Page 13 of A Lady Igniting Wicked Passions
Arabella had both hands pressed over her mouth and her eyes were bulging with merriment. She had never felt so alive. Aaron grinned boyishly.
“You mentioned a wine cellar?” He prompted.
Taking his hand once more, Arabella led Aaron along the side of the house, taking care that none of the windows they passed had open curtains or were lit from within. Eventually they reached the hatch, set at the bottom of a short flight of steps, beneath the windows belonging to the east wing nursery.
The room had been closed up and disused since she and Helena had passed the age where they had a need for it. Reaching the hatch, Arabella slid back the bolt which held the hatch closed and then heaved on a wooden handle.
The hatch opened with a creak, revealing a stone ramp leading down into a black room. Reaching just inside the hatch, Arabella produced a small lantern and a tinder box. Aaron busied himself lighting the lantern and then ducked into the doorway.
Within was row upon row of casks, barrels, and bottles. The air was musty with the scent of old wood and unstirred air. Arabella walked past Aaron into the gloom. She walked confidently along the aisles formed by the wine racks and the rows of barrels and eventually reached a corner furnished with a battered chaise lounge, an ancient armchair whose upholstery was torn and faded and a polished but scarred table.
“My father’s secret refuge. Where he can sample the finest of his collection in private. I think that this evening he would like nothing better than to be in here while all of his guests are up there,” Arabella said.
She sat on the chaise, tucking one leg under her and putting her arm along the back. Aaron sat next to her, turning to face her. He put his arm along the back as well and their fingers touched.
“Very cosy,” Aaron said, stroking Arabella’s fingers with his own.
“Am I being seduced?” Arabella asked suddenly.
“I don’t know. I feel as though I am being driven by a sudden madness,” Aaron admitted.
“So, it is madness to kiss me?” Arabella replied.
“Not madness for almost any other man. But for the man betrothed to your sister…”
“And who needs her dowry, for reasons you have not explained,” Arabella said, withdrawing her hand an inch beyond his touch.
“For business dealings,” Aaron replied, reaching out further.
“Honest business dealings?” Arabella replied, pulling away.
“I am an honest man,” Aaron replied, an edge revealed in his voice.
Arabella considered him. Her heart was racing and she had never wanted to be touched so badly. He could have crushed her against the chaise, rushing in to claim her and she did not think she would have resisted. But now that they were alone and, in a place, where their presence together could not be explained away, caution was giving her pause. Desire warred with prudence.
“I believe you are,” she said finally. “You must understand why I would question, after hearing what you and your friend were saying.”
Aaron opened his mouth to respond but froze at the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps.
Chapter 8
Aaron’s heart leaped to his mouth at the threat of imminent discovery. The lust that had so coloured his reasoning to that point was now quelled by the realization that all his plans stood to be ruined if he and Arabella were discovered. He leapt to his feet, Arabella not far behind.
“It must be the servants fetching more wine. I thought my father would have had all the wine needed brought up before the ball started,” Arabella said in a hoarse whisper.
“Well, clearly your father’s guests drink far more than anticipated,” Aaron shot back.
He tried to gauge where the voices were coming from but the stone walls and vaulted ceiling made it difficult to judge. Arabella ran to the end of a rack and peered around, then motioned urgently to Aaron. Looking around he realized there was nowhere to hide and the sound of hurried footsteps were coming directly towards them. A bobbing lantern became visible, casting an island of light in the darkness.
“No use pretending one of us was not here, at least. They will have seen our light,” Aaron whispered, joining Arabella at the end of the rack.
“Then you must hide and I will…”
“Have no good reason to be mooching around a wine cellar alone right in the middle of a ball. I, on the other hand, am an officer and a part-time gentleman. I can brazen this out if you are out of sight,” Aaron replied.
His eyes fell on the ancient chaise and he grinned, pointing.
“You can’t be serious!” Arabella hissed.
