Page 26 of Not Quite a Lady
‘Because I shall add him to the list, along with Lord Randall, ofgentlemenwho need to be taught how to treat ladies.’
‘But you can’t call them out. That is what you mean, isn’t it? Not teaching them some other way.’
‘By lying in wait with a knife possibly? I am not a footpad, Lily. Why can’t I call them out?’
‘Because they would not accept a challenge from someone who isn’t a gentle…’
Oh Lord! How tactless.
‘I mean…’
‘Who isn’t a gentleman? Possibly. But somehow they need dealing with.’
‘You cannot fight them,’ Lily took hold of his coat lapels and gave them a shake. ‘Be sensible. What if you kill them?’
‘Which is likely.’
Arrogant man.They were all alike, she wished she had the strength to give him a really hard shake.
‘Then you will be hanged and a lot of good that will do your coal mine.’
‘True.’
There was a laugh in his voice and for some reason she felt quite strange inside. Not miserable any more, but certainly not calm either. Very strange indeed. What was he thinking?
‘Jack?’
‘Yes, Lily my lovely?’ It was almost what Dovercourt had called her. It was certainly just as improper coming from Jack, but the words made the warm glow inside burn even warmer. She could feel the colour heating her cheeks.
Lily leaned back a little, trying to see his face in the moonlight. ‘Your bandage. What have you done with it?’ She put up a hand, her fingers almost, but not quite touching the raw wound. Even in the faint light it looked dreadful.
Jack bent his head a little and the raw silk of his hair flowed over her fingers, caressed the back of her hand.
‘Jack?’
What am I asking?He seems to know.
He bent over her, there was a long moment of perfect stillness, then his lips found hers and he was kissing her.
He had kissed her the other day when he had no idea who she was or where he was, but this was quite different. Jack Lovell knew exactly what he was doing this time and, shockingly, so it seemed, did she.
Her body arched against his, trusting. Her lips softened under his, giving. His was not at all like Adrian’s mouth had felt, demanding, taking. Jack seemed quite content to explore, angling his lips across hers, shifting, teasing, nibbling. It appeared that he wanted to taste, not to take.
Lily felt her mouth following his, learning from his. He did not try to do that revolting thing Adrian had done with his tongue. So wet and disgusting and…
Oh!It wasn’t disgusting at all, not when Jack did it.
Her lips parted, she opened to him and found she could taste too. Coffee, and a hint of brandy, Jack. Just Jack.
She was sinking until she felt part of him, and it was so right. So perfect. Then he stopped.
‘Lily?’
Blinking she opened her eyes.
‘I am sorry. I should not have done that.’
‘Why? Was I doing it wrong? It was very nice.’
