Page 5 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
“Miss Avery, this is quite a surprise from a lady such as yourself.”
Kate closed her eyes. Her heart beat so loudly that she could scarcely hear his voice. She took a deep breath and moved slowly toward him.
“Your note was quite scandalous. Not something an honorable woman—” Whatever he was about to say was left unsaid as Kate stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him with all of the passion she had been containing for years.
The rake reached out and pulled her to him. His hand entwined itself in her chestnut brown curls. His lips responded to hers and drank in the sweetness of her lips. He pulled back slightly and nipped gently at her bottom lip before pressing himself against her again. Kate felt a stirring in her private region that she had never experienced before. She felt a quickening in her bosom as his hands found her waist and traced the outline of her hips through her gown.
He pulled away from her. “We must stop before we go any further. You will be ruined if we see this plan through.”
“I don’t want to stop. I wish to experience a night of passion with you. Would you deny such a request?” Kate whispered. She tilted her head and exposed the soft, white curve of her neck and shoulders.
With a groan, the rake leaned down and traced the line of her collarbone with his lips, eliciting a shudder from Kate. She felt herself grow moist as his lips traced their way back up her neck to her lips before capturing her mouth with his.
When he pulled away once more, it was Kate that groaned in frustration. “Why must you deny me? Was this not the whole point of our meeting? I did not expect a rake such as yourself to be so reserved.”
“My Lady, do not underestimate what I am capable of. I can provide such pleasure of which you have only dreamed.” His voice was low and husky.
Kate, emboldened by his kisses, reached out and pulled the cravat from his neck. Then slowly, she unbuttoned each button on his linen shirt until his chest was bared to her smoldering gaze. She leaned forward and mirrored his early movements by kissing his collarbone.
The rake scooped her up and pressed his body against hers as his lips once more found Kate’s. His tongue intertwined with hers and a moan escaped from deep within her. His hands cupped her bosom, and she felt her nipples harden beneath his touch. When he finally released her, Kate found she was breathless.
“I would have you continue, please, sir. I beg of you to deny me no longer,” Kate breathed.
The rake reached up and slowly pulled his mask from his eyes. Kate gasped; the air gone from her lungs.Andrew Fitzwilliam?!
“You scoundrel! How dare you—”
Andrew reached out and pulled her once more to him and pressed his hand over her mouth. In a low growl, he said, “I received the note you sent to that bounder, Lord Radford, asking for a night of pleasure. You are lucky that it was I who received it rather than him. He would see you ruined in the street after taking your maidenhood and breaking your heart.”
Kate pulled away from him and glowered. “Don’t tell me what I do and do not want. I am not one of your mistresses who need to be treated as a mindless possession. I am perfectly capable of managing my own affairs. If I wish to pursue a night of pleasure, then it is my choice to do so.”
Andrew couldn’t help himself. He let out a low laugh. “You’re right. Your affairs are not my business. If you wish to have your reputation ruined, I shall step aside and not interfere.”
Kate felt fury rise in her and she spat, “You are nothing but a fraud pretending to be concerned about my reputation. I am quite capable of discerning what I desire, and I’ll not have the likes of you interfere.”
“Hah! You know nothing about me, and I am quite content to allow you to do as you wish. I was trying to be a gentleman and protect your honor, but I see you are stubborn and unreasonable. A wholly undesirable quality in a woman.” Andrew smirked, knowing that his words would spark the fire in Kate’s eyes. He found himself quite enjoying sparring wits with her. It was unfortunate that she was too obstinate for her own good.
“Perhaps you prefer your women to hold no opinion. It is certainly understandable as you might fear their ability to outwit you.” Kate reared up on her tiptoes in an attempt to meet his gaze. If only she were taller, she could look him directly in his eyes.
Andrew’s eyes glittered dangerously, and he towered over her. Kate felt a small quiver of anxiety that she had overstepped. One side of his mouth lifted in a grin displaying a dimple on one cheek. Kate resisted the urge to reach out and touch it.
“My women, as you call them, are rendered speechless not by my wit, but by my touch. Shall I demonstrate once again?” His grin took on a wolfish quality and his dimple deepened.
Kate’s mouth opened, but she couldn’t find words. Finally, she sputtered. “Bounder and a cad! You, sir, are a disgrace to gentlemen.”
“Obnoxious creature.” Andrew glared. “I cannot spend another moment in your presence. I am leaving.”
“Good! I find you quite obnoxious, too, and I am leaving first.” She met his glare with one of her own. “I pray I shall never have the misfortune of your company again.”
Kate pushed past him and wrenched open the door not caring if someone saw her departing the chamber. She scurried down the hallway as fast as her legs would carry her without running until she was close enough to the ballroom to slow. She slowed her breathing and placed a hand on her bosom. For a moment, she flashed upon Andrew’s lips as they traced the curve of her neck down to her décolletage. She pushed the image from her mind. He was a horrible man, and she wished to forget this evening had ever transpired. Not even bothering to find Julia, Kate pushed her way through the throngs of guests and escaped into the cool night air and away from the disaster that had almost befallen her.
Several weeks later, Kate was unable to push away the memories of the night of the masquerade ball. She had immersed herself in preparations for Julia’s upcoming wedding, but it was to no avail. She was filled with both anger and desire. How could she have experienced such pleasure at the touch of so odious a man as Andrew Fitzwilliam? Perhaps she was wrong to think she could enjoy the touch of a man without consequences. No, she decided. She would remain a spinster and passion would have to belong to others. It was something she would deny herself rather than risk such embarrassment again.
Kate stroked her terrier’s wiry fur. “Tibbs you will remain my sole companion. You are much more entertaining and a better listener than any man I know anyway.”
She heard the sound of footsteps outside her study door. Julia must have arrived. She had sent a note that she would bring a gown for Kate to wear to the ceremony. She pushed aside her foul mood.
“Ah, Kate. Hard at work, I see.” Julia hurried in, her blue eyes sparkling, and her cheeks flushed from the cool autumn air. “Come walk with me through the gardens, so you might enjoy some of the beauty of the grounds rather than your dusty old tomes for a change.”
