A Dash of Scandal(45)
He moved a little closer to her and lowered his voice even more as he said, “For you, yes. For me, some things are worth the risk, Miss Blair.”
Millicent picked up an edge of fabric and pretended to study it, when all she wanted to do was look into Lord Dunraven’s seductive blue eyes and tell him she was charmed and flattered that he went to so much trouble just to see her for the second time in two days.
Truly, he must have known how difficult he was for her to resist. His smile, his manner, and even his bad reputation perplexed her, worried her… and captivated her. But she could never let him know that seeing him today was worth the risk of being caught talking to him in private.
She took a deep, languid breath. But what was she going to do? His pursuing her would make her more visible and jeopardize her work for her aunt. Keeping that secret had to be uppermost in her mind. If Millicent were caught, her aunt might somehow be revealed as Lord Truefitt, and she couldn’t risk ruining her aunt’s place in Society.
Perhaps she should confess to Aunt Beatrice or Viscountess Heathecoute and ask how she should handle this handsome gentleman rogue, for surely he was way too fast for her country upbringing.
With a fluid grace, Lord Dunraven reached over and took her gloved hand in his and gently pulled her to his chest, concealing her with him behind the bolts of fabric. Millicent gasped softly but didn’t pull away from him. How could she when she wanted to feel his arms around her again?
“Did that startle you?”
She looked up into his eyes, so close to hers she felt his breath when he spoke. “Yes.”
A wicked half grin lifted one corner of his mouth. “Was it a good startle?”
“Yes.”
Most definitely.
Oh, he was a cunning devil. How could she have lied to him and told him that it wasn’t? For surely it felt wonderful having his strong arms surround her and to be snuggled so close and so tightly in his arms.
Lord Dunraven’s grin turned to a pleasing smile. Millicent wasn’t afraid to be in his arms. She felt no danger. He was strong and her will was weak. She merely felt that she was where she wanted to be.
“Do you mind if I kiss you?” he asked.
Surprised, she said, “You didn’t ask yesterday.”
“Yesterday it would not have been difficult for me to escape had you screamed. Today would be a bit more of a problem.”
Millicent smiled. “So I could get rid of you merely by screaming?”
“Or just a loud cough would draw attention to you, Miss Blair. So what will it be?”
“A kiss,” she said without hesitating, knowing if she did, her sensible mind would win and she didn’t want it to.
Bending his head, he lightly brushed his lips across hers. The kiss was so gentle and brief if she tried hard she could believe it had never happened, yet her heart rate soared and a quickening tightened her abdomen.
She gazed into his eyes, fearing he would kiss her again and fearing he wouldn’t. Oh, what sweet torment!
She moistened her lips and said, “I’m glad to know that a rake can ask permission for a kiss.”
“I told you that I know how to behave as a gentleman—at times. I had a feeling you wouldn’t scream if I pulled you into my arms and kissed you, but I didn’t want to frighten you.”
“You don’t scare me, sir.”
“I know. So, may I kiss you again?”
“Please do.”
His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer to his chest. He lowered his head again and instinctively her lips parted, her mouth opened, allowing his tongue to slip inside and plunder her warmth. The kiss was long, generous, drugging. Short choppy breaths merged with long whispery sighs. Millicent had no idea which sound emerged from Lord Dunraven and which came from her own mouth.
When he broke the kiss, he remained holding her tightly. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, “I’ve wanted to kiss you like this since the first night I saw you in the corridor. Remember that night?”
“You blew me a kiss.”
“More proof I can be a gentleman at times.”
Without letting her go, he turned them around and carefully backed her up until she pressed against the fabric table.
“What are you going to do?”
“Kiss you madly.”
Millicent caught her bottom lip between her teeth and formed a protest that never came out.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he whispered softly. “I can see your maid through the stacks of cloth. I will keep watch. I won’t let her or anyone else catch us. If she heads this way, I’ll duck under the table.”