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“That might be an interesting experiment,” she said, slowly. She had offered neither a refusal nor a promise. Yet she smiled, a small, private, genuine smile. He accepted the encouragement, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

He rose and helped her with her cloak, settling it over her shoulders and fastening it carefully. He brushed his fingers over the warm curve of her neck beneath her curls. She turned her head fractionally into the touch, and he felt it all the way down his spine. He offered his arm.

“Have I fulfilled my contribution?” he asked, his voice a little rough.

“Very satisfactorily.”

“Then I do hope I have earned yours...”

Amelia rested her hand upon his sleeve, her fingers curling lightly into the wool. “I suppose you have been anxiously waiting the entire evening to discover if you have.”

“Considerably longer,” he admitted.

“You must endure the carriage journey.” Her smile turned private, a slow curve that dried his mouth. “Then you will discover exactly what you have earned.”

The carriage was waiting when they reached the street, its lamps glowing amber in the cool dark. Dominic helped Amelia inside, her hand tight in his, and took the place beside her. The door closed, muffling the calls and movement outside. For the first time all evening, he had her company without anyone watching. The confined space hummed around them, warm and charged.

She turned toward him, her cloak falling slightly open to reveal the pale curve of her collarbone. “You have behaved remarkably well,” she said.

“I fear I have used up all my good behavior.”

“How fortunate that I shall have no further need of it,” she murmured, her eyes dark.

He laughed softly, the sound catching low in his throat, and took her hand. He lightly rubbed the inside of her wrist. Her breath came a little faster, and her pulse jumped against his thumb.

“You were attentive,” she said, her voice husky.

“I made you a promise.”

“Yes.” Her gaze lifted to his, luminous in the dim light. “You did.”

He kissed her fingers, letting his lips linger on her sensitive skin before pulling back. He wanted to kiss her mouth. He also wanted to keep hearing that quiet approval in her voice, a pleasure he could not remember seeking so eagerly from anyone else, and the restraint of waiting made his chest ache sweetly. Amelia touched the knot of his cravat, her fingertips light against his throat. “This one appears manageable.”

“I am glad you approve,” he said.

“Oh, I definitely do,” she said. “I would like it even better undone.”

“You are teasing me again,” he said, his voice not quite steady.

“Do you wish me to stop?” she asked, her lips twitching.

Dominic swallowed hard. “No.”

She laughed, low and warm, and he drew her nearer until her shoulder rested against his arm. Her fingers remained at his collar, tracing the folded linen, and each slow pass sent a ripple of heat through him. Dominic turned toward her. She was near enough that he could see the amusement soften into something more intent, her eyes darkening. Her lips were slightly parted. He brushed a loose curl from her cheek, letting his fingers rest against her warm skin.

“I have been looking forward to this,” he said quietly.

“The carriage journey?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Having you to myself.”

Her hand slipped from his collar to his shoulder and curled there. “You might have said so.”

“I suspected you knew,” he said.

“I did. But I find I enjoy hearing it,” she whispered.

He kissed her then, gently enough to let her choose to make it more. She answered by drawing him closer. She slid her fingers into the hair at his nape, and for several moments he forgot the carriage's movement and the noise beyond it. The world narrowed to the soft heat of her mouth and the small, sweet sound she made against his lips.