Lost in the depth of her golden eyes, he was only able to nod.
She blinked. Her lips parted as if she meant to say something more, but whatever was on her mind must have flittered away, leaving her standing there much as he, utterly still and very aware.
Slowly, lest he startle her into motion and ruin the moment, he raised his palm to her cheek. Her eyes fluttered shut and a sigh, so wrought with longing he knew he risked losing control, swept past her lips to tickle his wrist, right where the edge of his glove ended.
Randolph’s chest tightened. “Angelica.” He loved her name, loved the way it felt on his tongue as he spoke it and how it seemed to remind him of all that was good and right with the world.
One quick glance in Miss Harlow’s direction, just to be sure there was no risk of being discovered, and then he kissed her, stealing her breath and inhaling her scent, reveling in the small moan of pleasure she made in her throat. God, how he wanted and Christ, how he needed. After more than two years of him not touching a woman, Angelica was warm and willing and utterly delicious.
Her one hand was still onNorthanger Abbey, but the other… The other clutched at his arm, holding on fast as he moved in closer, sandwiching her between him and the bookcase until he could feel the entire length of her body pressing against him in just the right places.
He nipped her lower lip with his teeth, urging her to open for him and delighting in the taste of her the moment she did. Lord, he could kiss her for hours, days, months, years. Hell, he could kiss her forever without getting tired.
“Angelica, you really must come and see what I’ve found.”
It was Miss Harlow. Her voice, louder than necessary, forced Randolph to take a step back. “You should join her.”
“Yes.” She blinked in rapid succession.
He smiled, dropped his hand, and forced himself to step aside. “I’m sure she called you for a good reason.”
“Yes,” she repeated as if slightly dazed.
How could he not feel ten feet tall when she reacted to him with such innocent wonder? A comforting warmth unfurled right over his heart. “You should go.”
As if recalling herself, she snatched the volumes ofNorthanger Abbeyfrom the shelf and hastened toward the front of the shop, arriving there right before her mother came through the door. “I bought some lovely pieces of lace,” Lady Bloomfield said. She paused and Randolph imagined her looking around. “Where’s Lord Sterling?”
“At the back somewhere,” Miss Harlow informed her. “I’m sure he’ll join us once he’s ready.”
Randolph smiled to himself. He’d known he could count on her helping him out. Grabbing the book he’d come to purchase – a new account of Egyptian relics – he approached the ladies with what he hoped looked like an amicable smile.
The last thing he wished was for Lady Bloomfield to notice the desperate desire he felt for her daughter or to suspect they’d just been kissing. Not because he minded the repercussions. He meant to marry Angelica; his mind was firmly made up. But he sensed she needed more time to adjust, time to understand what was happening between them, and time to realize that he could fulfill her every need and make her gloriously happy. She would not appreciate being forced into something she wasn’t yet sure of.
“I hope you like strawberry tarts,” he said once they’d finished making their purchases. “The teashop I mentioned serves the best I’ve ever tasted.”
“I gather you have a sweet tooth, my lord?” The question was posed by Lady Bloomfield.
Randolph discreetly brushed his fingers against Angelica’s, grabbing them only briefly before releasing them once again and adding distance. “There are some confections I cannot resist.”
Angelica’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red. She gave him a chastising look, but all he could do was grin. He was enjoying himself far too much and considering the kiss they’d just shared, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to manage a serious demeanor even if his life depended on it.
* * *
“What will you do?” Lucy asked Angelica the following afternoon. They’d been divided into groups of four—she was with Lucy and both their mothers— and were presently on their way to the music room in search of their next clue. While Angelica did not like Mrs. Essex, she had to give her credit for creating a well-planned treasure hunt. The riddles required a great deal of thought to solve them.
“About what?” Angelica and Lucy trailed behind, allowing their mothers to hurry ahead like eager young girls. It was quite entertaining to watch, and it allowed Angelica and Lucy to speak more privately with each other.
“Lord Sterling, of course. He will ask you to stay and then he will ask you to be his wife. Have you decided on your answer yet?”
Angelica sighed. She gave her friend a tentative look. “I’m not certain. On one hand, I must marry him for my mother’s sake, but on the other I do not wish to remain here one day longer than necessary.”
“I don’t know why you dislike this house so much. Most women would be honored to call it their home. But whatever your reason may be, does it really matter where you live as long as you’re gettinghim? Is he not worth sacrificing your taste in a home?”
Angelica gave her a deadpan stare. “I’m not in love with him, Lucy. It’s a bit too soon to be speaking of sacrifices and such.”
“Are you sure? That look in your eyes yesterday when we left the bookshop—”
Angelica cleared her throat. They’d entered the music room and the last thing she wanted was for her mother to be provided with additional reasons for getting Angelica to the altar. At least not until she’d made up her mind about what she wanted for herself and figured out her options. If there was even more than one to consider.
