Page 78 of His Improper Lady

But none of them were in the least aloof, and before supper even began, Desiree found herself not only adding all the women to the invitation to visit her studio but also agreeing to go shopping with Kyria and Sabrina, book hunting with Olivia and Lilah, and to attend a new exhibition at the British Museum with Thisbe.

As they talked, the men drifted away to form another group surrounding Wells. Desiree glanced over at him from time to time, but Wells was laughing with the others, so she decided he didn’t need rescuing. It was a good thing, for the duchess soon pulled Desiree away to introduce her to a number of other women who were sitting with Aunt Wilhemina and her daughter Susan. They all appeared to be aunts and cousins of varying degrees.

The groups ebbed and flowed throughout the evening, breaking up and re-forming, filled with conversation ranging from the latest gossip to Mesopotamia to something called the Arrhenius equation. It was during this latter conversation that someone touched her arm and said, “Excuse me, could I steal Miss Malone from you for a moment?”

“Tom!” Desiree turned to him in relief and nodded to the others, so deep in their conversation that they barely glanced over when she left. Desiree took Tom’s arm, whispering as they walked away, “Oh, thank you! They were talking about acids and bases and constants, and I hadn’t the slightest idea what they were saying.”

Tom chuckled. “That’s often the case with Thisbe and Desmond.”

“I haven’t seen you except across the room this evening,” Desiree said. “Even at supper, you were far away.”

“At least you were between Rafe and Stephen. I got stuck with Aunt Verity and her daughter-in-law, who have the distinction of being the only boring Morelands you can find...well, except for Cousin Albert.”

“I kept hoping you would join me.” The truth was Desiree had felt a trifle hurt that he had not.

“I didn’t want to take up any of your time with the Morelands. But when I saw your eyes glazing over, I decided you wouldn’t mind.”

“No. Frankly, my head was spinning even before science came into it. I’ll never remember half their names, and they must have talked about a hundred different things.”

“Want a moment of peace?” he asked and tilted his head toward the door. “Come, I’ll show you something.”

Intrigued, she left the room with him. As he led her through the house, Desiree asked, “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. I don’t want to spoil it.” Tom went on, “I talked to Smeggars about Mrs. McGee when I arrived tonight.”

“The butler? Did he know Mrs. McGee?” Desiree asked hopefully.

“No, but he said he’d make inquiries. If anyone can locate her, it’s Smeggars. But it may take a day or two.” Tom opened a door at the back of the house. “Here we are.”

Desiree sucked in her breath as she stepped out onto a terrace. Before them lay the back of the Morelands’ property, a wide expanse of green, unexpectedly large in the crowded city. A high wall ran all around the outer boundary. There were a couple of small buildings to the left of the house, as well as a neatly tended herb garden. Clusters of flowers and trees were scattered around the yard, and lights glowed here and there, softly illuminating the grounds.

“It’s beautiful!” Desiree went to the low wall that marked the edge of the terrace and looked out. “It’s their own personal park.”

Tom took her hand and led her down the shallow steps to the lawn. They strolled beside the rose garden, the night heady with the flowers’ perfume. There seemed something magical to Desiree about this place, hushed and walled, a hidden Eden amid the rush and noise of the city.

When Tom stopped beneath one of the spreading trees and turned to her, it seemed only natural to go into his arms. Their lips met.

And the world around them fell away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

THEIR KISS WAS slow and sweet, savoring the moment. Hunger blossomed in Desiree, and she pressed against Tom, her kiss turning demanding. She felt his body tense and flare with heat, and his arms tightened around her.

Desiree slid her hands up his neck and into his hair, luxuriating in the feel of the silken strands sliding through her fingers. Everything in her was pounding, aching to have more of him. To feel more, taste more, do more. She trembled in her need, and in response Tom made a low noise in his throat and slid his hands down over her back, cupping and lifting her into him. Even through the barrier of their clothes, she knew the hard pressure of his flesh. Knew what it meant, knew what she wanted.

She moved her hips against him, sending desire soaring through them both. Tom kissed his way down her throat and across the expanse of her chest exposed by her evening gown’s low neckline. It took only a nudge for him to move aside the flounce of lace and kiss the soft breast beneath.

“Desiree...” Tom breathed her name as his hand came up to cup her breast, caressing her through the cloth.

Hunger pooled low in her abdomen. “More,” she whispered.

Her word shook him, and Tom slid his hand under her dress, pushing down the dress and chemise to reveal her breast. His mouth left a trail of fire across the soft skin, ending by circling her nipple with his tongue. The touch electrified her, and Desiree gasped as his mouth settled on her nipple, each tug sending ripples of pleasure through her. Desiree’s fingers clenched in his hair, her breath coming hard and fast in her throat. She wanted this to last forever and at the same time craved to rush forward.

Tom groaned and pulled up his head, leaning back against the trunk of the tree. He let out a short expletive, his arms loosening around her. “We can’t, Desiree.” His breath came in short, hard pants. “Not here. Not now.”

He was right, of course, but the passion thrumming through Desiree’s veins didn’t want to hear it. She wanted to protest, to snake her hands up his body and pull him back to her, to sink her lips into his and dare him to resist.

It took an effort of will for her to step back and turn aside. She busied the fingers that ached to caress him by straightening the bodice of her dress and smoothing her hair. It took some time for her breathing to slow and the heat in her to subside, and only then did she risk looking at Tom again.