Page 20 of Season of the Scoundrel
Ivy turned to him, gripped his upper arms and tugged him so that his back was toward the door. He moved as she directed, though his brow had pinched as he stared at her like she’d lost her wits.
Then she stepped closer, as close as they’d been two days ago on Fleet Street. She reached up to wrap her hand around his nape.
“Put your arms around me,” she whispered.
“Ivy…” He did as she bid, but his tone was gruff and full of warning.
As the doorknob turned, she arched up onto the toes of her shoes and pressed her lips to Blackbourne’s.
His mouth was warm, softer than she expected, and the way he tightened his arms around her made her feel safe in such an awkward and unexpected moment.
He took no advantage of the moment. Just held her, almost protectively, and brushed his lips against hers.
“Forgive us, Blackbourne,” a man’s voice called out. “We thought we’d found an empty room.”
Blackbourne immediately lifted his head and glanced over his shoulder. “Give us a moment, will you?”
Ivy heard the mix of a man’s and a lady’s low chuckles and then the door slid shut again.
“I don’t think they saw you,” he said quietly.
Ivy suspected the same. Blackbourne was tall and his body wide enough to block her from their view. The harder part would be leaving the study without being seen.
“I’m going to climb out the window,” she told him.
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “What are you talking about?”
“They’ll see me if I go back into the hallway.”
Blackbourne loosened his hold but didn’t release her, then glanced toward the door.
“Allow me to check the hallway before you fling yourself from a window.” He stepped away from her, opened the door quietly, then stuck his head out and looked both ways.
“The couple has either entered another room or returned to the gathering.” Blackbourne reached a hand back, urging her forward. “Make haste before someone comes along.”
Ivy still worried she’d been seen. Not for her own reputation. She was well on her way to becoming a spinster, but the twins would prepare for their first Season in a handful of years. She wouldn’t wish to tarnish the family’s reputation for their sake.
Ivy lifted the front edge of her gown a bit and rushed out into the hallway, looking behind her to make sure no one watched. She didn’t see anyone and slowed her steps as she approached the drawing room.
Lily immediately rushed forward. “Ivy, where have you been?”
“I…decided I needed a breath of fresh air and went out to the garden.”
Lily’s eyes held a sheen, as if she was truly concerned. “I hope that’s true.”
“Of course it is. I’m sorry to have worried you.”
Lily squeezed Ivy’s hands, then drew in a sharp breath when Blackbourne strode into the drawing room a moment later. A titter of conversation seemed to stir at his arrival. Ivy noticed several of the guests glancing at her and then at the duke. Her stomach began to churn with worry.
“You were gone at the same time,” Lily whispered. “And for a good long while. Gossip has already begun.”
“Gossip?” But Ivy knew what her sister implied even as she asked.
“There’s talk that you and Blackbourne were having an assignation.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Ivy saw Griffin approach Blackbourne, her brother-in-law’s expression grim.
“Why is Griffin speaking to him?”
