Page 61 of To Tempt a Scandalous Lord
“Nothing, if it’s coming from you.” Alicia rested her forehead on his chest for a moment and then pulled back. “But why must women always be described in terms of their beauty? Is beauty all we have to offer? Is it all we’re worth?”
“Of course not. Flora could sink an entire armada with the arch of one of her wee eyebrows.” Niall sobered, his gaze outlining her face. “I hope I’ve shown that to me, you have always been so much more than your beauty. It was your sharp rejoinders, in fact, that first caught my attention.”
“And yet we wouldn’t be in a position to call each other husband and wife if my grandmother’s broach hadn’t snagged your coat.”
Niall nodded, even as a hand settled on her waist. “I thank God for that broach every day. Do you suppose your grandmother would have approved of me if we had met?”
The old tabby would have loved him. Alicia knew this as she knew the sun would rise in the east the next morning. Still, there was no reason to inflate her husband’s handsome head any more than she already did when she was in the throes of passion.
“I’d wager so,” she mused. “She always told me that Scotsmen wore kilts to tempt women to ask what was under them, and I’ve wondered ever since.”
“I thought I showed you well and good what lies under a Scotsman’s kilt.”
Niall’s heated gaze made fire percolate in her blood, and she licked her lips. “Did you? I don’t recall seeing anything memorable.”
“Is that so? Well, I seem to recall you being quite intent on putting your pretty mouth on my—”
Alicia slapped a hand over his mouth, her face blushing so fiercely, it would go up in flames at any moment now. Yet even through her embarrassment, tingles of arousal flickered through her core.
Pulling her hand from his mouth, Niall pressed a lingering kiss to her palm. “Should we retire for an afternoon nap, my dear?”
Alicia’s lips curved into a pleased smile. “I think that sounds…very invigorating.”
Choking on a laugh, Niall stroked his finger down her cheek. “You have dirt here.”
“So brush it off when you take off my corset.”
Darting his gaze about, he cradled her chin in his large hand and claimed her mouth with a fierce kiss. “Don’t tempt me to do so here. It wouldn’t do to scandalize the staff.”
Alicia mashed her lips together to keep from laughing. He was darling in a pique.
Niall hustled her up the terrace steps, and when the butler appeared, a tray in his hand, Niall cut off whatever the man intended to say with a swish of his hand.
“Not now, Stewart. You can fill me in on everything when I return to my study in a half hour.” Sliding a glance to Alicia, his expression darkened. “Make that an hour.”
Alicia did laugh then, but it was cut off when Niall grabbed her by the hand and escorted her upstairs. Although she tried to walk at a stately pace, he did not allow it, all but hauling her up the staircase. A hot flush spread over her cheeks, and she was certain the whole house would know what they were up to.
Bursting through the door of her chamber, Alicia’s gaze fell on Jane, who was just emerging from the dressing room. The maid’s eyebrows disappeared into her hairline when she caught sight of them, quickly departing without another word.
Niall flicked the lock, and pivoted to face her, his back against the door. Embers of lust burned in his gray eyes, and while her limbs felt like porridge, Alicia was determined to not give in too easily.
“Do you suppose Medlinger will be at the Hamilton dinner party tomorrow evening?” she asked, slipping off her hat and pivoting to place it on her vanity table. She slowly began working on the buttons lining her bodice. “I have not had the pleasure to meet him.”
Niall grunted, stripping off his coat and pulling on the knot of his cravat.
“I’ve heard he’s a pleasant fellow. But in a tight race, I’d imagine he’ll have his guard up. A man’s ego can be so very sensitive.”
Niall came to a stop behind her, his hands falling on her shoulders. “And have you found me sensitive?”
“Hmmmm.” She suppressed the wicked grin teasing her lips. Reaching back, she cupped him. “I’ve found you to be a bit sensitivehere.”
His hiss filled the silent room, and Alicia experienced a thrill of excitement to have this incredible man quite literally in the palm of her hand.
“Not as sensitive as I plan to have you,” he rumbled.
Gathering up her skirts, he nudged her in the direction of the bed, until she fell forward onto the mattress. His hands traveled up her thighs to her waist, where they grasped her pantalettes, and pulled them slowly down her legs.
Alicia trembled in anticipation, her breath coming in rapid pants. When his palm rested against the small of her back, she arched into it, and then shuddered as he trailed his fingertips over the curve of her bottom and finally drifted them slowly over her folds.
