She shook her head. “Is that important?”
“It’s important if it’s you.”
Her breath hitched. “Why?”
“Because I don’t know what methods will be used to get the book back, love. I’d rather you not be in the crossfire.”
So protective.“Well, it wasn’t me.”
“Very well,” Leeds said. “So long as this doesn’t bring trouble to you.”
“Are you going to put that in a note tomorrow?”
He tilted his head. “Perhaps it will say ‘Stay away from anything dangerous, love.’”
“Does that mean I should stay away from you?”
“I’m dangerous?” He sounded surprised.
Yes.To my heart, my body, and my soul. It was rather frightening to realize how much access he had to her heart while not knowing how much of his heart she could reach. Others might claim that Leeds fancied her, but she was too nervous, too unsure of herself in this regard, to presume the same. And anyway, fancying wasn’t the same as... well, as other things.
“Well, I’ve come to learn you are rather frighteningly charming when you choose to be,” she said finally.
They stared at each other though the dimly lit carriage while the wheels ambled along the cobblestone streets, the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves mingling with the faint sounds of their breathing.
Awareness prickled her scalp, his imposing body taking up much more of the space now than it had on their way to the ball.
The air pulsed with energy, an undercurrent of allure that Harriet could no longer resist. The world outside ceased to exist, and in a moment of pure insanity, or perhaps sparkling clarity, Harriet reached across the space between them and traced the sharp line of his jaw. Even though he was freshly shaven, therough rasp of stubble scratched her finger. She had been dying to do that since they had bathed together.
Her heart pounded as he leaned into her touch, his eyes never leaving hers, as though he didn’t want to miss any nuance of her expression or reaction.
“What are you doing?” he whispered.
“I don’t know.” She withdrew her hand. “Testing something, I suppose.”
“Do tell,” he said, voice hoarse.
“The texture. Your jawline seems rather sharp.”
He leaned into her palm. “And how does it feel to the touch?”
“Prickly.”
Leeds scratched his jaw. “That can’t be helped, I’m afraid.”
“But it’s not as hard as I expected.”
Harriet froze when he reached out and traced the shape of her face with a finger.
“Soft,” he murmured, “Just as I expected.”
Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord.
“Why didn’t you join your friends tonight?” Leeds asked curiously.
“Do I have the ability to keep such a thing from you, as closely as you keep watch over me?” Harriet countered.
“You have kept the details of tonight from me thoroughly enough.”
