Adrian opened the door and peeked into the kitchen. He motioned with his hand for her to follow, which she did on shaky legs. They tiptoed to the back door. He opened it and peeked outside and, once more, motioned for her to follow.
Once they were outside, he quietly closed the door and took her hand, leading her away from the manor toward the stables. The full moon gave enough light to see where they were headed. They only stopped once they had rounded the corner of the stables, which blocked them from anyone’s view.
Adrian let out a sigh of relief, bending over and resting his palms on his knees. A second later, he started laughing. Lyndsey scowled. What was wrong with this man, anyway? Had he lost his mind? How could he think that this was the time to laugh? Especially, when she felt like finding a deep hole and burying herself in it?
Straightening, Adrian met her stare. “Forgive me, Lyndsey, but the intensity of the moment had built up inside me, and I had to laugh in order to let it out.”
She folded her arms. It was difficult not to blame him for this mess, even though she hadn’t tried to stop him. “Will you now tell me what that was all about?”
He nodded and raked his fingers through his hair. “That older woman you heard was Aunt Beatrice. She’s slowly losing her mind. I don’t believe she was really searching for Lord William, because she knows he’s away on business.”
“Then why would she call his name?”
“I believe she was looking for me. She saw me leaving the party and she tried to get my attention.”
“And why did you not want to visit with your aunt?”
“That woman can talk one’s ears off and not give you a chance to speak at all. She’s very domineering, and tries to control everyone around her. I pray she never becomes chummy with you, my sweet Lyndsey. She’ll follow you around like a lost puppy, and she’ll want to tell you what to do and how to live, and especially, how to act.”
“That was why you were running and hiding?”
“Exactly.”
Lyndsey tapped her fingers on her arm. “Now will you kindly explain why you felt the need to...” she swallowed hard, “kiss me.”
His humorous expression was replaced with one of desire as he moved closer to her. She held her breath, hoping he wasn’t going to kiss her again. She feared she wouldn’t be able to stop him, even if her conscience told her Adrian Dorsey was nothing but a scoundrel who used women for his own enjoyment.
