“No.” She placed her glass on the small table beside the sofa before turning to look at him again. “Gentlemen like yourself have no business wanting to get to know female servants so personally. There is only one reason masters want to chum with us, and it’s only for seduction. As I told you before, I willnotallow that to happen.”
“And as I told you before,” he moved closer, sliding his arm along the back of the sofa until it touched her shoulder, “that is not my purpose. In fact, I’m getting quite annoyed that seduction is all you can think about.”
“Me?” She gasped. “I assure you, that is not what I’m thinking about at all.”
“Yet, every time we have talked, our conversations always end on this subject. Tell me why is that, especially if you never think about it as you proclaim.”
“Once again, my lord, you are putting words into my mouth.”
He dropped his focus to her lips and wished she would stop bringing his attention to that most tempting feature on her face. “Actually, I think you are trying to put ideas into my head, my lovely.”
“I am not.”
He met her heated gaze. “No? Then why are you talking to me like this? I never once mentioned seduction, and already in our short conversation, you have brought it up a few times.”
“Lord Hawthorne, not only do I wish we could cease this most improper topic, I can assure you seduction is the last thing on my mind.”
He narrowed his gaze on her and tilted his head slightly as he studied her. “You know, Miss Tabitha I believe you.”
Her eyes widened. “You do?”
“Indeed, I think I have been mistaken about you. Now I can clearly see that seduction is not what you want at all. It’s obvious that you are too frigid to be the kind of woman who is passionate.” He nodded. “Now I see why no man has claimed you for his own yet.”
She inhaled sharply and her whole body went stiff. “What?” she shrieked. “You cannot be serious.”
“Oh, I’m indeed very serious. Everything is beginning to make sense.” He gave a light laugh as he stood and walked to the liquor tray, tempted to pour himself another drink, but refrained for the moment. “You are the first woman I have come across who didn’t enjoy my attention. Now I know why.”
“That isnotwhy!” She jumped to her feet and stormed toward him.
He held up his hands in surrender. “No need to get upset. It’s all right to admit that you are not interested in men.”
“For the love of—” She muttered something under her breath incoherently. “You are the most infuriating man I’ve ever met, and you are very wrong. I am indeed interested in men.”
“Actually, you’re not.” He grinned.
Tabitha stomped her foot. “I am!”
“Forgive me for not believing, but you have shown nothing of the sort, my lovely.”
Her face turned so red he thought it would explode. She grumbled again.
He’d give anything to know her thoughts right now. Taunting her this way was quite enjoyable, and yet, it was as if he wanted to goad her into doing something that only happened in his imagination.
Shame on him because he’d never had to sink to this level with a woman before. If teasing her and seeing the fire in her eyes wasn’t so stimulating…
“You insufferable… jackanapes! If you weren’t so thick-skulled, you’d see…” She gnashed her teeth. “Augh!”
He wanted to laugh, but he worried she’d catch on to his game. “Miss Tabitha, there is no need for name-calling. I promise I shall not speak a word to anyone about this discovery.”
Stepping closer, she clutched his shoulders. “If I didn’t hate you so much, I’d… I’d…”
“You would what, my lovely?” he said almost in a whisper, hoping she’d do what he wanted her to do.
Her gaze pierced his before it wandered over his face, coming to rest on his mouth. Dryness gathered in his throat, and he didn’t dare move, especially when her angry expression slowly disappeared and was replaced with one he never imagined he would see on her.
Before he knew what was happening, she rose on tip-toes, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Stunned at first, he didn’t know how to react, but within seconds, her body pressed more closely against his and he slid his palms around her back to bring her closer. He molded his lips to hers until they softened. At that moment, she relaxed and he had to tighten her in his embrace to keep her up.
Just as he’d imagined, her lips were soft and her kiss so gentle. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss as his heartbeat knocked out a maddening rhythm against his chest. A heavy sigh tumbled from her throat, and she held onto him and met his urgent kisses.
