Page 22 of Drowned in the Pleasure of a Devilish Baron
Sarah’s eyes moved to his lips, and he knew that their thoughts were aligned.
“I know we are not courting as we had hoped to be,” he murmured. “But I would very much like to kiss you right now.”
In answer, she closed her eyes and leaned forward, dark lashes sweeping across her pale cheeks, her lips parting to greet him.
He was a gentleman, and he knew that what they were doing was wrong, but he could not resist her. Leaning across, he moved his hand to her hair and pressed his lips to hers.
She tasted like honey, like happiness. In Sarah, he felt the hope and happiness a child feels looking out at the world, sure that they can conquer anything, ignorant of the cruelties of reality.
His hand tangled in her dark curls, cupping the back of her head tenderly, as their lips became acquainted for only the second time. She leaned in closer, and he wrapped one arm protectively around her small frame, moving her across the last few inches that separated them on the couch. Her hand moved to his jaw, and he felt his body respond to the touch.
With a sigh, he pulled away, their faces still a breath apart. He ran his hand across her cheek, now pinkened from their kiss, and her hair that he had accidentally pulled from its bun at the top her head, the ribbon left behind, drifting fetchingly down her neck. Her chest was moving quickly with her breath, igniting that desire within him not to stop, to keep exploring each other.
“Being close to you like this does things to me,” he said. “It is difficult to keep the proper distance when I’m near you.”
She ran one finger down his jaw, looking fascinated by the rough feel of it. “I must confess to the same weakness.”
Down the hall, dramatically heavy footsteps were approaching, as if small feet were working quite hard to announce their presence, and they both dropped their hands to their laps at once. Felix looked at Sarah, who could not have been more obviously just kissed than if a sign were attached to her.
“Oh, silly me!” It was Juliet, calling from the hallway. “I’ve forgotten the tea. I’ll be back with Mrs. Beeton in two minutes!”
It was a kind way to tell them their alone time was ended, while still giving them time to put themselves back together.
Sarah looked flustered, tugging at her capped sleeves to straighten them.
“Your hair,” he said, gently tugging the ribbon until it came loose and handing it to her.
She stood quickly and moved to the mantle, where a mirror hung, and used it to reset her bun. If it looked a bit flatter and less tamed than before, it could be blamed on the heat of the day.
Right then, Juliet and Mrs. Beeton appeared in the doorway, finding a very proper distance between Sarah and Felix; Felix, sitting upright on the couch, and Sarah, who had made it to the other couch right before they entered.
“Tea!” Juliet said, and he knew her sharp eyes had noted their positions had switched, with each on the opposite couch. She grinned at the both of them, looking as proud as a peacock.
Mrs. Beeton served them all and took her leave.
“I’m glad you both came today,” Juliet said, on the couch next to Sarah. “I’m sorry for the false manner in which I lured you both here, but I just wanted to give you the chance to speak with one another.”
Sarah picked up her hand and squeezed it. “I’m grateful.”
Felix nodded, but couldn’t let his sister off the hook so easily. “Surely you could have told me the truth?” he said, arching one eyebrow. “I would have come.”
Juliet looked back at him without an ounce of shame. “Well, I couldn’t take the risk that you wouldn’t come, could I?” She sipped her tea. “I brought you both here so you could have time together. Sarah, you told me that your family has forbidden you to write to Felix. Well, now you don’t have to.”
Sarah smiled.
Juliet continued, “I’ll be direct, Sarah, because we’ve been friends for long enough that I think you’ll forgive me for it. Your family is acting remarkably boorish. You and Felix belong together, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful future together once they come to their senses.”
“If they do,” Sarah said, looking down into her untouched tea.
“We will make sure they do, won’t we, Felix?” Juliet said.
He caught Sarah’s eyes. “I meant what I said. I will not let this go until they do.”
Sarah’s eyes lightened in response and she nodded, finally taking a sip of her own tea.
“Until they do come to their senses, I thought the two of you could meet here.” Juliet’s tone was highly casual, her eyes out the window, as if she were suggesting something simple and straightforward and not clandestine meetings between two unattached members of theton.“You can visit here, in the drawing room, with me as a chaperone. And your mother and brother never even need to know that Felix is here as well.”
Sarah twisted her fingers in her lap. “Though I do not agree with them, I hate to lie.”
