Page 14 of A Scandal Before Christmas
“Give Hawthorne a chance, my dear. He may surprise you with his sincerity.”
Lauren pondered her cousin’s advice as the atmosphere in the salon grew increasingly jovial. Sitting in on a few hands of vingt-et-un, she lost abysmally because her mind was not on the game. Then she stood by, watching as several brave souls played Snapdragon until all the raisins in the bowl of flaming brandy were gone.
Rather aimlessly, she wandered about the large, boisterous room, acutely aware of the instant Theodore broke free of the whist game.
From a deceptively casual stance by the large fireplace, his back against the wall and a glass of brandy in one hand, Theodore’s dark gaze followed Lauren. Even though engaged in conversation with other lords over recent parliamentary matters, his attention sent a shiver up her spine even while he kept his distance.
A small blessing, Lauren conceded. The earl’s predatory nature was enough that men such as Lord Sanderson dared not venture close at all for the moment. She was unsure how long that might last.
In the midst of the evening’s activities and chatter, a small group of servants wheeled in two tea carts. Lined up in neat little rows were footed porcelain bowls filled with fresh snow and a pitcher containing a syrupy mixture of lemon juice and sugar.
“Oh!” One lady clapped her hands. “We’re having ices just like at Gunter’s!”
This was met with surprised exclamations of delight. Those not seated at the gaming tables gathered around the tea carts, eagerly accepting servings of the treat. Lauren was momentarily distracted by someone’s enthusiastic shout of triumph over a favorable turn of cards and did not notice Theodore sliding into the open space by her side.
She was immediately wary but refused to flee.
He handed her a bowl. “I remember how fond you are of desserts like this.”
“Thank you,” Lauren muttered, swallowing a deep breath when their fingers brushed.
Theodore’s full lips quirked with a smile, leaving no doubt he was aware of her reaction.
Lifting her spoon, Lauren took a dainty nibble of the ice as if she hadn’t just come close to losing her composure. “It’s very good. Don’t you care for some, my lord?”
She froze in the process of taking another bite once she realized his eyes were riveted on her mouth.
“Will you feed it to me yourself, Lauren?” A hint of a smile twitched at his lips.
She blinked, and he was suddenly even closer.
“Of course not,” she stammered. “What a preposterous suggestion—”
“Then allow me the pleasure to do so for you…” Theodore’s voice lowered an octave, and it seemed as though they were the only two occupants in the room. Everything else, the noise, the laughter, the gaiety, all faded away. The earl’s eyes, so deep and mesmerizing, held hers. Lauren did not realize she was trapped like a rabbit in a snare until his finger gently traced the bare skin above her gloves.
She didn’t move away. No, to the contrary, she held still and held her breath, waiting for Theodore to do something more. Something… scandalous. Wicked. Even in a crowded room, there was no doubt the man would do as he pleased.
“You know you cannot do that, Theo. Besides, I’m not a child to be spoon-fed.”
“Eventually, you will admit I can do what I like with you, Lauren. I am finding the waiting for your acceptance of that fact to be tedious.”
“Whatwouldyou do with me?” Lauren asked, her mouth curving with a little smile.
“Ah, now you tease me.”
Lauren blushed. “I’m not. I only wonder…”
“Come with me, Lauren.”
“Why?” she whispered.
“Because I want you to.” Theodore’s head tilted as he watched her reaction to his demand. No one could see, but his finger inched from the back of her elbow to the side of her breast. Lauren trembled while he stroked the curve there. Even through the satin of her dress, the heat of his fingertips melted and burned her skin. “Because it’s time I show you exactly what I will do with you. You will goddamn love it; I promise you that,” he said in a deceptively calm voice. “Go wait for me in the west hall.”
When he removed the bowl of lemon ice from her hand, Lauren could not find an objection within her indignation at being ordered so cavalierly. Her breathing had gone shallow, her cheeks flushed with warmth, and a terrible, frightening excitement raced along the network of her veins. This was dangerous. Dangerous and yet unavoidable.
“I won’t ask again,” he hissed in her ear, his lips brushing the fragile skin. “Go.”
Lauren did as commanded. Even though her brain screamed she should stay within the relative safety of the crowd. Even though she knew he would take something from her she could not afford to lose once he got her alone.
