Page 76 of Scandalous Heiress
“You mustn’t.”She shook her head.“It’s not allowed.Not until…unless…”We are engaged.She bit her lip.“Not permitted.”
He moved nearer, his cologne of bergamot and lemon enchanting her.“I missed you.”
Her pounding heart thumped to a stop.She could admire his eyes forever and never tire.“That you must not say.”
“If I cannot do this and cannot say that, what would you have me do?”
Her gaze fell to his marvelous mouth.
“Oh, my darling, I definitely cannot do that.”
She burned to have him say or do whatever he wished.But she took a large drink of her tea and gulped it down.
He set his jaw and surveyed the room.“I say, it is rather warm in here.Yes?Shall we stroll in the garden?I understand the countess has prize roses one must see to believe.”
A warmth gush of desire swamped her.Prudence demanded she be wise.“We’ll stay to the path.”
“In sight of all.”He shot to his feet and put out his hand.
She grasped it as if it were a lifeline.
“My dear Miss Hanniford,” he said as they rounded the doors and passed two other strollers, “how wonderful you look in that ice blue gown.”
“My lord, how marvelous you look in that green waistcoat.”
He tucked her arm through his.“Forgive me for not writing these past few days.”
“Where have you been?”Dear god.She sounded like a fishwife.
“In Brighton.”
“Brighton?”Had he been on holiday while she pined for him like a schoolgirl?
“That would be my constituency.”
Ohhh!“I love Brighton.My father has his country house there.”
“I know.I met with him two days ago.”
What had they discussed?Her?
“It was business.Politics, really.He was among friends.His.Mine.”He paused by a tall topiary.“We discussed my chances.”
“And?”She clasped her hands.“Would they want you?”
The boyish delight that lit his handsome face made him years younger.“I do believe they might.”
“That’s wonderful.”She wanted to hug him.
He narrowed his gaze on her mouth.“I wish I could hold you.”
She spun to one side.“Don’t do that.Not here.”
“Darling, thereisnowhere else.”
Her eyes fluttered closed.The mere memory of his arms around her intoxicated her.“You must be more discreet.”
“Sweetheart, I’m as discreet as a man can be when I wish only to carry you away.”
