Page 87 of Rakes & Reticules
They took every trick.
Callum swept up the last hand. “Two points for us. That adds up to five. Game won. Come with me, Amelia,” he said with a soft growl.
She blushed to the tips of her ears. “Why must we go anywhere? Can you not just kiss me here? Everyone will understand it is a silly, harmless wager.”
He cast her a look that warned his kiss was not going to be harmless.
She coughed. “Um...Aunt Rosie, are you going to allow this?”
“My dear girl, I shall tackle anyone who attempts to stop you.”
“This cannot be right,” she muttered, shaking her head.
Callum took her by the hand. “Amelia, you must trust me.”
She nodded. “I do.”
“Good.” He led her onto the terrace. Torches were lit at either end of the balustrade to cast a fragile, golden light upon the terrace steps. But he continued down those steps into the darkened garden.
He made certain to take secure hold of Amelia’s hand in order to keep her close, for there was only moonlight to guide them now that they were away from the house.
She had a soft, delicate hand.
Her lips would be just as soft and delicate.
He meant to thoroughly ravage them.
Amelia grabbed onto his arm, attempting to hold him back. “Where are you taking me?”
“It isn’t much farther.”
“Is this not too far already?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
He led her into the gazebo, and then immediately put an arm around her waist to draw her up against him. Her breaths were light and fast, and he could feel her heart racing. “Amelia, I only intend to claim a kiss.”
“You make it sound harmless, but this seems far worse than an assignation with Lord Pennington in the library. What are you going to do if we are caught and I am compromised?”
“Marry you.”
She inhaled sharply. “Oh, ha. Very funny. The duke everytondiamond has been chasing for years will now willingly head to the altar with me? You do realize Aunt Rosie will insist on this very thing if you take this kiss too far. Indeed, her willingness to push me into your arms is because she hopes you will marry me. Why are you so casual about it?”
“I am not in the least casual about it and fully understand the possible consequences.”
“You would marry me? Dear heaven, you are completely out of your senses.”
The moon’s silver light shimmered across her lovely face. “I think I am being quite sensible.”
“You are awfully full of yourself to assume this is what I would desire.” She swallowed hard and then sighed. “Irritatingly, it is. Of course, it is. You are irresistible and I am not averse to marrying you. But I would never want it to occur like this. How do you think I would feel if you were forced to the altar?”
“The risk is minimal. The only ones who care and would tattle are all busy dancing in the music room. Your aunt and my uncle are not going to say a word, nor will the others in the cards room who are actually engaged in honest games and concentrating on the hands they have been dealt.”
He guided her into the center of the gazebo. “Now you shall have your proper kiss. The one I’ve longed to give you.”
She shivered.
