Page 17 of His Lordship's True Lady
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “She mustn’t see you.” His hand cradled the back of Lily’s head, and though he’d taken her by surprise, Lily had sense enough to remain in his arms.
Heavenly choruses, he knew how to hold a woman. Everything lined up as nature intended, and Lily nearly screeched with the frustration of not embracing the earl in return. She kept her arms at her sides, lest any part of her be visible from the corridor.
“I know you’re here somewhere,” Lady Humplewit cooed. “No need to be shy, my lord. We’re both adults and know what we’re about.”
Grampion had wrapped one arm about Lily’s waist. The other held her so her forehead rested against his chest. She was entirely supported, entirely hidden from view, and entirely undone.
He pressed closer, so they were both shielded behind the loose drape. Lily breathed in the scent of him—shaving soap that hinted of cedar, lavender from a freshly laundered shirt, a whiff of starch from his cravat, and mint from his toothpowder.
He was particular about his hygiene, and his height came with a good deal of muscle. He was warm too, a lovely pleasure after the chilly garden. Lily relaxed against that warmth as the footsteps faded.
“Thank God,” Grampion muttered.
And still, he did not let Lily go, and neither did she try to leave his embrace.
* * *
Lily Ferguson was lovely to hold. The male part of Hessian’s brain, which he’d ceased paying attention to within a year of his marriage, didn’t notice Lily’s curves and softness so much as it consumed them like a beggar devours a feast.
Her shape—diminutive, but unmistakably an adult female in great good health—made a general impression while Hessian reacquainted himself with details of female anatomy long forgotten. The nape of a woman’s neck was exquisitely soft beneath the pad of his thumb, and the back of her head fit his palm as if his hand were made for that purpose.
She could turn slightly and allow a more snug fit of his body to hers, and where his chest was flat, hers was… not.
Soft, full, feminine… Hessian had wrapped the lady close lest his hands wander where they must not.
Lily’s lack of height was a revelation. The first Countess of Grampion had been tall and willowy, exuding an aura of frailty, for all her determination to wed him. Hessian had feared mishandling her and then lost any interest in handling her at all.
He had lost interest in turning Lily Ferguson loose.Small but mightycame to mind, for her shape was quintessentially feminine. She remained quiescent in his embrace as the threat of discovery faded and silence returned.
Hunger was a problem solved with a meal. The feelings plaguing Hessian spoke of deprivation so long entrenched as to wrench normal reactions from his grasp. He wanted to swive Lily Ferguson, and he wanted to hide her away at Grampion Hall through a succession of long, passionate winters.
Which would not do.
Just as he might have let go of her, she hugged him. “You’ve had a fright. Perhaps I underestimate Lady Humplewit’s intentions where you are concerned.”
Lily couldn’t step back because of the wall. Hessian let her go, and rather than drop his gaze to locations a gentleman didn’t study, he put his hands in his pockets and admired Apollo’s toes.
“Lady Humplewit claimed to be in search of diversion, though I suspect becoming my countess would fit that description for her.”
Lily moved away from the wall. “You are not in search of diversion. I like that about you. I’m prone to the same shortcoming.”
Hessian wanted to wrap his arms around her again. “To regard life as a gift to be cherished rather than an endless, privileged boredom to be endured is a shortcoming?”
Lily twined her arm with his. “I suspect we have more than those two options, and we might be able to cherish the gift while occasionally indulging in a morning on a pirate ship.”
Arousal never did much to improve a man’s intelligence, though it could certainly sharpen his senses. “I beg your pardon?”
“Had you forgotten I’m bringing Bronwyn to play with Daisy tomorrow?”
Holding Lily, Hessian had forgotten where Cumberland was. “I will look forward to your visit.” He’d count the hours. “Shall we return to the garden?”
“Yes, for I must take my leave of our hostess, and you must attachyourself to some old fellow who needs a sympathetic ear regarding his gout. Colonel Dingle is reliably infirm. The widows will avoid his company, and thus you’ll be safe.”
Hessian promenaded along, when he wanted instead to stick his head out the window and shout,I cannot play this role!
Could not dodge widows, dance with debutantes, and deal with society’s expectations for three more months.
Neither, however, could he continue to neglect the earldom’s succession. Worth had put the Kettering finances to rights, more or less, but as Worth had pointed out, even with both brothers applying themselves to the challenge, nothing guaranteed a son would be born.
