Page 16 of Never a Bride
Emmeline knew just who held her, and although she struggled, Sir Alexander did not release her. His arm encircled her waist, pulling her up against his body. She had never realized how wide and hard a man’s chest could be, and how easily she could be overwhelmed. She should be frightened, but instead excitement shivered through her.
He suddenly stilled, then whispered, “Emmeline?”
She nodded and tried to pull his hand away from her mouth.
“Do you promise not to cry out?”
She nodded again with great exaggeration. He released her mouth, but not her body, and she put her hands on his chest and tried to push.
“How did you know it was me?” she whispered.
She felt his hand sliding down her back to her waist. “You feel very different from Blythe.”
She gave him a hard kick in the shin, and he let her go.
“Ow! I promise I have only held your sister as we danced, if that is what worries you.”
She shivered as the wind blew her hood back onto her shoulders.
When she lifted her hands to it, he said quietly, “Leave it, if you don’t mind. I like to see who I’m talking to.”
“We have nothing to discuss,” Emmeline whispered, fearing discovery. She could still hear the laughter of her father’s grooms, scant yards away. “Our father has returned home suddenly, and Blythe could not leave.”
“But you could?”
She heard his doubts. “Blythe has a lovely singing voice, and she often entertains Father’s guests.”
“You left your visitors for me?”
Even by the moonlight that filtered into the stables she could see his amused smile, and it made her want to force some humility into him.
“For Blythe,” she countered coolly. “My sister sends her regrets. She does not always understand the proprieties of what she does.Youshould know better.”
She turned to leave and felt his hand clasp her shoulder. Just that one point of contact between them warmed her, and she remembered how it felt to be held against his body. Deep inside, she was embarrassed to realize she wanted to know such a feeling again.
He was too scandalous, touching her as if he had a right to!
“Are you scolding me, Emmeline?” There was open laughter in his voice now.
She whirled to face him.
“I know this meeting was my sister’s idea, but I resent your agreeing to it. She is young, and does not think through the consequences of her actions.”
“She is not much younger than you,” he said mildly, folding his arms over his chest.
“Seven years, sir. I have practically raised her, and will not see her abused.”
“Abused?Ifeel abused at your implications. I am but a poor suitor, helpless before the beauty of the Prescott sisters.”
Emmeline smothered the beginnings of a smile. He was too charming. It was probably easy for his mother to spoil him.
“Do not bother using your charms on me, Sir Alexander.”
“Alex,” he replied, stepping closer.
She looked up at him, as dark as the night except for the white of his teeth. “Sir Alexander.”
“Too formal. Even the queen does not call me that.”
