Page 79 of The Baron Takes a Bet
While the debutantes being presented were restricted to white gowns and white plumage in their hair, Holly was permitted to wear any color she wished as a married woman. She debated wearing a lilac colored gown but was a devoted fan of green and chose a simple but exceedingly elegant pine green satin dress with a natural waist fitting. Holly felt rather beautiful.
Just as she finished donning her a la Grecque headdress, which was more of a thick band of fabric than a true headdress, Gavin came into her room without warning. Holly turned to see his attention entirely focused on his wrist as he tinkered with something.
“Bloody useless things,” he mumbled as he entered her room, the maids scurrying off. “Holly, might I have some help from…”
He looked up then and stopped in his tracks. Holly stood in all her finery as her breath caught. He watched her with the most intent stare, and as he approached her with deliberate steps, she half expected him to say something when his arms suddenly wrapped around her, pulling her against his chest as he kissed her.
She let herself be embraced, but after half a moment, she drew back.
“Stop. You’ll ruin my hair,” she chided, her skin warm with appreciation.
“I can’t help it,” he said, kissing her chin. “You’re a vision.”
“That’s very kind of you, but you needn’t say such things.”
Gavin paused in his handling of her and tilted his head.
“Why needn’t I?”
“Well, because…” she fumbled. “It’s not… It’s overt.”
A challenging smirk crossed his full lips as his hazel eyes gleamed.
“I think I shall call you a different version of beautiful every day, just to make you used to it.”
Holly’s cheeks warmed.
“I pray you do not.”
“But it’s so fun watching you change colors,” he said, kissing the rim of her cheekbone. “Do you know what I first found most attractive about you?”
Holly shivered.
“No.”
“Your voice,” he whispered into her ear.
“My voice? Oh, dear, no. It’s too deep.”
“Mm, no. I think it’s perfect.” He kissed her earlobe, and a jolt went through her. “It’s my favorite thing in the world when you say my name.”
“Is it?”
“Hmm.”
Holly smiled as his kisses trailed down her neck.
“Gavin,” she said gently, and he groaned against the pulse in her throat.
“Say it again.”
“Gavin,” she said, slower this time.
His fingers dug into her backside, crushing her gown as his mouth opened, his tongue trailing down the hollow of her neck. Frantic, she pushed him away before she completely lost control.
“We’ve already dressed, Gavin, please.”
He released her, breathing heavily. Evidently, his teasing had gone too far, and he now looked at her like she was prey.
