A TRYST IN THE LIBRARY
Meanwhile, inside Carlington House
Despite the dwindling number of guests in the Carlington House gardens, Anthony decided it was best he and Dahlia find a more private place in which to discuss the matter of their future.
The library had certainly worked when he had met with Lady Danielle, and now he gingerly ducked his head around the threshold to be sure it wasn’t still occupied by her and his brother.
When Anthony was assured it was empty, he pulled Dahlia into the room and through to the back. Once they were behind a row of shelves, he pulled her close, one of his arms across her back as if he feared she might attempt to escape his hold. Placing a hand along one of her cheeks, he sighed. “Please don’t scream,” he murmured.
Dahlia scoffed. “Why would I scream?” she countered. His lips were on hers only a second later, the kiss a combination of tentative moves and determined resolve. When she easily gave into his hold and began returning the kiss, he moaned and pulled away slightly.
“Because I’ve a mind to take your sister’s advice,” he whispered. His lips captured hers again, even as she seemed determined to put voice to a protest.
When he finally had to end the kiss so he might take a breath, she was quick to ask, “Whatever did Danny advise?”
Anthony chuckled, remembering how shocked he’d been at hearing Danielle’s words.
Kiss her senseless. Get her into a bed and ruin her.
“Nothing I can do this very moment with you,” he said sadly. “But I have every intention of eventually ruining you.”
Dahlia’s eyes widened. “Anthony,” she whispered in a scold.
From the way she stiffened and her eyes darted in the direction of the door, Anthony feared she was about to bolt. “I know you didn’t wish to hear a marriage proposal in the form of a business proposition, so I have decided to withdraw my proposal.”
Blinking, Dahlia’s mouth dropped open, but before she could say anything, Anthony took the opportunity to kiss her again. With her lips already parted, his tongue invaded her mouth. Swept over her teeth and across her tongue. Tangled with hers and then retreated as his lips once again claimed her mouth.
The kiss might have gone on for a few seconds or a few minutes. Dahlia lost track of time and space, her senses only aware of the scents of lime and sandalwood and the feel of his lips on hers. Of his warm breath washing over her face and the steel of his arm across her back. Of how she was barely able to breathe.
How many times had she imagined doing this with him? How many times had she imagined him squiring her about town? Standing by her side as they shopped in New Bond Street or attended the theatre? Offering his arm as they entered a Mayfair ballroom or asoirée? Sitting next to her at amusicale?
What he did next she hadn’t imagined. Or if she had, she hadn’t known what it would feel like, for when his palm slid up her side and over to cup a breast, she gasped and pulled away from his kiss.
She immediately regretted her response.
Whatever he had done had something rather pleasant racing down her body. Something rather delicious.
Dahlia reached for his hand and placed it back onto her chest. “You merely startled me is all. Please, continue.”
For a moment, Anthony’s eyes seemed glazed over, as if he couldn’t see her clearly. When they suddenly cleared, he glanced down at where she had placed his hand.
“Oh, dear. I suppose you were hoping they would be... rounder,” she whispered, exhaling a sigh of disappointment.
“What?” Anthony countered, his gaze finally meeting hers.
“My...” She once again covered his gloved hand with her own and pressed it slightly. How was it she could feel his heat through the kid leather?
“It fits in my hand perfectly,” he whispered. He lifted the hand to his mouth and pulled the glove off with his teeth, allowing the garment to fall to the carpeted floor below. Once again placing his hand over her breast, he gave it a slight squeeze.
Dahlia gasped, an “oh” escaping before she had a chance to swallow it. She had a quick thought that she might have sounded like her mother just then.
Anthony took the opportunity to undo the two frogs that held her pelisse closed and then slipped the hand beneath to fondle the breast. “See? Perfect,” he murmured. “Has anyone else ever done this to you?”
Her eyes rounding with offense and her mouth following suit, Dahlia couldn’t respond when he once again kissed her.
This time, the kiss was shorter. More punishing. Deeper and more intense. When he finally pulled his lips away, he used his thumb to circle the pebbled nipple behind her gown and stays. “Has anyone else ever done this to you?” he repeated.
Dahlia shook her head. “Of course not.”
