Page 20 of The Marquess's Scandalous Game
“I thought to find you here,” Lord Adlington’s voice intruded on her thoughts.
She immediately stood; her eyes widened. The hedge concealed them so no one could see them from the house, but someone could come upon them. She should flee.
“I was merely having a breath of fresh air,” she replied.
“I recall you do not like balls. I wondered if perhaps you wanted to leave me on the dance floor, so to speak,” he said as he lifted the corners of his mouth in a wide smile.
“Not at all. I am quite enjoying the evening, apart from the heat.”
“I am happy to hear you say that you are takingpleasurein it.”
His voice was husky, and she was certain he emphasized the word pleasure.
Her breath hitched at the thought of having pleasure with him. Emma did not speak. Would she always feel like this with him?
When his eyes dropped to her chest, the gown that fit her so well earlier this evening felt tight across the bodice.
His voice was a low murmur when he said, “There is much pleasure that we will share. I am looking forward to it, Miss Corbett.”
Good heavens!
She was sure her blush covered her entire face, and she did not meet his eyes. Those words evoked something dangerous, mysterious, yet exciting. Emma hated to admit that she found Lord Adlington dashing and that she was attracted to him. Of all the men she could have chosen to want, why did it have to be him?
She must stop thinking like this. But she could not. Emma smiled inside for she was certain that being headstrong and disobedient were not Lord Adlington’s requirements for a suitable match.
Leopold sawher depart for the garden, and he had followed her. He just wanted to be near her and now here they were. Talking about pleasure. The rubies glistened so tastefully around her throat and the matching earrings quickly drew his gaze to hereyes. They were watching him intently. If there was any doubt in Leopold’s mind that she felt the attraction between them, it was vanquished. He felt a sense of triumph and satisfaction knowing she felt it too.
Leopold reached up and curled his finger around one of the wayward tendrils before gently placing it behind her ear. His fingers lightly brushed her cheeks, and he could feel her warm breath on his hand. He moved his hand down and cupped her chin, letting his thumb graze over her lips. When he traced the outline of her cupid’s bow, her tongue darted out and moistened his finger. He pulled his hand away as if he had been burnt, but not before he felt her breath quicken. He stood frozen. He could not shift his gaze from her mouth, and her tongue reached out to lick her lips.
Bloody hell.
It was all that he could do to control himself. He wanted to devour her lips right there, but he would not. Even though he sensed those lips would be soft and warm beneath his. The intense desire shook his core and rippled over his cock. A pink flush covered her cheeks, and he was tempted to ignore propriety. The air was charged, and neither had spoken another word. The marriage bed would be interesting for them both.
“You should return before you are missed.” Leopold’s voice was faint to his ears.
“I will, my lord,” she replied, her cheeks scarlet.
Miss Corbett quickly walked past him, brushing his shoulder. He wanted to hold on to her and give her the pleasure of his lips, but he would not risk besmirching her reputation. He waited in the garden until he knew she was safely inside before he joined the festivities. They enjoyed the rest of the evening, but things were not the same between them. He caught her gazing at him several times during the ball, and he could hardly quell his desire.
When he returned to his townhouse, he was still thinking about her. Residing in the townhouse had brought back so many memories, especially of his father and the future he wanted for Leopold. He was anticipating the new memories he would create with Miss Corbett. She was everything he wanted his marchioness to be: fiery, graceful, and confident.
She was truly pretty, her skin glowed, and he appreciated the beauty of her hair, even the tendrils that framed her face and fell to her slender neck. The style suited her well. At one point, when they danced, she had not lowered her gaze as was proper. He wondered what accounted for her boldness this evening. He saw how she had watched him with her head cocked to the side. Sometimes, Miss Corbett could be so unreadable, but not tonight. She appeared curious. Perhaps she wanted to know what his lips tasted like. Her lips quirked upward in the most fascinating way. Leopold was looking forward with anticipation to parting those lips.
Miss Corbett was refreshingly direct in complimenting his dancing, and he had moved a little closer to her, drawn by her intensity. Her eyes had lit up, exposing the fire in their depths before she quickly contained it. He wondered what it would be like when she let the fire loose. A coil of anticipation tightened in his belly.
When he finally touched her in the garden, he was itching to. He could not help himself. Such was his overpowering need. A flush had worked its way up from her cleavage to her face. Try as he might, he could not stop his eyes from gravitating downward to her chest.
Bloody hell. She was lighting a fire inside him too, and he welcomed it. He wanted to be on fire. God, he wanted her. Yet, he must restrain himself. It was a while before the wedding night. He imagined she would be ready and willing beneath him when she let her passion loose. Leopold sighed heavily. He wastormenting himself. He would retire for the night certain he would only have fitful sleep tonight.
The following morning, Leopold awoke with a sense of purpose. Since he had put his steward, Mr. Glover, in charge of running Buckden’s estate, they had regular meetings to ensure all was progressing well. One such meeting was scheduled for this morning, and he wanted to review the accounts before he met with the steward.
Leopold dressed and went down to breakfast. Miss Corbett was already on his mind. After breakfast, he penned a letter to accompany them.
My dearest Miss Corbett,
Since our auspicious meeting at the Livingston’s ball, I have enjoyed every moment in your endearing presence. You have become the arbitress of my future happiness and the one who will make me forget my misery and loss. I am enslaved not only by your beauty but also by your numerous qualities. You have shown me kindness, empathy, sensitivity, and tenderness. Your virtue has touched my heart, and I look forward to the prospect of sharing my future with you. You will have all the comforts of my life, for I could not envision sharing them with anyone but you. This letter is from my heart, and it is not empty flattery. I would like you to get to know me even more so that you can see the merits of being my marchioness. I trust that in time, you will. Be assured that my thoughts are always of you whether we are together or absent.
Yours sincerely,
