He met her gaze again. “I suppose I’m afraid. After all, look at my parents’ example.”
Her smile gradually returned. “Collin, I’m sure you already know this, but we are not our parents, and we never will become them. I have seen my parents’ mistakes, and I vow I will never make them. When I marry, it will not be to someone who is a gambler and likes to drink until he is sloshed. I want to marry a man who wants to take care of his family. I want to find a husband who puts me before his vices.”
Collin wasn’t sure if it was their talk of marriage or if it was because they were alone—or if it was because he was half-naked—but his heart grew more the longer they were together, and right now, all he wanted to do was hold her and kiss her endlessly. It pleased him that she shared his ideas of how a marriage was supposed to be, and he couldn’t stop the images of what it might be like being her husband running through his head.
Leaning closer, he cupped her face with both hands as he watched her heart-shaped mouth. “My sweet Cass. Do you know how adorable you are?”
“Nobody has told me that before,” she whispered.
“Then I shall never cease saying it.”
He bent his head and brushed his lips across her mouth. She clutched his shoulders and closed her eyes. He gave her an open-mouthed kiss, which elicited a heavy rattle from her throat. How could he control his urges when she responded so well to his kiss and his touch?
Although he didn’t consider himself a true gentleman, nor did he want to take advantage of her. He respected her, which meant he must control his yearning.
Hesitantly, she slid her palms down to his chest. Feeling her soft caress nearly had his heart jumping out of his body inexcitement. A few times, he was certain he had died and gone to heaven.
Collin gathered her fully against him and deepened the kiss, which quickly turned passionate. This time was completely different than before, and he was sure it had something to do with their knowing they would not get caught. Still, her family would return soon, he was sure, which meant he couldn’t let their passion spiral out of control.
He caressed her hair, but soon, that wasn’t enough. He slid his hand to her neck and stroked the skin down to her collarbone. It wasn’t difficult to push the gown’s sleeve off her shoulder. She had the smoothest skin.
Collin broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her throat. She tilted her head back, giving him better access, which he took full advantage of as he placed kisses along her shoulder. Her moans of pleasure encouraged him to go a step further, and he tried to lower the gown a little more.
Suddenly, the clock in the hall chimed the one o’clock hour, jerking Collin out of the passionate moment. Was it really that late already? The masked ball would be winding down and guests would be going home soon, which meant…
He broke the kiss, but cupped her face until her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him.
“Forgive me for stopping, but”—he paused, trying to catch his breath—“do your parents know you left the ball?”
Cassandra’s eyes widened and she gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. “No, I didn’t tell them.”
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips before standing. “As much as I hate to leave, I will ride back to the party and let your parents know.”
Shaking her head, she stood and grasped his hand. “They will ask you how you know I left.”
He stroked her cheek. “I’ll make up some believable story. I assure you, they won’t doubt my word.”
She sighed and smiled. “Then I shall let you leave.”
He rushed to the fireplace and collected his clothes. She moved into the kitchen while he dressed. Once his boots were on, he stepped into the room and took her back into his arms.
“Don’t forget, we will see each other later this evening.” He kissed her briefly on the mouth.
“I’ll be counting the minutes,” she answered, breathless.
Dare he admit aloud that he would be counting the seconds, too?
Chapter Twelve
Standing in themiddle of a flock of chickens, Cassandra stared at the cloudy sky as her mind replayed every minute of her time with Collin last night. Feeding the chickens wasn’t important right now. Daydreaming about the man she was falling in love with overrode everything.
Thankfully, he had somehow smoothed things over with her parents for leaving the ball without telling them. She suspected Collin had mentioned Lord Wheatly’s name, because her father apologized to her for trying to hook her up with the drunken lout. She couldn’t wait to see Collin again to find out what story he told her parents. Because Lord Hanover was the one to say something to her father, her parent would believe it and be honored that an earl had confronted him in the first place.
The few hours spent with that amazing man had made her realize how quickly she was falling in love with him. She hoped he felt the same. All they had shared—andhowthey shared it—made her realize he would make the perfect husband. As long as she could convince him, of course.
And he was going to meet her someplace today.
Her heart flipped with excitement as she smiled wider. She had to keep telling herself this fact, because she wouldn’t believe it otherwise. However, as much as she knew he held her heart, she still must follow the original plan. If she couldn’t trap Collininto marriage, her parents would find a different lord to play the part. She couldn’t let that happen.
