Page 17 of Lady in Ruby
“I notice things,” he said shortly.
“I notice things too. Such as you taking something out of my parents’ room.”
His jaw tightened. He swallowed hard, but then said, “You’re mistaken.”
“Oh, am I? How about the person who just searched your room? Was he looking for the same thing?”
“I doubt it,” Snowdon said, a wry, bitter smile pulling at one side of his mouth.
“And why did you hide under the bed as well? No one would think it odd for you to be in your room. You just had to hide me.” She was getting more upset by the second, partly because he remained so calm.
“I had my reasons. And your reputation is preserved, so what do you care?”
“I care because it’s Christmas and everything is getting so strange! But I’m glad I didn’t get forced into marrying you because we were caught in some compromising position. Now you’re safe. You can continue your pursuit of Estelle,” she added, anger making her petty.
“What?” he asked sharply.
“Estelle. You’re interested in her.”
He looked at Caroline as if she’d grown another head. “Why the hell would you think that?”
“You were talking to her over lunch.”
“How is that significant? I was seated next to her. Talking to a woman over lunch is not the same as kissing one under a bed.”
She protested, “You just wanted to keep me quiet.”
“I wanted to know what you tasted like.”
Oh.
“What do I taste like?” she whispered.
His gaze was hot, lingering on her mouth before flickering up to her eyes. “Like something I shouldn’t have.”
“Would you kiss me again if you had the chance?”
His chest rose and fell sharply, but his expression went icy once more. “Don’t ask me that.”
“I didn’t mean to…” She paused, unsure what she didn’t mean to do. “I just wanted to know…”
“You already know too much,” he said, his eyes a deeper blue than before. “You need to leave this room, Caroline. Now. It’s dangerous for you here.”
“You kissed me,” she said, defensiveness rising in her.
“It was a mistake. Forget it ever happened. Forget everything that just happened.”
He reached for the now-unlocked door, twisted the knob, and wrenched it open. He leaned out. “It’s clear. Go.” He sent her through to the hallway just before he shut it again.
She heard the key twist in the lock, and she stepped back. What had just happened? Had Lord Snowdon really just kissed her? Had she let him? And what would he think of her now?
Wait! She had more immediate problems. Caroline rushed to her own room and shut the door before anyone could see her and notice her disheveled appearance or remark on the fact that she’d just left Snowdon’s room. She was sure the whole house could hear her heartbeat, still thrumming as fast as it had been when she was in his arms. Part of her wasn’t even sure it really happened. It was almost a dream, so sudden and inexplicable. One moment she was pursuing a thief, and the next, she was lost in a cloud of pleasure, only to be abruptly pushed away without warning.
She caught her reflection in her looking glass. Her hair was mussed, her cheeks pink, and her lips shockingly plumped. She looked like…a woman.
Caroline raised a finger to her lips, touching the skin in wonder. His mouth had just been there. A wave of embarrassment rolled over her. What lady asked that of a gentleman? Was that why he stopped and pushed her away?
She hadn’t meant to throw herself at him. All she wanted to know was why he’d taken something from her parents’ room…
