Page 59 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
This time, no matter what she did to subtly create space, he persisted in keeping them close. Barring an arched back or a slap to his face, she was stuck.
Then as their movements continued, as the waltz progressed, she just really wanted it to end. He pulled her up against him for a moment and then let her go to a more respectable space. “We could have some fun together, indulge in our baser desires. I don’t expect you to want a declaration from me, but there is nothing wrong with a hidden encounter or two. No one has to know.” He searched her face, his handsome eyes growing closer to her own. Then his finger ran along her bare skin. She shrugged him off. Nothing about his attempts to win her over had any of the earlier effects. She felt only disgust and a desire to move along to the next partner as soon as possible. It was men like him who likely sent women like Miss Penny in search of an honorable rescue.
But he would take no subtle hints. Nothing she did sent him away. They danced in a darker portion of the floor, moving toward a pillar and potted plants. The seclusion might be her opportunity to make a more exaggerated escape as they were likely to garner less attention in this corner.
But he apparently viewed it as his opportunity as well. As soon as they were in the shadows, his grip tightened, and he pulled her tight up against him. With her arms pinned beneath his, she could do little to squirm away. And her only recourse now would be to shout. But such an action could very well ruin her and her opportunity to make a positive influence with any of these people again.
She sighed. “Unhand me.”
“I know you want to be kissed. You’ve flirted right back with me. Just relax a little so we can see if we suit.”
She shook her head, astounded that her earlier thoughts about kissing could be twisted in an ugly way coming from his mouth. “I already know we don’t suit. Stop. Go find someone who is your equal.”
But his face turned more ugly than handsome. His hand went up into her hair and gripped the back of her head.
She was at his mercy. He was going to kiss her. And she could do nothing about it.
The strongest thought, her greatest feeling of regret was that now, all the beauty of her kiss with Lord Lockhart would be erased by such a miserable human, such a horrible experience. She winced, pressed her lips together and closed her eyes.
But then Lord Wessex released her, and softer, more familiar arms cradled her.
She opened her eyes. “Wilfred.”
“Charity.” His intense eyes were full of love, caring, concern. “Are you well?”
She nodded. “Now I am. Oh, thank you.” She looked around. Lord Wessex turned a corner, rubbing his face. “Did you hit him?”
“Just enough. He’ll be fine.”
“I’m not worried one ounce for that miserable version of a human. He was going to force himself.” She choked, her words caught in her throat, and she realized she was much more affected than she had thought.
But he pulled her closer. “I’m sorry. I should have been here sooner.”
She shook her head against him. “Not your fault. Where have you been? I never know where you go at these balls.”
“I was ending all relations with Miss Penny.”
She jerked her gaze up to him. “You were?” Dare she hope? Did that make her a bad person? Oh, she wanted him, more than life itself.
“Yes, you see, if he’d kissed you, yours would not be the first lips he’d tasted this evening.”
She gasped as the realization of what he meant sunk in. “Miss Penny?”
“Yes, and a most passionate example of what those two are capable of together.”
“Together? Do you think they will make a go of it?”
“They will.”
She studied him. “How can you be sure?”
“I’ve exerted some influence over his debtors, and after seeing his and Penny’s shameless attempts to be together in front of all and sundry, decided they are made for one another.”
She shook her head. “And her pains from the other evening?”
“She seems to be well and truly cured of them.”
“So, they’ll marry?”
