Page 55 of Wild Lily
She blushed so wildly he saw her face redden in the dim light of the kitchen.
He caught her chin and tipped her face up toward his. “I owe you the apology, Lily. And I am sorry. I should not have—”
“Please don’t. Don’t take it back.”
God, he loved her pluck. “I must. A gentleman does and I was rash.”
An impish light shone in her eyes. “The two of us, rash together?”
He ran his hand up her arm, wrapped his other arm about her waist and positioned himself flush against her. Whether from embarrassment or distress or damp clothes, she shivered. He put his lips to the crown of her head. “I enjoyed every second of our kisses.”
She groaned and shook her head, burying her face in his riding jacket. “More than.”
So much more. And worth every transgression.Even if now he must decide what those very acts implied. He planted his lips in her fragrant hair. “Dear Lily. You’ve done nothing more than I and I wouldn’t call myself a reprobate.”
She snorted.
He wished he could see her face, but he didn’t want to push his luck here. Not when he had a point to make. He resumed stroking her hair down her back. “I’ve wanted to kiss you, Lily, ever since I first saw you in bright sunlight in the Rue de la Paix. I concluded that my desire to do that was a whim, a bit of lust. I told myself my need would die if I no longer saw you, was nowhere near you to be tempted. But I’ve learned where you go, whom you visit. And I could not resist the lure. I’ve seen you. I’ve come near you, Lily, I’ve talked with you, laughed with you, ridden with you in the moonlight and my need to kiss you hasn’t died.”
She stopped shaking.
He cuddled her closer. “It’s become stronger. A living, breathing beast of a thing.”
She raised her face and her lips parted. He’d dare to say she was awed.
He’d awe her more if he could. “To know that you want me, too, was more than gratifying. It was exciting. I won’t tell anyone. We’ll return to the party and all day tomorrow, this will be our secret. Eh? What do you say?”
“You’d do that?”
“I tell you there’s no benefit in me telling anyone.”When I want you for myself.
She tried to laugh. “You’re not such a roué after all if you don’t want the world to know you ruined me.”
He sucked in air. “Well, first of all, I’m shocked I’m put at the level of a roué. My life has not been unblemished but still, my pastimes go more to cards than ruining American ladies who’ve done nothing more than kiss me.”
“I did more than that. I climbed into your lap and—and—”
Thrilled me.“Met me kiss for kiss.”
“Oh, don’t.”
He wrapped her closer, his arms tight about her. “Don’t worry, darling. We’re fine. You are. And no one will know. Not tonight or ever after. And that means that tomorrow night, we can ride again.” He pulled away, gazing down at her as if he were merely a long-lost friend. “You want to ride again properly tomorrow night, don’t you?”
She straightened up, nodding and smiling. “Oh, you know how to talk me around, don’t you?”
“I do hope so.”Might you agree with me on all matters?
She tipped her head. “Listen. The rain has stopped.”
“See that? The world is right again. You and I will run back to Carbury’s. No one will be the wiser.”
* * *
“I’ll take your riding clothes to warm in the sun, Miss Hanniford.” Her maid was a prune-faced English woman whom her father had hired four weeks ago. She had an eagle eye and the disposition of a fox. Lily didn’t trust her entirely, but hoped to earn her loyalty. The woman flung Lily’s damp garments over her arm. Her brown eyes held no expression, but the way she peered at Lily told her she wanted an explanation. For any confidence, the maid would have to wait a few weeks.
“Thank you, Nora.” Lily rose from her dressing table, every hair in place, ready to face those in the breakfast room. Even Julian. Especially Julian.
“And I’ll clean your boots, too, shall I?”
