Page 60 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
Patricia, Ivy, Godric, St George, and Renquist fumbled for small personal items to place into the box.
Millie stepped closer to Drake, speaking low enough that no one else heard her. ‘Thank you, Beau, but there’s no need to fight with Patricia. Her words are harmless.’ She bit her lip. She was lying about something, but exactly what mystified Drake. How could Patricia’s words possibly harm Millie? Unless Patricia knew something about his betrothed. Something Millie refused to tell him.
Like working with Philippa on some dangerous investigation.
It pained Drake to think Patricia knew more than him on any subject. But worse was the idea that she might hold a threat over Millie.
‘Her words might find her on the wrong end of my pistol if she isn’t careful. I owe her for every lash on your back.’ He wanted to reach out and touch her arm, reassure himself she was well, and near, and his.
But she isn’t mine. Nor am I hers. And that is agoodthing.
‘Trust me, she isn’t worth a murder conviction.’ Millie reached up and took an earring from her left ear. The intimacy of the movement had Drake aching in unusual places. His heart for one, as he imagined her completing such a simple task while preparing to join him in his bed. Which was where he wantedher. Not just to strip her naked and lick every delicious inch of her cream and cinnamon skin, but to hold her against him, to cradle her strong body with his, to press his nose into her hair and inhale her into him as if he could capture a fragment of her soul and keep it safe inside.
His heart didn’t flutter any more. It fractured. Every time she was near. And in the cracks and crevices, something terrifying leaked out.
It is just affection. Lust.
Helikedher. And that was the trouble. Because he also respected her, desired her, bloody-well admired the woman.
Fuck. I’m in trouble.
‘What will you put in the box, Major General Drake? A button, perhaps? Lint from your pocket?’ The teasing glint in her eyes caused his chest to tighten. God, she was breathtaking when she teased him.
Drake searched his pockets, but he didn’t even have a farthing. He was loathe to tear a button from his coat, so instead, he twisted off the signet ring that once belonged to his father.
Millie’s eyes grew wide. ‘Surely not, my lord. It’s far too valuable.’
‘My brother said family would never steal from each other. Let’s put his theory to the test.’
He watched as Millie’s body grew rigid. She patted down her skirt, fingered the gold chain around her neck, then worried at an opal ring on her middle finger. It was beautifully set in gold. ‘Perhaps you could borrow something of mine instead.’ She twisted the opal ring off. ‘Here. Take this.’
Drake shook his head. ‘I couldn’t possibly. It looks far too important.’
‘Not any more than your signet ring. It was a gift from my father when I was but five and ten. Please, take it. A keepsakefrom your fiancée. Surely, you won’t deny me the pleasure of giving you a gift.’
I can’t seem to deny you anything.
Which was a huge problem. He needed to keep his distance from her, but it was becoming more and more impossible.
‘Pleasure is the one thing I’d never deny you, Millie.’ He couldn’t stop the gravel in his voice or the thickening of his cock as he imagined all the ways he could repay her for such a sweet gift.
Lust. That is all. Once we get our fill of each other, the need will fade.
He still hadn’t forgiven himself for making the previous evening such an unmitigated disaster. After his brutish behaviour, he thought it best to give Millie some space despite urgent protests from certain appendages.
‘Truly, you are a wicked man.’ She lowered her gaze as her cheeks heated. He loved making her blush. And he was relieved she seemed to have forgiven him for his harsh words the night before. Perhaps he could put his theory to the test tonight. Indulging in his need for Millie, letting her do the same, surely that was the best way to purge himself of this incessant hunger.
‘Ah, Nora is back. Who has the box?’ Patricia’s green gaze swept across the room, landing on Drake and Millie.
Drake took the ring from Millie’s hand, savouring the sensation of his fingers brushing over hers. He dropped it in the box and shook the items around before walking over to Nora and handing the box to her. She licked her lips and smiled, her eyes offering an invitation he would never accept.
‘Right, let’s begin. I’ll guess which object belongs to each of you. If I’m right, you owe me whatever forfeit I choose. If I’m wrong, you get your item back. Ready?’ Nora’s gaze never left Drake, but he spun on his heel and reclaimed his place next to Millie.
Leaning closer to his betrothed, inhaling the scent of citrus and cotton, he whispered in her ear, ‘I see your game. She’s unlikely to guess that ring belongs to me. You devious woman.’
Millie’s warm eyes sparkled at him in the waning light. ‘Didn’t you claim all women are devious, my lord? I’m just hoping to live up to your expectations.’
Drake swallowed. He told Millie that, the night she lured him out to the veranda. How wrong he’d been about her! He wished they were alone, so that he could apologise to her for his cold behaviour on that night, and his far too heated behaviour last night. But Nora moved into the centre of the room and pulled out the first item. The game had begun.
