Page 6 of Ironvine

“Such impudence.”

“I saved you from mediocrity just now with Matthew.”

“And such arrogance.”

“A kiss is not merely a meeting of lips, Miss Georgina. A first kiss, most especially, should leave you with a wild, mad impression on your senses.”

She raised her chin. “I am aware.”

“Are you? A good kiss is a taste of the illicit that you didn’t know you needed, a rush of feeling.” He stalked her with his wild words, his tone fierce. “Not those sweet delights you just spoke of.

Her breath stalled. “Illicit?”

“Yes. And a shared promise.”

“A promise of what exactly?”

“A hint of the bliss that awaits. A prelude to many more sensual pleasures.”

“Ah, I see…”

“No, you don’t.” His gaze had landed on her mouth as he shook his head, and in one swift movement, his cool hands slid around her jaw, cradled her face. Pulling her to him against his hard body, his lips pressed against hers. Warm and firm. His tongue, wet and sleek, demanded entry and sought hers. She gave herself freely. A groan rose in his throat, and it vibrated through her as her tongue danced with his. Every inch of her flesh blazed. She tasted him. Tasted his wild fervour.

Tasted Charles Montclare.

Music blared around them, the rousing chorus surging in her veins. He released his tight grip on her, his lips leaving hers, and their gazes met. His was positively troubled. Both of them breathed hard as if they’d been running across a field.

Her hand reached out and touched his heaving chest. “Charles?”

“I—”

“What the devil is going on here?”

Both of them turned, and a chill raced up her spine. Her brother, Thomas, stood at the end of the pathway. “Montclare, how dare you take my sister and bring her here?”

“No, Thomas, Charles was helping me. I’d wandered off to see the fountain and lost my way.”

“Matthew told me you left him and took up with Montclare. That was quite ill-mannered and presumptuous of you.”

That double dealing…

Her brother moved forward, the dim light exposing his tight features. “And look where he’s taken you. Have you no sense, girl? You know very well what he’s about.”

Georgina took in a breath. “Matthew had stopped to speak with friends, and I wandered off to see the fountain. Luckily our friend, Mr. Montclare, found me and was about to leadme back into the gardens.”

Scoffing, Thomas grabbed at her, pulling her next to him. “You will not leave my side for the rest of the evening. And you, sir—to divert yourself with my young, innocent sister? I know you have no bounds, but this goes beyond the…”

Charles said nothing in his defense as Thomas rattled on. He only glared at him, a muscle along his jaw ticking.

Georgina met his gaze. “Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Montclare. For your kind words. It is lovely to see you again after so long.”

Giving her an appreciative smile, Charles bowed his head as Thomas pulled her out of the dark pathway. Away from him.

Away from the dangerous beast and back into polite society’s roaring carnival.

ChapterThree

Charles

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