Page 25 of Lords, Ladies and Love

He sighed. “My mother takes more care than Aunt Jean, believe it or not. I do not see much of her now as my parents spend a lot of time in Bath, but she wreaks havoc when she can.”

Angel peered at him. “So you have spent a lot of time looking after people? What of your sisters? Do you have to take care of them?”

“I do not have to much now they are all married, but there were many years when I had to escort them everywhere.” He chuckled. “I do not much miss those years.”

“I think I have not taken enough time to care for my siblings,” she murmured. “I will try to rectify that.”

He leaned forward and put a finger to her chin, tilting it so she could not look away. “Sometimes, people have to look after themselves. I have had to learn that about my mother. Hopefully they will learn.”

She still felt the touch of his finger on her face even after it was gone. “But your mother never learned?”

He shook his head with a dry smile. “She’s a rather manipulative character. Caused my father a lot of problems when I was growing up. It meant life was rarely normal. If we did not have lovelorn men on our doorstep, we had weeping women begging her to stay away from their husbands.”

Drawing in a breath, Angel put a hand briefly to his. “She had affairs?”

“Interestingly, no. She was just rather adept at flirting.” He lifted a shoulder. “I think she enjoyed having that power over people.”

Angel opened her mouth then closed it. Now she understood why he had taken such a disliking to her in the beginning. He had thought her like his mother. How did one explain that she had no intention of manipulating people or breaking hearts? Her only interest had been fun. And, well, she supposed making the duke jealous.

Perhaps she really did manipulate. Even if she had not been aware of it. She stared at her hands. No wonder he had thought badly of her.

“What is it?” he asked softly.

She lifted her head. “I know you do not approve of me.”

“Ah.” He shifted forward in the chair and pushed a curl of hair back from her face. “I will admit I had my doubts about you. I am not proud of the fact I made an instant judgement based on very little.”

“So you do not think me like that? Like your mother?” She held her breath. It should not matter so much what he thought, and yet it did. It mattered more than anything in the world. So much so that she could feel tears burning the corners of her eyes.

“I do not.” His fingers lingered on her face.

Air released from her lungs. Reuben dropped his fingers from her face and curled them around her arms, drawing her into the cradle of his legs. Her breaths felt hot, her limbs weak. She stared up at him and admired the way the candlelight danced over his strong, beautiful features.

All she wanted was a kiss. Was that too much to ask? One kiss from this honorable, intriguing, caring man.

She did not know whether he had heard her silent plea nor did she care. He lowered his lips to hers, his hands burning hot on her arms. The first touch of his mouth on hers had her breath catching. When he slanted his mouth across hers, she feared she might faint. A rumble of appreciation emanated from him, and she curved her hands across his thighs for support. His tongue found hers, and he tasted her softly, teasing her with his tongue. When he broke away, it took all her willpower not to make a disappointed sound.

Though she did rather appreciate his genuine smile. She could not help but smile back.

“Well then…”

“Yes,” she agreed.

One kiss would not be enough, and they both knew it. She was certain of that.

Chapter Ten

Reuben tweaked his cravat and blew out a breath, casting his gaze over the letters he’d received this morning. He’d been neglecting business for too long. His constituents’ needs were great and estate matters needed to be overseen—something he could not do from his aunt’s house. Not to mention it was starting to look a little odd, him staying so long, especially considering he lived so close.

But he’d be damned if he wanted to leave now.

Not after kissing Angel.

He rubbed a hand over his face and straightened his waistcoat. Logic warred with this sensation deep in his gut. This sensation that had been lingering there since he’d seen Angel in the library, clad in a flimsy shift and robe. Since he’d touched her face. Since he’d tasted her…

Logic told him he needed to return home. Not only to see to his business but to put some distance between them. No wonder he could not think straight when she was around. The woman was like no one he’d ever met. All smiles and laughter and quick wit. That combined with the obvious care she had for his aunt was a lethal combination. Much longer under the same roof as her, and he’d be wanting to take her to bed.

If he left, however, he could court her properly.

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