Page 30 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
“Hate is a little strong. Distrusted you, certainly. Especially after you kissed me. I thought you were set out to ruin my reputation. That’s why I started the gossip column. I wanted to make sure what happened to me never happened to another young lady again.”
Emmett went still and silent, his eyes distant as he mulled over what she said. “I suppose that makes sense,” he said at last. “I imagine that applies to your matchmaking parties as well?”
“Just so. I wanted to protect the innocent young ladies who knew nothing of the world and worked hard to build a network of friends and a reputation that would allow me to continue this work. That’s why I asked if I could continue my matchmaking parties. I truly believe in the work I do.”
“I see,” said Emmett “I… will take that into consideration.” He grazed his thumb across her cheek again, though no more tears flowed. “Thank you for trusting me with this.”
Pandora blushed under his touch. “You aren’t the man I thought you were, you are far more honorable than I had any reason to suspect. Dalliances or no, I think you have a good heart.”
Emmett reached down to take her hands and drew her to her feet. His hand found her cheek again, and he leaned his head toward hers. Pandora let him, eyes sliding shut with a sigh as his lips found hers.
He was gentle, tender even, as he slid his lips across hers. His tongue flicked against her bottom lip, a request. Pandora’s lips parted, allowing him to roam. Pandora’s tongue was hesitant against his, experimenting and testing her own resolve as she played against Emmett’s tongue.
Emmett’s strong arm came around her waist, but he didn’t crush her to him as he did before. He simply held her, warm and steady, and something within her chest shuddered with longing. This was such a different kiss than before, Pandora scarcely knew how to react.
The kiss deepened as Pandora’s tongue grew bolder, drawing Emmett into a tangled battle that sent the heat in her body south. Emmett’s hand trailed down to her bottom and squeezed it, and she squeaked. He pulled back with a laugh.
“It’s not funny!” said Pandora with a pout.
“Certainly it is,” said Emmett, hand squeezing and massaging her bottom still. “You make the most adorable sounds.” His eyes darkened. “I would like to hear more of them.”
Pandora looked up at him through her eyelashes, conflicted. “You mean, you want to come back to my bed.”
“More than anything,” said Emmett in a fervent voice.
Pandora glanced away and chewed her bottom lip in thought. She had certainly enjoyed this kiss, and the one in the garden earlier. But to take him to bed? “It’s a big step, Emmett.”
“We’ll go slowly. You’ll control the pace. And I will make it worth your while, I promise you that.” Emmett’s eyes were dark with desire, and a thrill went through Pandora. He wanted her, he found her desirable. The sensation was surprisingly enjoyable.
She wanted him. Pandora couldn’t deny it. The way he made her feel was like nothing she had experienced before. She gave the tiniest nod. A grin blossomed on Emmett’s face, and he leaned down again to kiss her. Pandora forestalled him with a raised finger. “We have guests we should be attending to before you think of going any further.”
Emmett frowned before he nodded. “You are correct. But tonight, after they are gone, I will find you. And I will begin to show you why so many have been willing to dally with me.” The last he said with a wink, and Pandora blushed.
She pulled out of his arms and flattened her dress over her hips. “Come, Husband. Let us go down. We’ll show Lady Brexley that our marriage is legitimate.”
* * *
The rest of the evening passed with excruciating slowness. Emmett kept his hands on Pandora as much as possible, thoughts skating back to the garden and the way she had melted into his arms in the study. He wanted to taste her, to know all of her. Though after the kiss in the study, he suspected she may be more willing than even she knew.
He danced with the mothers and grandmothers of the few young ladies at his party, all smiles, and charm, and danced several times with Pandora, pulling her close as often as he could. He treated each blush and knowing look like a reward, something he had earned from her.
Like her trust. He hadn’t pressed when she told her tale of being left at the altar, but he was desperate to know the name of the cad who had dared break her heart and ruined her opinion of men to the point she had to start a gossip column.
Emmett blinked. When had he started to care about her heart? But he did, that much was clear to him. Her being hurt made him angry. Pandora had wormed her way into his heart in a way he never expected would happen.
Oh, it wasn’t love. He wasn’t fooling himself. But it was respect and a certain tenderness, and that was enough for a happy marriage. He could only hope she felt the same way.
He shook himself. What was he doing, mooning about while the conversation flowed around him?
His sister stood near their grandmother, eyes tired. She was watching Ashton again, and Emmett sighed. That was a match that certainly wouldn’t happen. Not only was Ashton uninterested in marriage, but he also viewed Rose as a sister of his own. He had known her since she was a babe, and though she was a woman now, he could never see her as such.
No, Rose was heading toward a broken heart if she continued down that path. Ashton may have to break it himself if she refused to let go of her infatuation on her own. His grandmother was in better spirits now that Ashton’s grandmother Edna had left, but the late hour was beginning to tire her. She sat in a chair at the side of the room and eyed the remaining guests with chilly eyes.
Emmett smiled and shook his head. His grandmother would never change. He smothered a yawn of his own, not wanting his guests to think he was tired, but it was too late. Lord Talbot yawned as well and motioned to a servant.
“Bring my coach around,” said Lord Talbot.
“At once, My Lord,” said the servant and a quick bow.
