Page 13 of Untaming Lady Violet
“All right.” Tristan threw up his hands in mock surrender. “I concede the battle for the moment. To answer your initial question, have you forgotten my bedchamber is located down the hall? Just a bit further past your own, in fact. Before I could make my presence known, you whirled about, barreling headfirst into my chest. So, you see, my dear Lady Violet, my intentions were completely innocent. At least at first.”
“And now?” Violet’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, helplessly drawn to his chest. He had mentioned it, after all. And it was such a nice chest. All warm and hard, with swells of muscles and ridges she’d already felt with her own two hands.
“Oh, I’m full of wicked thoughts. Overcome by them,” Tristan cheerfully replied. “And eagerly willing to demonstrate a few of my favorites.”
Chapter 5
I’m doing it again. Teasing her. Flirting. This will not end well. I know this. So, why continue this madness? And why do I find it so enjoyable that my actions disturb her?
Violet’s lips once again pursed together. The gesture did not detract from her loveliness. Indeed, it called undue attention to the lush beauty of her mouth. Tristan wanted to trace the upper curve of that plump flesh with his tongue. Pull it between his teeth and test its suppleness. Would she melt, easily molded to his liking, or would this newfound sauciness stiffen her resistance?
The tang of her blood still lingered in his mouth. It was difficult believing he’d done something so audacious and out of character.
But not for all the gold in London would Tristan erase that moment. That moment when Violet’s eyes darkened to the hazy purplish color of a winter morning sky, her lips parting the slightest bit for more.
“Such efforts would be a waste of your time, Lord Longleigh,” Violet said primly. “And speaking of time, you keep me from an appointment in the Emerald Parlor.”
Instead of pressing her against the wall and taking her mouth to explore its flavor without the stain of blood, Tristan moved away. Hands clasped behind his back, he smiled when she added a few more discreet steps between them. “And who awaits you in the Emerald Parlor?”
“Your sister, if you must know. And I had hoped to change my dress before you barreled into me, but now there’s not enough time.”
She appeared vaguely distraught but did not elaborate further.
With a sigh of defeat, Tristan let his fingers curl around her elbow. He maneuvered her until he could see the garment better.
“Your gown is quite lovely.” His eyes strayed to the bodice where twin mounds of creamy flesh tested the stitching of the lavender fabric. “Why change it?”
A different answer must have teetered on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it with a pained expression.
“You would not understand my reasons,” she replied in a suddenly morose fashion.
“Probably not. ‘Who is’t that can read a woman?’” With gentle urging, Tristan pulled her into step alongside him. “Come, I’ll escort you to the parlor myself.”
As if against her better judgment, Violet smiled. “Do you quote Shakespeare often?”
“If and when it suits me. Do you enjoy Shakespeare?”
“Should I say yes, I will be considered not only a wallflower but a bluestocking as well.”
Tristan grinned, his head dipping close to hers. “I would never. You are too lovely for such characterizations.”
“While you are so free with compliments one might doubt your sincerity. Especially in this case, my lord.”
Tristan’s brows knitted. “Never doubt my honesty, Lady Violet. I would gladly sing praises of your beauty aloud if scandal’s broad brush would spare you in the aftermath.”
To his utter delight, Violet blushed, the rosy tinge spreading across her face and further until the swells of her breasts were the same hue. That gorgeous color would likely saturate every inch of her pale skin.
Tristan could envision nothing lovelier than Lady Violet Everstone bared for him. Soft, warm, willing and eager, waiting for his hands and mouth to discover all her vulnerable parts and turn them the same shade of delectable pink.
As they descended the marble steps of the main staircase, Violet remained silent.
“Does the thought of scandal worry you, Lady Violet?” Tristan chuckled. “I swear I shall be on my best behavior during dinner.”
“Perhaps you shouldn’t sit—”
Before Violet finished the sentence, there was an interruption behind them.
“Longleigh, is that you?”
