Page 27 of Stolen by My Knave
“Do you require an escort?”
Did he imply she couldn’t find her way to her chamber? What nonsense. “Not at all, my lord.” She smiled warmly. “I’m familiar with the way and can find it myself.”
“I didn’t mean to suggest you couldn’t.” He frowned. “I thought perhaps you’d like the company.”
Elizabeth was appalled. Hell no, she didn’t want him around longer than he had to be. She really needed to let him down easily and have him move on. Lady Bianca was interested in him. Why couldn’t he latch on to her and leave her be? What did she have that attracted him so adamantly?
“I’d rather go alone.” She lifted her hand and brushed it over her hair. “Perhaps Lady Bianca would appreciate your offer though. She keeps looking our way.”
Lord Redmayne glanced toward Lady Bianca and frowned. Did he not find her lovely? She was, in Elizabeth’s opinion, quite beautiful. She had ebony locks that shined in the candlelight and brilliant green eyes. The earl would be lucky to have such a beautiful woman as his wife. She was probably quite a bit more docile too. Tame was not a word that could be used to describe Elizabeth in any way. She was outspoken, stubborn, and quite set in her ways.
“If you’re certain?” Lord Redmayne glanced back at her. “I’d hate to abandon you.”
“You would be doing no such thing.” She nodded toward Lady Bianca. “Go and see if she’s receptive. I believe you will find she is.”
“I bid you good night then,” the earl said with a quick bow. “Until we meet again.”
“Good evening, my lord.”
The earl spun on his heels and headed toward Lady Bianca. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. That went better than she could have hoped. Perhaps he was starting to see that Lady Bianca was a better option for him. He couldn’t do better than her.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and left the ballroom. She would go to the library first and explore her options for reading. The last time she’d been in the room she hadn’t found a book to her liking. She’d read a lot of the Earl of Clifton’s books already and hadn’t felt up to re-reading any of them. The ones that had interested her were already in the Duke of Whitewood’s possession. If she hadn’t recommended them, maybe they’d still be available. Although Jack did seem to be enjoying them... She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d finished one. Then she’d have something to occupy herself with and she could quiz him on his thoughts about it.
She was lost in thought as she walked down the hallway heading toward the library. There were other Jane Austen novels on the shelf. Perhaps she’d read about Elinor inSense and Sensibilityor evenEmma. Both were good—just not as wonderful as her favorites. Then a thought occurred to her, Jane Austen must have really liked names that began with the letter E—Elizabeth, Emma, Elinor...
She was giggling to herself when she entered the library. Why had that never occurred to her before? Maybe she should look through them all and see how many followed that pattern. It would give her something to do and perhaps tire her out enough to sleep. Reading in itself didn’t sound all that appealing.
“By all means, share what you find so funny.”
Elizabeth turned and met Jack’s gaze. With that one look, her whole body filled with heat. How had she gone her entire life without feeling this before? This had to be what her mother referred to as lust. She wanted Jack, and it was becoming increasingly clearer each time they met that he desired her too. The question was what did she intend to do about it?
“I don’t believe I will.” He was so bloody gorgeous. Elizabeth wanted to trail her fingers through his golden blond hair. What would he do if she gave into the impulse? Would he pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless? She wanted to feel his lips on hers and discover what passion really was. Maybe there was a way for her to have that. He did still owe her a boon of her choosing. She wanted a kiss—a real one. She tilted her head and chewed on her bottom lip. How should she play this? “I have something much more interesting in mind.”
“By all means, do share,” Jack encouraged. “And please, I beg you, make it as titillating as possible.” His eyelids lowered seductively. He was fully engrossed in their shared barbs. If she wanted, she probably could have more than a kiss. Did she want to push them both over the edge and give in to their equal desire? Maybe. One thing at a time—after she felt his lips on hers, she’d make a decision as to the rest. The last time she’d dared to kiss him he’d run in the other direction.
“Perhaps...” She moved closer to him and glanced up into his eyes. His heat drew her in and swallowed her whole. “How delectable it is depends on how much you’re willing to give.” She lifted her hand and trailed her fingers over his waistcoat. “I’d like to claim my winning from our chess match. Are you ready to settle our bet?”
“I’d never renege on a bet,” he replied. “Name your desire and it’s yours.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and then licked her lips slowly. This was it. All she had to do was demand he kiss her and she’d finally have what she’d been craving. Why was she hesitating? Surely he wouldn’t say no... She batted her eyelashes coquettishly and said, “Show me you’re not afraid.”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” he replied. “I’m more than willing to prove it. Do you need me to slay some imagined dragon?”
If he was referring to his penchant for denial and escape—yes, she did. He needed to destroy it and make sure it never crawled between them ever again. “I’m interested in a more personal encounter. Any battles we need to engage in can wait until another day.” She lifted her hand and caressed his cheek. “What I need from you is much simpler than that. Kiss me as if we’ll never have the opportunity again.” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow challenging him. “Or is that too much for you to handle?”
“Minx,” he replied. “Coyness doesn’t become you.”
That wasn’t a no...Please stay this time.
“And something else does?” She lifted a brow. She so did enjoy sharing barbs with him. “By all means, please enlighten me.”
Jack lifted one of his hands and trailed his fingers lightly down her cheek. His gaze never left hers as he continued to touch her. She shivered involuntarily, but kept her focus on him. His eye seemed to promise that what he had in mind she’d find exciting and quite pleasurable. Elizabeth wasn’t so sure she should allow him so many liberties, but oh did she want to.
“I’m not certain you’re ready for all I could teach you.” He lifted his other hand and wound it around her waist. “But I find I don’t care.”
He lowered his head and placed his lips on hers. The spark ignited into a flame so hot it burned through both of them. Elizabeth’s lips parted and he took full advantage. Jack pushed his tongue into her mouth and tasted the inside. She tentatively touched her tongue to his and gasped at the pleasure. So this was why kissing was frowned upon—it was too decadent when done right. Jack pulled her tighter against him and deepened the kiss. Elizabeth moaned with pleasure.
Surely there was nothing better than kissing. Especially when he brought on a pleasure so intense she was quite sure she forgot her own name...
