Page 9 of The Gentleman's Seduction
“They aren’t silly,” Livvy argued, then stopped herself.
I shouldn’t speak back to him. The last thing I need is to anger him.She could see from his build that he could easily hurt her if he grew angry, yet she sensed he wouldn’t use his body against hers, but rather this words.
Eyes fixed on her, his lips formed a firm line before he spoke. “I won’t hurt you, Miss Hartwell, if that is what you fear. Feel free to speak your mind. I have never liked quiet church mice for my mistresses.”
Livvy was many things, and while she was not a chattery creature, she was not a church mouse either. “Perhaps you should read it, Mr. Banks. A Gothic novel can be thrilling, and this author is excellent.”
He flipped the book open and read a paragraph before closing it. “Ah, but if I take this and read it, you will lose your only friend. Why don’t I show you to the library? You may choose another book to keep you company while I borrow this one.”
Livvy’s throat tightened as she followed him. The library, which was actually a bedchamber converted to a world of stories, was only three doors down from her chamber and far bigger than she expected. Floor-to-ceiling shelves filled the walls, each one stuffed with books. A pair of chairs and a reading table sat close to a fireplace. It was a cozy and inviting room. She moved immediately to the shelves and searched the titles until she found a book that she had read once before:Northanger Abbeyby Jane Austen. It was a satire on Gothic novels, but tonight she found herself very much in need of the comfort of the young heroine, Catherine Moreland.
Banks joined her at the shelf, the heat of his body close to hers. “What have you chosen?” he asked.
She tensed, expecting him to touch her. When didn’t she turned around and faced him.
Why did he have to be so handsome?
“Well?” he asked more softly. His eyes lowered to her lips, and she hastily raised the book between them like a shield. He took it from her, examining it.
“Austen? Not a bad choice.” He gave the book back to her.
“Austen is a wonderful writer,” she argued, finding his praise of her far too faint.
He leaned one shoulder against the shelf beside her, his smile widening. “I agree.”
Livvy slipped away, not at all liking that her body flushed with heat whenever she was so close to him.
“May I retire for the night?” she asked, not looking at him.
“Come here first.”
Heart hammering, she returned to stand before him. Banks lifted his hand to cup her chin.
“I shall steal one goodnight kiss from you. If you do not like it, you’re welcome to slap me. I won’t be angry with you, I promise.” He curled his other arm around her waist, pulling her into him so their bodies pressed close together.
She closed her eyes and felt his lips cover hers. His warm, rich scent teased her nose. She’d never been kissed and didn’t know what to expect, but it felt…pleasant. More than pleasant. The light coaxing of his mouth on hers made her chest tighten and her heart flutter with a strange excitement. When his tongue traced the seam of her lips, she gasped in surprise. He used that to his advantage and slipped his tongue inside her mouth. A shocking flash of heat shot through her, and it felt as though the earth itself trembled with her. Her knees buckled, and he held her.
The book in her hand dropped to the floor, and she clutched his shirt. A feeling she only barely understood pulsed within her. His tender kiss turned harder, just enough that she could feel the power of being trapped in his arms. She didn’t mind it, not even as he kissed her ruthlessly. There was a dreamlike feel to this moment, and she didn’t want to return to reality to face the fact that she’d enjoyed kissing the man who’d blackmailed her into being his mistress right before Christmas.
Their lips broke apart. A shiver rippled through her, but it wasn’t from fear. How could he kiss her like that and make her yearn for more? She wanted to hate him and his touch, but she didn’t.
Banks cupped her face in his palms. “You taste so sweet and innocent. It makes me ache,” he said in a low, silken voice that made her senses stir to life.
“I…” But she didn’t know what to say.
“Yes. We shall do very well together.” He bent, retrieved her book, and placed it in her hands. “Now, off to bed before I change my mind.”
Livvy turned and fled the library, racing back to her room. She jolted at the sight of a maid with a tray by her bed.
“Didn’t mean to startle you, miss,” the maid said in a Scottish accent. She had beautiful red hair with curly tendrils escaping her bun, and merry blue eyes. She had a tray of food that she set on the table close to Livvy.
“It’s quite all right. I simply wasn’t expecting anyone. You took me by surprise.” She set the book on the bed and eyed the tray of food. Her stomach rumbled loud enough that the maid heard it.
She giggled. “I thought you might be hungry, miss. I brought soup, a bit of meat, cheese, and some wine. I’ll just unpack for you.”
“Thank you, um…”
“Mellie.”
