Page 13 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

Suzanna couldn’t help but think how grateful she was that her own mother was still in the country. Not that she was happy Mother was sick, but the Season would not be quite as enjoyable were she in Town with her. She was thoroughly enjoying the napping and card-playing Lady Montford as her chaperone.

“I find I am feeling a bit overwhelmed in this heat. Would you mind escorting me outside for some fresh air?” It was probably not the best idea to ask him, of all people, to take her outside, but she was feeling more and more airless. Damn her stays. The champagne had not helped. In fact, it seemed to make her feel worse.

“Certainly. You do look a bit peaked. Here, take my arm.” He extended his elbow and she grabbed onto him, thankful for his sturdiness. They made their way through the crowd, trying hard not to stop too often to exchange greetings. Mr. Templeton kept glancing in her direction, and given his frown and tight lips, she most likely didn’t look well. She felt quite ill.

She stumbled, not sure if it was her feet giving way, or if she was on the verge of fainting. Though she’d never swooned in her life and had no intention of doing so in front of half the ton.

Mr. Templeton wrapped his arm around her waist, which was inappropriate, but she didn’t care. She wanted only to get outside where she could breathe. He placed his palm on the door and pushed, leading her through. There were groups of people on the patio, and she began to panic, thinking there was nowhere she could go without being surrounded.

“I need to get away from people.” She barely got the words out, her breath coming in pants.

“Try to relax; you are working yourself into a dither. We will walk slowly down the path, where there are fewer people.” With his arm still wrapped around her, they made their way past the steps of the patio, along the passage from the house to the garden. As they walked farther from the house, her breathing began to return to normal, and her lightheadedness faded.

She took a deep breath, wishing she could access more air, but her stays were inhibiting her. Mr. Templeton continued to study her as they walked. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. I believe I am.” Now that her body had calmed down, she realized he still held her, and the warmth from his body next to hers was causing another sort of disquiet. Here she was in a dark garden, with the man who had kissed her senseless the last time they were together. Would he do so again? Do I want him to?

She came to a stop and

turned to him, so he was forced to release her. “Thank you for the rescue, Mr. Templeton. I was feeling quite poorly, and without your quick action, I might have embarrassed myself by swooning like some silly debutante.”

He reached out and ran his finger down her cheek. She had the strange urge to turn her head to have his full hand cup her face. “You are no silly debutante. And I am happy to have helped. But I have a favor to ask of you.”

Oh, dear. She was already on her guard, not sure what to expect next from this man. “What is that?”

“This.” With that simple word, he swooped in, pulling her close, and he covered her lips with demanding mastery.

Oh Lord, not again!

Chapter Four

At first Suzanna froze at the suddenness of Mr. Templeton’s action. Then she melted into his arms, relaxing into his powerful embrace as his talented mouth consumed her. Her senses were heightened, but not to her surroundings, only to him. His heat, his scent, his possession of her mouth, her body.

For he did possess her body. As before, her heart thumped, her stomach clenched, and the area between her legs grew moist. The tips of her breasts tingled where they brushed against the stiffness of his coat. She had no control. Mr. Templeton held her body hostage.

He pulled back and scattered kisses along her jawline, her neck, the sensitive area behind her ear. Almost of its own volition, her head dropped to the side to grant him greater access. The heat between them built, and she longed to feel her skin against his skin, his heat against her heat.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices not more than twenty yards from where they stood. As if someone had thrown a glass of ice water over her, she stilled, and the passion she’d been feeling vanished like a puff of smoke. She pulled back and stared at him, incredulous. “What are you doing?”

“I think that is obvious.” His smirk was the very thing she needed to come completely to her senses.

“Is that your plan, then? To have us caught in a compromising situation so I have no choice but to marry you?”

His grin faded, and his brows drew together. “No. I do not cheat. I intend to court you and win your hand. Not by perfidy, but honestly.”

She shoved him away, straightened her clothing, then patted her hair. “Well, I believe it is a bit fortuitous that you assault me in a dark garden soon after voicing your intention to speak with my father.”

Despite the poor lighting, she could not miss the tightened lips and the snap of his eyes. “First of all, I did not assault you, and from your reaction to my so-called assault, you were certainly not in distress, but rather an active participant.”

She straightened her shoulders and raised her chin. “I believe we should return to the house.”

“Of course.” He gave her a stiff bow and offered his arm. “Just to be clear on something, Suzanna.”

Her insides knotted at the intimacy. “I did not give you leave to use my given name.”

He did not acknowledge her setdown but continued. “When I want something, I do everything in my power to succeed. Except deceit. I will win you fairly and honorably.”

Still reeling from the effects of his kiss, she was only too glad to leave the dark part of the garden and return to the rout. How very foolish of her to allow him to walk her that far away from the gathering. If anyone noticed them enough to comment, she didn’t hear it. She breathed a sigh of relief.