Page 39 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

But then again, Suzanna was an innocent, not a bored matron or jaded widow. She was a young lady whose prize possession was her virginity, to be guarded at all costs. If things went as he planned, he would be the man to whom she surrendered it. The time had come to admit he’d gone beyond just wanting her. He loved her, and to successfully win her hand, he had to make her fall in love with him.

Chapter Eleven

Suzanna had tried her best to avoid Giles—Mr. Templeton—most of the day. Their encounter in the woods had left her more rattled than she would have liked. His touch, his warm hand on her naked skin in such an intimate spot, and his kisses, had left her weak and aching for more.

Tonight, instead of seeing a smirk on his face, which she had expected, he requested a dance with all the politeness of every gentleman she had ever met. Nothing on his face gave away the intimacy they’d shared that afternoon in the woods.

“Yes. I believe you are the first to request a dance, Mr. Templeton.” She held up her arm where the small card dangled from her wrist. He took the card and quickly filled in two spots.

Panicked, she looked at the dances he’d requested, and fortunately, he had filled in only one waltz. The other was a cotillion. If they danced two waltzes, rumors would begin, assumptions would be made, gossip would spread, and before long, Mother would rise from her sick bed to descend upon London—and Suzanna—with the vengeance of Nemesis.

“May I request a dance from you, as well, Miss Fenster?”

It was quite gracious of him to request a dance from the young lady, considering how she had just disparaged the local gentry. But then again, wasn’t she, herself, in the same vein, since it was known throughout the ton that she sought a husband with a title? She really hated how shallow that made her appear, and perhaps it was time to let it be known it was her mother’s demand, not hers.

“I believe I have a few dances open, Mr. Templeton.” Miss Fenster held out her dance card, which was completely blank. Suzanna glanced at Giles, the humor in his eyes most likely matching hers.

Lord Hawkins and Lord Campbell joined their little group. “May I fetch a drink for you ladies?” Lord Campbell offered them his famous smile that had Miss Fenster giggling and growing red. His evening clothes were exquisite, his hair perfectly styled, his cravat tied to perfection. He was handsome, charming, and filled out his clothes quite well. To Suzanna’s annoyance, she felt nothing. Why was fate playing with her heart? Why couldn’t her reaction to either Lord Hawkins or Lord Campbell be as strong as her body’s response to even a glance, or slight brush of the hand, from Mr. Templeton?

And Mr. Templeton he would remain to her. Once she began to think of him as Giles, she would be in a world of trouble. She desperately needed that little bit of distance to keep herself under control.

“I would like champagne,” Miss Fenster said.

Campbell addressed Suzanna. “What may I bring for you?”

“Champagne, as well.”

He left them, heading toward a footman circling the room with a tray of drinks. Hawkins regaled them with a story of his sister, Lady Honora, and her first attempt to drink champagne at her coming-out ball.

As amusing as the story was, Suzanna’s attention was divided as she glanced sideways and studied Mr. Templeton. Yes, he certainly affected her. Even now, with them in a group, her heart was pounding, and anticipation built in her stomach. Would he kiss her tonight? Would she allow him a walk in the garden to cool themselves after a few dances? The tingling in her woman’s place indicated she should not do that.

Unfortunately, her body and her mind were not always in harmony.

“I’m afraid I must leave you now, as the local guests are arriving, and I needs greet them.” Lord Hawkins offered a slight bow and made his way up the stairs to where the receiving line had formed.

A few minutes later, after innocuous conversation about the success of the house party, Miss Fenster glanced over Suzanna’s shoulder. “If you will excuse me, I see Lady Penrose across the room, and I must speak with her.” She hurried off, leaving Suzanna and her adversary staring at each other.

“Do not look at me that way, Mr. Templeton.”

He leaned in close to her ear. “Ah, you owe me

a kiss.” The sweet smell of the champagne he’d drunk drifted from his mouth over her face. That, combined with the warmth of his breath, brought shivers to her.

“I most certainly do not,” she sniffed. “I never agreed to that nonsense. And anyway, we are in public.”

“But no one can hear us.”

“It matters not. Conversations can certainly be overheard in a ballroom, sir.” Then she raised her chin. “In any event, I do not wish to discuss this with you. This entire to-do over what to call whom is ridiculous. The house party is ending tonight, and I doubt we will see much of each other when we return to London.”

Heat rose from her middle, racing right up to her face when he burst out laughing, causing several people in their vicinity to glance their way. Giles took her hand and placed her arm in his. “Walk with me, sweeting.”

Fortunately, he did not take her to the garden, but they walked to the perimeter of the room, strolling along the wall. “Suzanna, darling, we will be seeing a great deal of each other in London.”

“You are the most arrogant, supercilious, smug man I have ever met.” She gave a slight tug, but he held firm to her arm and even placed his hand over hers where it rested on his evening jacket.

“Indeed. Which is why you are attracted to me.” He turned to her with a grin. “Do not insult both of our intelligences by claiming that to be untrue. I have felt your reactions when we kiss.” He leaned in close. “And when I touch you—like when you jumped out of the tree, into my arms. I have replayed that in my mind endlessly.”

If she thought her face was red before, now she was sure she would self-combust. Her heart pounded, and she debated whether it would be best to scream at his presumption or kick him in the shins. As a lady, she did neither. Instead she drew on all her years of training and offered him an extremely ladylike smile. However, she spoke through gritted teeth. “If you will excuse me, I believe I am in need of a trip to the ladies’ retiring room.”