Good lord, the way he said her name, like a sensual purr. And the words themselves, what they implied… It was scandalous in the extreme –hewas being scandalous and… and a secret part of her deep down inside thrilled at it.
“I see I have shocked you,” he murmured. A low chuckle followed. “Sip your drink. It will help you regain your balance.”
She did as he suggested. “I am usually the one to shock others with my boldness.”
“How does it feel, having the favor returned?”
The answer crossed her lips without any thought. “Reassuring.” It was baffling, but it was the truth. “It is comforting to know what one can expect.”
“Precisely the reason why I am so partial to you.”
Unsure of what else to say, Angelica glanced at the door and…glanced at it again. A dark shadow was there, just beyond the light, and the chill that had gripped her earlier hooked its claws into her shoulders.
She gasped. “I think someone’s watching.”
“Where?”
She looked back at him and pointed. “Right there.”
“I don’t see anyone.” He crossed to the door and opened it wide, but before he reached it Angelica saw that the shadow was gone. “It was probably just a servant or one of the other guests passing by.”
“Yes,” she whispered, because to suggest anything else would only urge him to cart her off to Bedlam instead of to the altar. “You’re probably right.” She forced a smile and set her glass aside. Perhaps she was merely tired and it had been a trick of the light. “It is getting late. I should go upstairs if I am to get ready in time for dinner.”
“By all means.” He placed his glass on the fireplace mantle and reached for her hand. “It has been a true pleasure.” Holding her gaze, he raised her hand to his lips.
Her stomach did a funny flip, and her skin turned all jittery. “Likewise,” she managed, thankfully getting the word out without it sounding too strangled. Taking a deep breath, she turned and made her way to the door on slightly wobbly legs.
“Angelica?” He halted her right before she managed to slip out of the room.
Her heart knocked against her ribs as she glanced over her shoulder. “Yes?”
Dark eyes met hers. “How did you like the kiss?”
She considered something proper like, “it was pleasant” or, “very much.” But she knew he liked her for her boldness and her unvarnished honesty, and if there was ever a time for both, this was it.
So she drew back her shoulders, met his gaze dead on, and smiled. “It was spectacular, my lord.”
“Randolph.” There was something hot and needy in the way he said it. “I want you to call me Randolph.”
“Very well.” Her fingers curled around the edge of the door, latching on in an effort to hold herself steady. And then she tested the name. “Randolph.” His eyes lit up, egging her on. “I hope we have a chance to do it again.”
“That can certainly be arranged.”
And because she sensed he was on the verge of stalking toward her, shutting the door, and ravaging her right there where she stood, she departed before he had the chance to do something quite so damning.
Chapter 4
Dinner that evening was a wonderful affair. Angelica could scarcely believe her eyes when she received her first plate, filled with smoked trout, neatly arranged on a bed of lettuce with dill and a twisted slice of lemon on top. She stared at the dish, then glanced toward Lord Sterling.Randolph.He listened to Lady Seraphina – or at least pretended to, for his eyes clearly rested on Angelica and the secretive smile brushing his lips was directed at her.
“How wonderful,” Rose remarked. “I love smoked trout and I dare say it’s one of your favorite dishes as well, Angelica.”
“It certainly is,” Angelica said. Her cheeks burned, but that didn’t stop her from returning Randolph’s smile. Efforts like this, she decided, had to be rewarded, no matter what.
And not just the trout was perfect. Next came oven roasted duck, accompanied by baked apples and prunes, sugar glazed potatoes and sautéed red cabbage. Angelica kept her gaze fixed on her plate this time, for she feared all the other guests would somehow see the truth in her expression the moment she looked up. Randolph was openly favoring her – courting her with grand gestures in front of the other young ladies hoping to win his attention.
It felt underhanded somehow and yet…
Good lord, the food tasted good!
