Page 78 of Tempting Her Viscount

Kit winced, and looked around the room wondering how he might get out of this. Had he thought himself a good friend? Obviously, he was not as good as he’d thought. Giving up with a heavy sigh, he turned back to her.

“You’ll want to be assertive, but not too much. You don’t want to be forceful. Perhaps act as if you’ll die if you can’t have him, but don’t seem desperate.”

“You do realize you’ve not said one thing without contradicting it in the following sentence?” she pointed out with her brows up and her hands on her hips.

“It’s a subtle action, but also firm. You want him to know you want him without having to say it aloud.”

“Again. You are making no sense. You say one thing and then the opposite.”

“Exactly. I think you have it now. I must go. Willa will be waiting for me.”

He spun on his heel and rushed from the house, leaving her staring after him. It was one thing for them to go their own ways and find other people, but quite another for her to expect him to aid her seduction of another man.

He couldn’t do it. If it made him dishonorable to go back on his agreement with her, then so be it. It couldn’t be helped. Even the thought of another man touching her made him want to go into a rage.

But he needed to respect her wishes. She wanted excitement and pleasure not marriage or children. They were not suited.

Except for the way her nearness heated his blood and his constant desire to be with her.

Shaking his head, he went to prepare for another drive with Willa—someone who did want the same things he wanted. If only he could get his heart onboard. It wasn’t fair to her and whatever relationship they may have going forward, to harbor an attraction for Celia. He would need to stay away from Celia.

Which meant he couldn’t go to Penbrook House for breakfast. He would no longer wait for Celia before entering a ball or soiree. She would have to win Rathmore on her own.

*

Following Kit’s vagueand unhelpful instructions, Celia selected her most provocative gown and left for the Raybold ball. She waited outside the house until she heard music inside and determined Kit was not coming.

Once inside she saw she was wrong. Kit was there and was already conversing with Willa and her brother. He looked up and then quickly turned away. Her throat tightened with angry tears she refused to give purchase.

Kit had abandoned her. After she’d seen to her end of their arrangement, he was defaulting on his duties to help her find a lover.

Very well, she didn’t need him.

She searched the room for her prey, but it was he who approached her.

“You appear to be looking for someone. Perhaps, I might be of assistance,” Lord Rathmore said.

She smiled. “Yes, that would be most helpful as you are a good bit taller than I and can see more of the room.”

His smile dropped away slightly until she laughed. “Minx,” he muttered close to her ear. “It matters not who you might be searching for, for I have found you and do not intend to let you escape.”

“I must be honest and say, I have no plans to escape. In fact,” she whispered. “I might run, but I hope you will give chase.”

His eyes narrowed in confusion. She felt her cheeks heat. He hadn’t understood her jest. Rather than let it go, she tried again.

“That is to say when I leave here tonight, perhaps you will be leaving at the same time.”

“I believe we generally depart at the same time; when the event concludes.”

“You are correct. But perhaps tonight you won’t retire to your home but will instead travel on to another location.”

“What location?” he asked, looking more perplexed than seduced.

“Forgive me, I see someone I must speak with,” she said and rushed away toward Lady Elderidge. She would appreciate a bit of laughter at the moment.

With the woman’s help, Celia managed to escape the ball after the second dance without having to face Rathmore again.

She collapsed into bed, exhausted, with tears streaking down her face. It wasn’t her disappointment with Lord Rathmore that had her so upset. It was Kit’s abandonment that had broken her spirits.

She wiped the tears away and vowed to do better the next night.