Page 7 of Lady Elizabeth's Winter Stranger
He blinked as if he came back from somewhere far away, and a tinge of color edged those spectacular cheekbones.“You have golden hair,” he said softly.“I wondered.”
Elizabeth had played a part in Cumbria’s local society since she was seventeen, and she’d enjoyed a string of London seasons.Through those years, she’d received a thousand compliments, most of them considerably more flowery than this.In fact, it wasn’t even a compliment.Not really.More a statement of fact.Perhaps it felt like a compliment because of Tom’s rapt expression.Nonetheless, he wasn’t the only person blushing.
“I…” she started, at a loss for an answer.
“Come on!”Cyril said from above, breaking the spell.
“You should start climbing before you freeze to death,” she said.
“And before Cyril writes a letter to theTimescomplaining about the poor standard of rescuer in this day and age.”Tom turned toward the tree.Elizabeth’s heart, that had shown a lamentable urge to stop altogether, started up again.
Only to begin racing when her gaze dropped to the narrow hips under the tight buckram breeches.That arse – or bum, as Cyril would put it – was fascinating.Tight buttocks that flexed with every step.Her hands closed to fists at her sides, as if they curved around that taut flesh.
Good heavens, she’d had no idea that a man’s body was quite so interesting.
What the devil was her problem?She was a sophisticated woman.She didn’t go around ogling attractive men and their rippling hindquarters.Except it seemed that she did.
Without warning, Tom glanced back at her and her color surged once more, as she hurriedly fixed her gaze on Cyril.Had Tom noticed her wanton attentions to his rear?How humiliating if he had.
“Will you be ready to take him once I get him down far enough?”The question was serious, the tone wasn’t.It reminded her how much she liked that warmly amused baritone.Although perhaps not just after he’d caught her leering at him.“Miss?”
She started and made herself look at him.“Of course.”
At least he didn’t know her name or anything about her.With a bit of luck, he was only passing through London and she’d never have to see him again.That was altogether the best outcome for today and its adventures.
She needed to tell herself that again and mean it this time.
“Come on!”Another fall of snow hinted that Cyril was getting impatient.
“You need to get him before he breaks his neck,” she said, hoping that concentrating on the matter at hand would divert Tom from herfaux pas.
“I think that’s a good idea.”
If she was trying to distract Tom from her gaffe, and she was, even she could tell it was an abject failure.Laughter sparkled in his gray eyes.He’d definitely noted her curiosity about his body.
Her voice emerged high and breathy.“What do you want me to do?”
She ventured nearer, near enough to catch the scent of his skin in the sharp air.She’d been close to men before, dancing or in carriages or walking arm in arm.She might be yet to choose a husband, but she’d thoroughly enjoyed a few flirtations.
Standing just behind Tom, she shouldn’t be bowled over by the spicy scent teasing her nostrils.It wasn’t as if he didn’t smell like most other men she knew.At least the ones who took care about bathing regularly and wearing fresh linen.
There was the smell of leather and clean male skin and a tinge of the outdoors.It was a mystery that in Tom, this banal mixture should combine to create a perfume as heady as any priceless blend from the Orient.
He turned to her with another smile.“Wish me luck.”
The smile started up the flutters inside her again.“Good luck.”
His attention narrowed onto her face.She noted his sudden tension.The air gave an odd shimmer, as if the world held its breath.Elizabeth even had time to move away.
She didn’t want to move away.
So she remained just where she was.She might even have leaned forward when he bent his tousled head and brushed his lips across hers.
There was a surge of tempting heat.Then the contact was over.
She released a soft sigh as he drew away, sorry it ended so soon.It seemed she was a hussy.It wasn’t her first kiss.But it was the first kiss in a long time that left her hungry for more.
“Hurry up!”Cyril insisted from above them.“There’s no time for all that slop.”
