“Proving a point.” Haven breathed her in, ruffling the hair at the nape of her neck. “Did you know I could find you in the dark, Theodosia? Most young ladies don’t smell of paint and lemons.” It sounded almost like an insult except he was still nuzzling against her ear. “Miss Emerson smells of rosewater.”
“I hope my scent acts as a repellent,” she shot back, not caring to be reminded again he had preferred Miss Emerson.
“You are not so fortunate,” he said, his breath fanning over her cheek. “I find it alluring. More tempting a scent than anything else I could imagine.” A finger trailed along the slope of her neck before pausing at her shoulder where he drew a circle. “Much like your spectacles. All that glass and gold perched on your nose is very enticing.”
Theo’s skin warmed. Stirred. “There is no need to flatter me, my lord,” she said, trying to ignore the large hand which now splayed possessively across her stomach. None of the gentlemen of her acquaintance found spectacles to be the least attractive. Haven was only toying with her. “Our marriage is already assured.”
“As I’ve mentioned before, I do not flatter.” He breathed against the back of her neck, the tip of his tongue alighting along the lobe of her ear, nibbling gently. “I haven’t the patience. I prefer a more direct approach. Honesty.”
Theo’s pulse beat wildly. A soft throb started beneath his hand, flooding down the lower half of her body. “Doesn’t it bother you that I am in love with another man?” She didn’t sound the least believable, not even to her own ears.
“Shall I show you how wrong you are?” The fingers stretched across her mid-section inched down to lay between her thighs.
Theo inhaled sharply at the intimate touch but didn’t pull away.
“What you mistake for love,” he pressed a kiss to her cheek, “is no more than girlish infatuation.”
Her heart bounced violently against her ribcage. Unable to stop herself, Theo twisted her hips back against Haven, hearing him groan at the pressure. This was why their marriage must be kept distant. This terribly wonderful torrent of physical responses which led her breasts to throb and ache, the echo of which she felt between her legs. Blythe inspired none of this. She tried to focus on him, picturing Blythe’s face as he flirted with her and failed miserably. There was only Haven.
He gently turned her chin, nipping seductively at her bottom lip. A lush, sensual kiss fell on Theo’s mouth, a plea to surrender herself to him.
A whimper erupted from her throat. Her mouth moved in tandem with his, lips opening with little protest as his tongue swept between them. Haven’s fingers slid further between her thighs, cupping her mound atop the layers of muslin she wore, pulling her roughly back against the hardness pulsing so deliberately at the curve of her backside.
Theo dropped her head against his chest with a soft moan, unable and unwilling to move away. The throbbing between her thighs intensified, rippling out across her limbs. Her hand moved down to lay on top of his, feeling the strength of his fingers as he caressed her. All her worries of their marriage, of the horrible gossip circulating about her, and, most of all, her fear, ebbed away under such a blatantly erotic onslaught.
His fingers moved deftly over her sex, the layers of her skirts only heightening the sensitivity as his mouth slanted over hers.
Theo wasn’t even sure if she was breathing any longer. Thoughts slowed. Sounds became muted.
“This is why,” he whispered against the corner of her mouth, “you will not find my bed to be a duty. Nor will you be thinking of Blythe or any other man.” He pushed her more fully against the thick hardness pressing into her backside. “Christ,” he rasped against her cheek, “can you not understand I wanted you the instant you spilled ratafia on me? Are you really so blind?”
Theo’s eyes snapped open in surprise to the view of the park before her. “I didn’t realize you saw my ruining your coat as flirtation.” There was much Theo had failed to comprehend about Haven. Their relationship was not to be as simple as she’d first surmised, but more tangled. Today was a perfect example.
“We willnotlive apart.” His teeth sank gently into the lobe of her ear. “And I intend on sharing a bed with you. Should you feel the need to take a lover, I suggest you dispense with it. I’m far better with swords and a pistol than I am often given credit for. That is my rebuttal to your ridiculous proposal.”
Haven waspossessive. Of her. That was more shocking than having him admit he wanted her.
Her fingers bit into her palms, the paintbrush she held nearly snapping in half. She felt half-dazed. Intoxicated. “I don’t like you. At all,” she whispered, knowing it wasn’t true, and he knew it.
“So you’ve said.”
Theo took a shaky breath. This conversation had taken a rather unexpected,carnalturn, one she hadn’t prepared for. “My affections,” she stuttered, the words which had become rote coming out in her confusion.
Haven jerked back, releasing her, temper no longer in check.
“Are you attempting to convince me or yourself, Theodosia? I will tell you the truth. Had I not taken that bloody miniature, you would still be throwing yourself at Blythe in a shameless manner while all of London laughed behind your back. While you, so blinded by his glory and your lack of spectacles, failed to ascertain his disinterest.”
Theo looked down at her feet, hating how she’d spoiled the beauty of the last few moments with him. Knowing that no matter how ugly, his words were true. It was difficult enough to admit to one’s failings without having someone so harshly remind you. The drawing she’d seen in the paper this morning flashed before her.
“Your point is well taken, my lord. I realize what a goose I made of myself. There is no need to berate me further. I’m quite capable of doing that without your help.” She bit her lip. “If I should forget, I can always have my brother remind me. Or Romy, but now that she’s in Italy—” Her words fell short.
A deep breath came from behind her. “Theo.” His voice was horribly tender as Haven reached for her, one arm circling her waist to pull her close once more. “I don’t wish to argue.” His nose slid across her neck. “I see you finished it, the one you painted in the park.” Haven hugged her tightly to his chest.
Theo looked over at the canvas leaning carelessly against the wall, distracted by Haven’s scent and the warmth of his arms. He’d remembered what she’d been painting that day. It was rare to have anyone comment on her paintings or sketches until they were finished, let alone recall what she’d been working on and when.
“You’ll see that I did not forget the geese,” she said.
A delicious rumble sounded against her back. “Is that what those little white puffs are? You will give me credit for the color at the edges of the water. Had I not been there to offer my assistance, it’s doubtful you would have gotten the pond scum correct.”
