A Little Bit Sinful(27)

Yet, it was Justin’s kiss that made her feel so alive, so full of lust and desire.





Chapter Six


Clarissa and Aunt Maureen stepped into the ballroom that glowed with gold and green fabrics and hundreds of candles.

It was lovely and the air smelled of spiced punch. The musicians had already begun playing and a handful of people scattered about the dance floor moving to the country dance.

Clarissa was nervous. She wasn’t certain why. She’d been to countless balls. But tonight her insides jittered like she’d had too much champagne. Justin had been invited, she’d been told. Evidently when Vivian had seen that he be invited to a handful of functions a few months ago, people had grown accustomed to his presence. Of course it probably didn’t hurt that Justin’s half-brother was the Duke of Chanceworth. But other people being used to his presence did not make it easier for her.

She never felt uneasy around him per se, especially when they were alone, but it was the fact that they’d spent so much alone time together that concerned her. Would people be able to tell? Would others be able to see the intimacy they’d shared? Her cheeks flamed in response.

She was a perfect lady, she reminded herself, or rather she knew how to behave like a perfect lady. A lady Rebecca would have been proud to know, despite Clarissa’s recent actions. Kissing not one but two different men.

She took a deep breath. She loved balls. Loved dancing and seeing her friends. She loved looking at all the dresses and she used to love gobbling up whatever gossip was out for the night. Tonight she was less eager for that bit considering she had so recently been the main dish.

Almost immediately one of Maureen’s friends stepped up and whisked Maureen away to go and hear about so-and-so’s outrageous new hat. Clarissa stepped through crowds of people searching for Ella.

She wanted to see George. She wanted the reassurance that things were still well between them since their kiss. Perhaps she should apologize for being so brazen. No, she wanted him to know she was available, that she would be a good wife to him in every way. She searched the room for his handsome face, but as she looked, he was not the man that caught her attention. Instead of George’s golden good looks, she was struck by a tall man with the more olive complexion and eyes as dark as sin. She sucked in a breath. Her heart quivered and flipped and she tried her best to swallow the sensations so that they did not reveal themselves on her face.

Justin Rodale stood across the room. He nodded to her, allowing his gaze to take in the length of her. He took a step toward her, then came the rest of the way.

“Good evening,” he said, but he never took his eyes off hers. “I would very much enjoy a dance.”

His gaze seared into her, making her warm all over. If she continued to find him so irritating, she would have a long list of things for which she needed to apologize. And truly what was so grating about him? His handsomeness, she decided. Yes, that was it, he was simply too handsome. Practically speaking no one needed to be that attractive. Well, and it wasn’t so much that she was irritated with him as it was the fact that he made her want things she had no right to want. Namely, him. “Do you know how?” she asked.

His gaze darkened. “I know you believe I must have been raised in the forest with wolves, but try to remind yourself that I attended the same school as your brother. I can assure you I’m a rather accomplished dancer.”

Clarissa swallowed. How was it he could be so unfazed by such a nasty question when mere glances of his sent her heart into acrobatics? “That’s not what I meant to ask. I was merely surprised you’d be interested in dancing, that’s all. But since you’ve so eloquently reminded me that you were raised properly, I should like to see you prove such a thing,” she countered, hoping that he wouldn’t notice her hands were shaking. Clarissa held out her dance card and allowed him to write down his name. Once he was done, she smiled slightly. “If you will excuse me, I believe I see my friend Ella over there.” She turned and walked away. She did her best not to run to her friend.

“Did he just ask you to dance?” Ella asked once Clarissa reached her side.

“He did.”

Ella grabbed her dance card to look at it. “A waltz too. Oh how positively scandalous. I think I might swoon.”

“You will do no such thing.”

Clarissa looked down and Justin had most certainly signed his name by a waltz. “He should know better.”

“I suspect he knows precisely what he’s doing,” Ella said. “He is no stranger to Society. Wasn’t he raised in the Duke of Chanceworth’s home?”