She tugged at her wrist, anxious to break contact. Destroy the sudden, unwelcome intimacy springing up between them.
Haven didn’t release her. His eyes closed for a moment before the press of his tongue slid against her pulse, tasting her skin. It was an unexpectedly sensual gesture, one that felt even more wicked here, in the dappled sunlight of her brother’s garden.
“Where is my miniature?” she whispered, determined to stop the slow spread of honey spilling down her wrist to encompass the rest of her body. Another image of what she’d seen at Elysium flashed through her mind.
“I’m keeping it.” His teeth scraped against her skin. “I’d like to make some comparisons before giving it back to you. Size. Shape. Color.”
Heat rushed up her cheeks. There was no way to mistake his meaning.
“I can inspect you for paint at the same time. There isn’t any telling where some has landed. Possibly even under your skirts.” He watched her from beneath his lashes, bits of emerald flashing across her skin.
Theo’s heart fluttered. Not softly, but madly. Like the wings of a trapped butterfly. She had to turn away from the hunger flaring in his gaze. Haven meant to devour her as he had the tea tray. And she was much larger than a scone or a biscuit.
It is only envy of Blythe, she reminded herself, causing him to behave so seductively with her.
“There is no need to pretend affection, my lord.” She snatched her wrist from his grasp. “Nor seduction. We are to be married whether we wish it or not.”
“I deplore pretense, Theodosia. I don’t have the patience for it and thus do not practice it.” Haven’s lips twisted into a smirk which made him more damnably attractive than he already was.
Drat.
“Good.” She cleared her throat, trying to regain some control. “We should reach some sort of understanding, given our circumstances,” she blurted, finding it increasingly difficult to breathe with Haven so close.
“Should we?”
Theo cleared her throat. “Politely, my lord, our marriage is one of convenience. An unhappy accident borne of society’s rules. You and I both know nothing improper happened between us.”
“DoI know that, though?” His voice had lowered to a dangerous purr. “You attacked me. My ribs are still bruised.”
Theo pursed her lips, ignoring the subtle ache the sound of him stirred. “I only sought to retrieve the miniature, as well you know.”
“You’ve yet to thank me for saving your reputation.” Those tiny lights, the ones that reminded Theo of fireflies in the summer grass, were dancing in his eyes.
“My reputation wouldn’t have been damaged had you only returned the miniature to me. I would have left the study immediately. You arrogant wretch; how dare you behave as if you’ve done me a favor. All of London thinks I was lying in wait for Blythe.”
“Well, weren’t you?” He lifted his brows.
“You know I was not.” Theo narrowed her eyes on him, ignoring the way the sunlight sparked along his jaw, turning the dark hair to copper. “My brother has an interesting theory. He thinks you compromised me on purpose. And Blythe helped.” Tony hadn’t said that...exactly, but she did enjoy the way Haven’s smug look turned to ice.
He rubbed his fingers over the hair along his chin, drawing her attention to the tiny half-moon scar. There was a stiffness to his movements, as if he were struggling to rein in his temper.
She wondered again where the scar had come from. It resembled the bottom of a broken bottle. Or a glass. He probably got it in a bar fight.
“I fear the duke is incorrect.” Haven’s low rumble hung in the air. “It was actually Lady Blythe I conspired with. She’s never liked you. Finds you far too bold. Inappropriate, I believe, is the word she used. Begged me to ensure you couldn’t get your hooks into her precious son.”
Theo glared at him. “You—”
“We practiced for several days before the party. I would pop out at her from various hidden nooks and stumble about, tripping over everything while pretending to be you. She would scream at the sight of me.” His words dripped sarcasm. “Howfortunateyou decided to place yourself in Blythe’s study at exactly the right time without my knowledge. Saved me the trouble of luring you there.”
“You’re impoverished, my lord,” she said defensively. “It is a fair conclusion.”
“That my father left me with nothing but a title? How incredibly astute you are, Theodosia. Perhaps you aren’t the ninny everyone assumes you to be.”
She fell back a step, surprised by the sharp cruelty of his attack. Theo had wanted to provoke Haven’s temper, and she’d succeeded. His eyes no longer flickered with hunger for her but icy indifference. Drawing closer, Haven stopped a mere hair’s breadth from her, looming over Theo until the tip of his nose nuzzled gently against her neck. A soft, soothing purr came from him.
Damn him.
A delicious prickling sensation cascaded downward, caressing every curve and hollow of her body. She arched ever so slightly toward Haven, unable to ignore the way his touch beckoned her to come closer. It made her forget almost everything, even the ugly words she’d forced from him.
