Page 27 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
Her eyes were hooded and dark, the curiosity fading into confidence as she watched his reaction. Pandora’s lips moved over his, her touch as soft as rose petals. A surge of fondness accompanied the heat in his chest. He was oddly proud of her for taking this step.
Despite knowing he had to move slowly, his hands came up on their own accord to circle her waist. Her lips paused on his, and he tilted his head to give her a different angle. She took up the invitation, caressing his chest as she deepened the kiss.
Pandora sighed and the hand at the base of his skull tightened in his hair. The action brought an involuntary groan and Emmett, and his carefully maintained control slipped a little further. He licked her lower lip before sucking it into his mouth, and she gasped.
Her other arm encircled his neck, and he took that as permission to pull her onto his lap. The effect she was having on him was obvious in the way the blood flowed to his lower regions, but if she noticed she made no sign of it. She experimentally moved her tongue and Emmett made a pleasing sound.
More contact, he needed more of her. Emmett manipulated her hips so she was straddling him, and this time he was sure she noticed his arousal. She shifted her hips against his, eyes opening as she pulled back.
“Pandora,” sighed Emmett as he turned his attention to the slim column of her neck. He ran kisses down her jaw before sucking on the thin skin of her neck, alternating with nips that brought shocked gasps from Pandora. He nuzzled her, soothing his nips with more kisses as he held her firmly against his arousal.
“Emmett, what if someone sees us,” said Pandora in a raspy voice.
He ran his hot tongue down to her collarbone and kissed down to the tops of her breasts. “Let them see.”
“Emmett, stop, I hear footsteps,” said Pandora as she wiggled in his lap.
Emmett groaned and grasped her hips to hold her still. “Pray stay still unless you mean to take this seduction further.”
Pandora squeaked and wiggled again, and Emmett growled into her breasts as he pulled down the pale fabric of her dress. But before he could achieve his prize, he heard the footsteps she was talking about. With a frustrated groan, he released her and crossed his legs to hide his arousal just in time. Rose rounded the corner, her eyes widening as she spotted them on the bench.
“Emmett! What are Earth are you doing out here? Grandmother is looking for you.” Rose’s eyes slid back and forth from Pandora to Emmett, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. Pandora’s lips were as flushed as his no doubt were, and they were both panting. But for once he felt no shame. Pandora was his wife, and he had every right to kiss her, even if the gardens weren’t exactly an appropriate place.
“Rose, are you here alone?” asked Pandora, and Emmett’s eyes narrowed as he realized that his sister hadn’t brought an escort.
Rose looked away. “I only came out here for a moment.”
“What will people think if they spot you? Surely after my tale, you would know better than to be caught in the gardens alone. That is the stuff gossip is made from!”
Rose’s chin jutted out stubbornly. “You would know, wouldn’t you? And you aren’t my mother, you can’t talk to me like that.”
“Then let me say it,” said Emmett. “Rose, my darling sister. Don’t be a fool. Coming out here alone is not something a proper young lady should do! And listen to Pandora, she has experience in this area, as you’ve pointed out, and only wants to help you. Not every gentleman you come across will be as honest as I am.”
Pandora giggled into her hand and Rose glared at her. “Why do you laugh? My brother is honest!”
A smile tugged at the corner of Emmett’s mouth. “Rose, just let Pandora take you back into the ballroom. I’ll be along in a moment. Pandora, perhaps we can continue this conversation later?”
Pandora blushed bright red, drawing a curious look from Rose, but she stayed silent as she stood. “Come, let us get back inside.” She walked down the garden path without a backward glance, Rose trailing reluctantly in her wake.
ChapterThirteen
Pandora hurried through the ballroom as quickly as politeness allowed, curtsying and nodding her head in turn while making excuses to avoid conversation.
Her servants were waiting outside around the corner of the Manor with the rest of the coaches, and she hopped into her coach with a sigh of relief. Her footman shut the door behind her and the driver clucked to the horses.
She was off. Back to Ravenswood Manor. Back to her own party.
The coach jostled her from side to side as it exited the Willcrow Manor grounds and took off down the main road at a fair clip. She patted her hair, wishing she had access to a mirror. Letting Emmett kiss her– Well, kissing Emmett… that had not been part of tonight’s plans. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed it.
A blush stained her cheeks. Emmett certainly had. She had little experience with men but knew enough to know the signs of arousal. Part of her was proud that she could elicit such a response from him. He was clearly used to a more experienced kind of woman, so for him to want her–
The rest of her was confused. How had he gotten under her skin so easily? She held onto the seat as the driver clucked to the horses again, and the coach increased in speed until it was fairly flying down the dirt road toward Ravenswood Manor. She smiled. At least her servants knew her mind.
After what felt like an eternity, the coach pulled up in front of her Manor, and Pandora leaped out before the footman could open the door. She shot him an apologetic smile over her shoulder as she hurried up the steps, pausing only to pat at her hair once more.
The familiarity of the ballroom brought a smile to her lips. The red curtains, the candle-lit chandeliers; it was a beautiful room, built for a beautiful purpose. The guests were a mix of the young and unmarried, and their escorts. Mothers examined the dance cards of their daughters with critical eyes, and young men gathered at the sides of the room, only to be chided into action by their own mothers.
A familiar scene, all in all. But where was Edward? Pandora searched over the heads of her guests, smiling at those she recognized. She knew them all, of course. She wasn’t lying when she told Emmett she was well-connected. But some were more familiar faces than others.
