He opened his mouth, prepared to argue, only to close it once more as the idea sank in.There was no denying the wisdom in it.Edward could certainly be trusted, but could they convince him to help?“He’s a stickler for law and order.When I met him last night he urged me to leave the killer to Bow Street.I’m not sure we can get him to help.”
“Will you let me try?”
“Certainly, but we’ll need an alternative if he refuses.”Honestly, he could not believe he was saying this.It sounded ludicrous to his own ears.And yet, he still told her, “I’ll give it some thought.”
She nodded.“The Clearview ball is on Friday.It would be good if we could be ready by then.”
“If you’re free tomorrow afternoon, I’ll make arrangements for you and Marsdale to meet.”
“Thank you.”Happy the conversation had come to an end, Adrian turned with every intention of heading back to the carriage, but her hand caught his arm and kept him rooted.“Whatever happens between him and me, it won’t be real.Not like it is with you.”
No sooner had she spoken than he hauled her against him and pressed his mouth to hers.She gasped, lips parting, allowing him to deepen the kiss – to claim that part of her for himself.
Whatever they’d shared in the carriage, this was rougher, more elemental, a dark reminder of what he wanted and what he would give in return.It ought to have scared an innocent woman like her, and perhaps it did, though only for a brief second.
After that…
She matched him every step of the way, pressing her body to his, hands roaming and gripping, exploring every spot she could reach.And the taste of her – the soft little sighs of pleasure that spilled from her lips when he touched her in just the right way – drove him wild.
It pushed him straight to the brink of madness.For even though his most burning desire right now was to lay her down amidst the flowers, his heart, that part of him that had felt like a charred piece of coal for most of his life, resisted.
The resulting effort caused him to growl in frustration.He grabbed her wrists and stilled her movements, then pushed her back gently.“We should stop, before I forget myself completely.”
“I…” She brought her fingertips to her lips and suddenly blinked.“Good lord.Whatever must you think of me?”
“That you’ve the same inclination as I to get carried away.”He offered his arm.“Come.Let’s return to the carriage and get you home.We’ve much to do if we’re to be ready for Friday’s ball.”
* * *
A smoldering heat still singed Samantha’s skin when Adrian dropped her off.The pleasure she’d found in the kisses they’d shared was something else entirely.Unexpected was one way of putting it.Life-altering, enlightening, and altogether astounding also worked.
Standing on the front steps of Clearview House, she watched him drive away while doing her best to convince herself it was merely a means to an end.And yet, there was no denying he’d made her insensible.Even now, she longed for additional kisses and in that field…
Heaven’s, she’d have let him do whatever he wished– would likely have begged him for more – had he not ended things.
Unacceptable.
Cursing herself, she spun on her heels and continued inside, only to find Harlowe leaning against the stairs, his elbow on the newel post.“How did it go?”
Schooling her features as best as she could, she forced herself to meet his gaze directly.“I managed to make some progress.”
“Oh?”Harlowe pushed himself upright and gave her a studious look.“How so?”
She wouldn’t lie.He’d see straight through that.“Croft kissed me.”
Harlowe’s expression remained unchanged.It was impossible to tell what he might be thinking.“Did you welcome it?”
Yes.
“In light of what we hope to achieve, I thought it unwise to push him away.”
“Naturally.”His sharp gaze lingered on hers.“Anything else?”
“He made his interest in taking me to his bed abundantly clear.”
A slow smile materialized.“And did you accept?”
“I told him I’d think it through.”
