Page 39 of The Art of Sinning
A shiver shook her. It was the posing in private that she’d dreamed about all night. The kissing in private. The touching—
Heavenly day. She had to stop thinking about that!
Hoping to get a moment alone with Jeremy to explain last night’s absence, she hurried toward the breakfast room, but before she could reach it, an arm snaked out to pull her into an alcove.
It was him, wearing that stormy look that both alarmed and excited her. “We had a deal. You’re not holding up your end of it.”
“I know, and I’msosorry. I fell asleep. I’m not used to these hours.”
“Really?” A faint sneer twisted his lips. “So it had nothing to do with what happened our first night together, nothing to do with the words we exchanged yesterday morning before your brother interrupted us?”
“Certainly not!” She glanced furtively beyond him into the hall, but no one seemed to be nearby, thank heaven. Still, just to be safe she lowered her voice. “I intended to show up last night. And Ipromiseto show up tonight.”
His hand still gripped her arm, holding her so close she could smell coffee on his breath. “Do you swear it?”
“Yes. I’ll swear it on the Bible if you require it.”
He searched her face, then released her with an oath. “That won’t be necessary.”
“Good. Because you don’t seem the sort to carry around a Bible.”
His lips twitched. “No.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I suppose it was foolish of me to think you could spend all day and night posing.”
“It was only my rising early yesterday that made it difficult, I assure you. But from now on—”
“From now on we should meet every other night, so you can get a good night’s sleep in between.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Then your painting would take forever!” She thrust out her chin. “I can keep up these hours if you can.”
“I doubt that,” he said in a lazy drawl. “Such hours are normal for me.”
She winced. “Yes, I’m well aware of the dissolute life you lead.”
“That’s not what I meant.” His gaze turned brittle. “And to quote your ladyship, just because you and I shared a few kisses doesn’t mean that you know me. You have no idea what sort of life I lead.”
She was beginning to think that might be true. “Very well,” she said, assailed by an odd breathlessness, “why don’t you explain it to me?”
That seemed to take him off guard. The seconds stretched out as he stared at her, his eyes the vivid blue that had begun to haunt her dreams. His gaze drifted down to her lips and fixed there, making her heart flip over in her chest.
Then he jerked his gaze away. “No need. I won’t be here long enough for that to become necessary.”
The cold statement sliced through her, and she fought to hide her hurt. “Suit yourself. But then don’t blame me for not understanding you. I can hardly help it if you don’twantto be understood.” Sliding away from him, she walked out of the alcove. “I’ll see you in the music room after breakfast.”
He didn’t even try to stop her as she hurried off. And that annoyed her, though not nearly as much as his statement that he wouldn’t be around long. She shouldn’t expect anything more of him. Samuel had never stuck around with any of his mistresses. The lieutenant hadn’t even stuck around after he’d kissed her.
Of course, that was because Samuel had nipped the scoundrel’s plans in the bud—but still, men had a tendency to run off when things didn’t go their way. Or after they got what they wanted from a woman.
But Jeremyhadn’tgotten what he wanted. He hadn’t bedded her. He’d barely even kissed her. Though perhaps seduction wasn’t what he’d wanted at all.
An exasperated breath escaped her. She didn’t really knowwhathe wanted, other than to paint some odd work about Commerce and Art and seething emotions she didn’t really understand. And to lecture her on who he thought she was.
Presumptuous fellow. Sheknewwho she was. She just didn’t know whohewas. Not really.
Perhaps that was the problem. Perhaps if she could find out more about him she could better understand his situation. Why he’d left America. What he was running away from. Why he was so angry about his family trying to drag him back to his home.
Fortunately, at breakfast Edwin gave her the perfect opening for her questions as he thumbed through the mail. “Strange. I’ve received something from Lady Zoe.”
“Mr. Keane’s cousin?” She glanced at Jeremy. “Perhaps it’s word of his family’s arrival.”
