Page 98 of By No Means a Gentleman
“Yes, but would I have been able to leave your sight long enough for me to join them?”
“Perhaps not. But that’s only because I can’t keep my eyes off my captivating wife,” he said softly. Suggestively. “But you did meet up with the ladies.ThatI didn’t know.”
“Well, it’s like you said. We woman have our secrets, which means we have our ways.”
“So I see.”
“But I will have you know, I did feel a tiny pinch of guilt. But only once we arrived at the Stewarts.”
A subtle smile quirked his lips. “I suppose a small pinch is better than no pinch at all.”
She turned thoughtful. “I’m surprised you are taking this all in stride.”
“I can be a reasonable man, love.” He gave her a thoughtful look. “Did you want to join your friends?”
“A part of me did,” she admitted. “The biggest part didn’t. Would you have been angry had I joined them?”
“I’m not sure.” He leaned in closer. “But I would have done what I have wanted to do since we arrived. Toss you over my shoulder and kidnap you home. I’d go mad from knowing other men had seen you in such tight-fitting breeches.”
“Thatwould have been your objection?”
“What else would there be?”
Harriet’s heart gave a little summersault. The man was just too lethal. If he had unleashed this charm when they first met, she might have arealmarriage by now. But even though their journey hadn’t had a very good start, she couldn’t quite begrudge the trials they’d had to face to get to this moment.
“Oh, there is still one more thing I must tell you.” She grinned at him. “Tonight was my idea.”
A breath of silence filled the space between them before he reached over and pinched her chin gently to hold her face before his. His gaze struck the air from her lungs.
“Leeds?”
“Promise me in the future you will include me in your plans, schemes, or whatever mischief you wish to embark upon.” His voice dropped to a raspy whisper. “I’d rather be part of any schemes than left in the dark.”
She covered his mouth with her hand. “Don’t say another word.”
His brow asked the question his mouth couldn’t.
“I don’t think my heart can stand another word. That being said, I’d be quite happy to include you in future plans, schemes, or mischief. I think you need a bit more of them in your life.”
Harriet slowly withdrew her hand from his lips, her gaze taking their place. This mouth of his that surprised her around every turn was indeed tempting to silence. Perhaps she was still caught up in the rush of the night, and all the moments that had been building up between them, but Harriet suddenly found herself curious as to how it would feel to be the one to kiss Leeds. And if ever there was a time for bold action, tonight was the night.
Their first kiss had been his.
This one—this one would be hers.
Then, as if moved by fate, or perhaps it was her heart, she leaned into her husband and kissed him.
*
Dear God, whatwas happening?
His wife was kissing him.
Will was intoxicated by the taste of her lips on him, even sweeter because she’d been the one to kiss him first—something he had never dared dream of so soon.
He balled his hands into fists to keep himself from pulling her onto his lap and deepening the kiss until they were both panting for breath. This moment was for Harriet... about Harriet. He wanted her to understand that she could take control, be in control any time and in any way she wanted.
Her hands settled on his legs and a jolt shot right through thatpartof him.
