Page 18 of Most Sought-After Scoundrel in London
She removed her hands and leaned back.“I’ll not promise marriage.”
“Then I cannot agree to teaching you everything.”He sank back down on the bench and waited.Sending up a quick prayer that she would change her mind, Cameron sat in silence.
Violet would not relent that easily.“What if I promise to consider marriage, would you entertain the idea of continuing our training?”
A compromise.Marriage would be full of compromises.He should be a gentleman, amicable to her suggestion, should he not?Argh.He was trying to justify continuing their interlude.Why did he not have the willpower to say no to Violet?
Caving into his desires, he answered, “Very well, I shall agree to continue your training, and in return, you shall inform me of your decision as to whether you wish to have our banns read upon our arrival in London.”
Grinning from ear-to-ear, like a cat who had cornered a mouse, Violet nodded.She reached out for him but it wasn’t her mouth he wished to kiss.He wanted to taste her nether lips.His hands glided up her thigh, pushing up her skirts, and she quickly covered his hands with hers.
He gave his head a slight shake.“Place your hands behind you, atop the wood, and do not remove them, unless it is to cover your mouth.”
Brows knitted, Violet didn’t argue as he expected and did as he ordered.With light pressure, he spread her legs to give him access to her.He trailed his forefinger along her slit and was pleased to find Violet moist and ready.Mayhap if he could tempt her with the knowledge of how elating his intimate touch could be, she would seriously consider his offer of marriage.
A tinge of guilt had his movements stilling for a moment.Trickery was no way to start a life together.Cameron glanced up to find Violet had let her head fall backward, and the slight moan of protest at his lack of attention had him leaning forward.He slid his hand back and replaced his finger with the tip of his tongue, dipping between her nether lips.Sweet lord, the dewy drops coated his tongue as he flicked it back and forth over her sensitive bud.
When her thighs fought against his palms to close about him, he deepened the pressure and flickered a look up to find Violet with her eyes closed and one hand covering her mouth tightly.He continued to alternate between suckling her clit and teasing it with his tongue.Only when Violet’s back arched and a muted cry escaped her did he ease back to continue to stroke her with his thumb.He slowly drew her skirts down and slowly removed his hand from her inner thigh.
When Violet finally opened her eyes and sat up, Cameron dared not meet her gaze.Instead, he began to ask, “Is…Are… Did…”
Violet stretched out her arms for him once more.“Please assist me down.I don’t think my legs are quite ready to support me.”
Cameron stood and lifted her back down to the bench.Extremely uncomfortable, he too sat back down.
Cheeks awash with color, Violet arranged her skirts and then faced him.With a seriousness that he’d only witnessed when she was deep in thought, she said, “After failing to draw the attention of any suitors upon my debut season, or the interest of a gentleman once I became a widow, I had resolved myself to a life of independence.You, Cameron, are the only man who has ever tempted me to waver from my decision.You have my word I shall ponder your proposal.”
He wanted to jump up and whoop for joy.Instead, he settled for a kiss to seal her promise and prevented him from uttering words that might change her mind.
“You are awfully quiet today, Lady Violet,” Lord Hadfield said as he walked alongside her.
She had been summoned by the Head PORF after breakfast.Claiming he preferred to think outdoors, Lord Hadfield led her out to the gardens.
“I'm worried.There are challenges with my solution to your problem that Lord Hurlington and I have yet to resolve,” she admitted, leaving out the fact that she’d slept little and was experiencing a rather terrible headache.
“If you would like, you could share those difficulties with me and perhapsIcan be of assistance.”Lord Hadfield’s emphasis on “I” made Violet glance up at the gentleman, whom, prior to the house party, she had considered cold and aloof.Lord Hadfield was far from her original assessment.In the fortnight she’d spent under his roof, she had seen the man take on multiple roles; the Head PORF was a loving husband, a fun yet fair father, and an excellent leader.How he juggled all his roles with grace was impressive.The only person better in her estimation was Cameron, who was genuinely the most patient and understanding man she’d ever met.
“Lady Violet?Can I be of help to you?”Lord Hadfield repeated.
Banishing her thoughts of Cameron, she refocused on the discussion at hand.“Shall I start with what my idea is first and then explain the challenges we face in implementing it?”
“You could.However, I’m more concerned about you and the issues you and Hurlington have yet to address.”Lord Hadfield gave her a smile before stopping to smell the blooms.
Holding a conversation with a barrister was always a challenge, and even trickier when said barrister was a master of wordplay.Violet replayed Lord Hadfield’s last words, which only confused her more.Oh, how she wished it were Lady Bronwyn next to her and not her husband.
As if she had summoned her, Lady Bronwyn appeared down the path and marched toward them.Violet released the breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding, garnering a chuckle from Lord Hadfield.
“Apparently, I still need to continue to improve my communication skills, or is it my body language that sets you on edge?”Lord Hadfield asked in a tone that bordered on teasing and true curiosity.
“Good morn to you, my love.”Lady Bronwyn rolled to her toes as her husband bent to meet her halfway to receive a kiss on his cheek.A healthy glow brightened Lady Bronwyn’s fine features, and Violet looked upon the loving couple in awe.
Lady Bronwyn turned her husband toward the house and gave him a light shove.“Off with you.The staff are awaiting your orders for our departure tomorrow.”
Lord Hadfield took a few steps forward before he walked backward and said, “I hope to prove myself worthy of your trust, Lady Violet.”
Violet stood, digesting the PORF’s departing words as his wife linked arms with her and said, “You are wise, Lady Violet.Trust must be earned not given blindly.”Her hostess gave her a serious wink as they began to walk along the garden path.
“And have I earned your trust?”Violet asked.
