Page 15 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
“What sort of chocolates does she prefer?” he asked.
“You should ask her.”
“That would ruin the surprise, would it not?”
What a disloyal sister she was because she didn’t want him sending chocolates, didn’t want him wooing Gina. “Ones with soft centers. Strawberry.”
“And yourself?”
“I don’t fancy chocolate.”
“What do you fancy?”
It was the quietness of the morning that made it seem he was asking something entirely inappropriate, like a preferred position for coupling, or how eagerly she liked a kiss delivered. Why was it that he caused her mind to travel to the gutter? “I don’t seethatbeing knowledge you require to effectively win over my sister.”
“Ah, but you’ve already told me the way to your sister’s heart lies through you.”
“It lies in the way you treat her, in the care you give her.” They’d reached the small stables at the back of her residence.
He had the audacity to wave away the groom who had come out to assist her. He dismounted in a smooth movement of muscles and sinew that caused her clothing to shrink until she could scarcely breathe. Without a word, he placed his hands on her waist. They spanned the expanse of it. Large hands, capable hands. She’d felt the strength in them the day before as he’d assisted her into and out of the carriage. She did wish she wasn’t so taken with them, that she couldn’t imagine them stroking breasts and caressing thighs.
He tilted his head up, his gaze latching onto hers. Against her ribs, her heart throbbed, and she wondered if he could feel the vibrations through his gloved fingers. She curled her palms around his broad, sturdy shoulders. It was like grasping steel. She doubted this man possessed an ounce of fat. He was lean, but firm.
He lifted her down slowly, so slowly she could have counted his eyelashes, the folds in his neck cloth, the buttons of his waistcoat. If she’d been able to look away from the blue of his eyes.
“I do hope you will speak well of me to your sister and will not dissuade her from stepping out with me.”
Her feet were on firm ground now, her mind less so. He had yet to remove his hands from her waist. She would have stepped back but her horse was in the way. A little. Not completely. There was room. For some unfathomable reason, she didn’t want to make use of it. “Rest assured, you will at least have her in your company tonight.”
“I ask no more than that.”
His hands fell away. She could finally breathe. Strange how she thought it an unfair price to pay in order to be free of his touch.
“You should have a groom escort you on your morning ride. You never know when you might cross paths with a scoundrel.”
As she had this morning, no doubt. Reflexively, her hand went to her pocket where she kept her small gun. “I can take care of myself.”
“Are you truly skilled with a pistol?”
“Deadly so. Firearms is the family business, after all. My father taught me how to shoot when I was six.”
“Then I shall be grateful you didn’t demonstrate your talents this morning.”
“As you should be because I did consider it.”
He smiled as though he enjoyed sparring with her, liked the challenge of it. That was so very unnerving as it had been a good long while since a man had enjoyed her company—and she his.
He tipped his hat. “Good day, Lady Landsdowne.” He’d taken a mere three steps when he turned to face her. “Will you be acting as chaperone this evening?”
“No. Gina’s maid will serve in the role.”
“Is she young?”
“What does it matter?”
“In my experience, young servants are often intimidated by those of rank.” He slowly lifted a shoulder, lowered it. “I know many a gent who has managed to elude less watchful eyes for a bit of mischief.”
“Yourself included, I assume.”
