The sight of that elegant hand, those long graceful fingers, sent a spill of longing down her spine. “Angry?”
“Furious.”
Yes, she’d seen that. Something about her made Worth incredibly angry.
The nail of his thumb brushed lightly along the edge of her modest neckline, ruffling the bits of lace. He hadn’t touched her skin, just the lace and piping, but even so, Aurora shivered with pleasure in that patch of sunlight. When his thumb delved gently into the valley between her breasts, Aurora’s knees buckled. She arched in his direction, willing his fingers to slide over her entire body.
Worth leaned over, his breath teasing at the fine hairs around her ear. “I should give you your gift.”
A pulse of heat flowed down the length of her neck from Worth’s touch. Aurora had so hoped he’d relent, and her gift would be contact. Kissing. Stroking. Quite possibly, this is whyhe hesitated to touch her. There was such—eroticism to the mere glance of a finger when paired with desire one already felt. An effortless seduction. It didn’t help that Worth smelled utterly delicious. She wanted to bury her nose in his coat.
The fingers retracted, and Worth reached into the pocket of his coat. “Hopefully, this will satisfy your inquisitive nature.” Worth pulled out a square wrapped in plain paper, looking smug. “A book.”
“A book. You’ve brought me a book.” After making her knees weaken with just the barest touch, Worth had brought her a bloody book.
“Don’t open the package until you are home and in the privacy of your room. The tome is rather scandalous, but highly educational. It should answer all your questions. Far better than I can. This book isn’t one you can walk into Tate’s and request. You might find it rather shocking in nature.”
“I doubt it.” She took the slim tome from his hand, noting that he was careful not to so much as brush a finger along hers. “Aunt Lottie has a rather extensive collection.”
Worth shut his eyes as if praying for divine assistance. “I understand your curiosity, but cannot indulge it. Except with this.” He nodded to the book, eyes sparkling and somber. “I hope you can understand.”
What Aurora understood was that Worth’s coat barely hid the fact that he was aroused, but refused to act on it. “I suppose Grisham or Healey might permit a liberty or two.” She plucked the book from his fingers.
“Aurora.” His voice lowered. “This is a dangerous game you seek to play with me. Neither of us will win. And—it must cease. For your sake. What happened in the maze cannot ever happen again. Do you understand?”
What Auroradidunderstand was that Worth was pushing her away once more, though he clearly—she snuck a look at theedge of his coat once more—desired her. But he wasn’t going to act on that desire.
“Very well. Thank you for the gift.”
“You are welcome, Aurora.” He turned back to her and tugged the edge of his coat down, features composed. Polite. “I hope this puts an end to your—curiosity.”
Aurora’s gaze flicked down Worth’s long legs, slowly moving back to his chest. The riding breeches he wore wereterriblyunforgiving. He might be reluctant, but parts of him were not. “I’ll be sure to let you know,” she said as he once more mounted Priscilla, “if I have any questions.”
“Please do not,” Worth said stiffly. “I bid you good morning, Lady Aurora.”
She clasped the book to her chest. “Good morning, Mr. Worthington.”
*
Restraint.
That was the word Charles decided on as he rode away from Aurora. He was rather proud he had any at all left when it came to her. Drawing a thumb along the edge of her delicious bosom had Charles coming undone, but he’d had the strength to pull back.
Taking a deep breath, he welcomed the smell of horse and leather as he headed to the other side of the park, begging it to wipe away the scent of honeysuckle on Aurora’s skin. The feel of her skin, like the finest silk, had nearly driven him mad. Charles had wanted to press his mouth between those firm mounds. Ease his tongue between those lovely globes of flesh.
He rode past another spray of peonies shining a dusky rose in the morning sun.
Were Aurora’s nipples the same shade?
He urged Priscilla into a gallop, putting as much distance as he could between his cock and Aurora Sinclair. Charles could have taken her right there, in the wet grass. And she would have allowed it.
This is why he could not touch Aurora. Ever again.
Chapter Nine
Aurora sipped hertea, added more sugar, and casually took in the Duchess of Ware. Her Grace struggled to sit upright on the settee, with little success. All that flopping about had only managed to tangle her in the silk of her skirts. Rather like an enormous turtle who cannot manage to get back on its feet. Her sister would not appreciate the comparison.
“Tamsin, should you be out paying calls given,” she gestured pointedly to Tamsin’s overly large stomach, “your condition?”
