He drew her into his arms, her breasts to the hard planes of his chest, her skirts entwined with his legs. Her heartbeat quickened, and it was as if she couldn’t get enough air—all in reaction to his simplest touch. Why?
And then his lips met hers, soft and coaxing one moment, firm and commanding the next, demanding entrance to her mouth and insisting that she meet him in passion. And to her regret, she did, with an enthusiasm that was embarrassing and exhilarating at the same time.
At last he lifted his head, and she managed to say in a breathless voice, “There, we have scandalized our hostess enough.”
“Or made her sigh with the romance of it all.”
He was probably more correct than she was.
“But what if no one knows what we’re doing out here,” he continued, his arms still holding her firm against him, “and we’re discovered? You would have to marry me then.”
“I am a widow, Robert, given far more freedom than any maiden to have an affair. I cannot be forced into marriage by this sort of scandal.”
“Then we may have an affair?”
She groaned. “Not this again. You must let go of this fantasy of us together.”
“No.”
He wasn’t teasing now, she could hear it in his voice. He was determined, and for the first time, she wondered if he could defeat all of her promises to herself.
No, she wouldn’t let that happen. “Take me inside, please. I’m cold.”
19
Robert escorted them home, then headed back to Hedgerley to take a room at the inn for the night. Audrey knew he wanted her to ask him to spend the night, and that he would have tried to persuade her, had Blythe not been in the carriage with them. Thank goodness for her sister, because Audrey remembered how easily she’d let Robert seduce her on her very own dining table, where her servants might have found them. She winced at the memory and had to force away the images of the pleasure she hadn’t known she was capable of.
To her surprise, Blythe followed her into her bedroom.
“Molly,” Blythe said, “I’ll help Audrey undress for the night. And then she can help me.”
Audrey frowned at Molly. “You should be sleeping, not waiting up for us. You’re still recovering.”
“So I dozed upon your bed,” Molly said. “I knew you wouldn’t mind. Thank you, Miss Blythe, I will accept your kind offer, and I’ll tell Charlotte you don’t need her. But before I go, did you both enjoy your dinner?”
“You should have seen her waltz with Lord Knightsbridge!” Blythe gushed, before Audrey had the chance to speak. “They made the most romantic couple there.”
Audrey was surprised to feel her cheeks heat, knowing Molly still thought they were truly engaged. “Blythe?—”
Molly gave an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, it must have been wonderful.”
“He even led her out on the terrace,” Blythe confided.
“Ooh!”
“You never did tell me what he …saidout there.” Blythe’s voice hinted at laughter and happiness.
Audrey hesitated. Both her sister and Molly wanted to believe that even the most impractical of dreams could come true. And that wasn’t going to happen. “Enough, ladies. We are all very tired. Good night, Molly. And next time, tell me when you’re going to alter the bodice of my gowns.”
Molly didn’t sound apologetic as she said, “You looked stunning, didn’t you?”
“Oh, she did,” Blythe chimed in.
“And Lord Knightsbridge couldn’t take his eyes from you.”
“No, he couldn’t,” Blythe agreed. “And neither could several of the other men.”
Would this blushing never cease? “Good night, Molly.”
