A Gentleman Never Tells(85)
Suddenly Gabrielle craved to feel his lips on hers. Brent must have felt the same, because his eyes darkened and his lips parted slightly. He bent his head so close to hers she felt his breath. Gabrielle’s breathing became short and rapid in anticipation.
Instead of kissing her, he gently placed the tips of his fingers on her forehead and let them trickle down the bridge of her nose, over her lips and chin, and then down the slender column of her throat, to stop where her bosom heaved beneath her dress. He watched the trail of his light touch. His lace cuff tickled her skin, and she smelled the clean scent of shaving soap on his hand. His intense gaze moved back up to her eyes. He then flattened his hand, pressing hard as his hand slid between her breasts, down her midriff, past her stomach to rest at that most intimate spot between her legs.
Gabrielle gasped at the thrill of desire that shot through her. Her heart was beating so fast she thought she might faint.
She knew she should slap his hand away, yet she didn’t want to. She wanted him to touch her. She wanted to feel the delicious tingles she was feeling. His palm cupped her and pressed against her. She gasped again as she lifted her lower body to him, straining to get closer to his warmth. Their eyes searched. Their breath mingled. She didn’t know what he was doing to her, but it was making her knees weak, her breaths jerky, and her body moving in rhythm to the pressing of his hand. He moved his face even closer to hers. She parted her lips to accept his kiss.
Loud laughter sounded from the corridor, and Brent spun away from her, putting distance between them. Gabrielle straightened and tried to control her breathing.
They both stared at the doorway, but no one came into the room.
Finally Brent looked at her and said, “I won’t be staying for the buffet.”
She cleared her throat and huskily whispered, “Why?”
“Lord Waldo asked me and my brothers to go hunting with him and some other men later tonight. I need to go home and change for that.”
“Lord Waldo?” she questioned.
“Yes. We have one thing in common, remember? Our dogs are missing. We’ll search the parks.”
“Oh, I see.”
She wanted to ask when she would see him again, but knew that was the last thing she needed to say.
“I’ll walk out first,” he said. “You can follow me in a few minutes. You need to give the blush time to leave your cheeks.”
Brent turned and walked out. Gabrielle’s hands flew to her face. Her cheeks were hot, and no wonder! Whatever it was he was doing to her had her completely in his control. She was failing miserably at her vow to be an unacceptable bride and resisting his charm.
A few minutes later, Gabrielle walked into the drawing room and was surprised to see Brent still there and that Lord Snellingly had arrived. The earl was talking excitedly to the small group that surrounded him.
She walked up beside Brent and said, “What is going on?”
Without looking at her, he said, “Lord Snellingly found Josephine.”
“No!” she whispered in surprise. “I mean, oh, how wonderful for him that he found her. Where was she?”
“He’s not sure. He said a young man brought her to his door late this afternoon, and that’s why he’s just now getting here. He had to spend some time with Josephine before coming over.”
She touched his arm, and he turned to her. “I’m thrilled for Lord Snellingly, but I’m also sorry it wasn’t Prissy who was found. Will you still go on the hunt tonight?”
His gaze brushed down her face, and she had the feeling he was telling her he wanted to kiss her.
“I’ve told you I’ve settled my mind about Prissy, but if I can help find the other dogs, I’m willing to do what I can.” He nodded to her and turned away.
Gabrielle watched Brent walk out, and her hands tightened into fists as her heart broke for him. She would give anything if he could find Prissy.
“Gabby,” Auntie Bethie said, taking her arm and ushering her away from the crowd. “That was the longest and the worst performed piano recital I have ever been to.”
“I know.”
Her aunt’s brow wrinkled. “Did you know that several people didn’t even stay for a drink? The Brentwood twins, Count Vigone, and Lord Waldo have already left, and I just saw Lord Brentwood walking out the door, too. I think they were afraid you would call them back into the music room for an encore. You don’t plan to do that, do you? For if you do, I’ll take my leave now as well.”