Page 17 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
That sounded so easy. But how did she compete with the ghost of his father and restoring a family’s honor?
* * *
Dharma took it as a good sign that she wasn’t at all nervous, standing with her arm through Devlin’s in the receiving line. The whispers behind the twittering fans had begun the minute Devlin had handed her down from his carriage with his mother and sister. Why bother being announced when everyone knew they were there?
“The most honorable the Marquis of Devlin and the Lady Rosa Devlin, the Lady Rosemary Sneddon and the Lady Dharma Dexter.”
You could have heard a pin drop for a few moments before a hurricane of whispers erupted. She felt the muscles in Devlin’s arm tense, so she gently squeezed and walked down the stairs with her head held high and a smile on her lips.
Her brother, and Charlotte and Sin greeted them at the bottom and it would appear that appeased the affronted crowd. “At least you didn’t trip down the stairs,” Charlotte whispered as they made their way through the ballroom, nodding and smiling at those who were secretly gossiping about her arriving on Lord Devlin’s arm.
Devlin was chatting with Sin as if he didn’t notice all eyes were upon him. She ignored the crowd and linked arms with Charlotte.
“I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. Besides, it would appear curiosity has replaced the shock. I suspect the gentlemen, and maybe some ladies, will place wagers on an engagement before the season ends.”
“I’ll take that wager,” Charlotte stated. “I think you’ll be happy with Devlin. He’s a good man. He’s also good for you. I’ve never seen you so content with life since my house party. Admit it. He interests you. It’s more than just the fact he’s one of the most handsome men in England, isn’t it?”
Was it? She looked over her shoulder, and as usual, one look at his face sent her body into a sensual fever. He stirred something primal in her. But Charlotte was right. It wasn’t just his looks. He noted her stare and smiled. Her heart flipped in her chest. These past few months, she’d learnt more about the man and she liked what she’d learnt.
His family story tugged at her innate sense of fairness. The unfairness of his situation rankled. She admired the fact his family meant everything to him. That he held back on living his life to help clear his father so his family would no longer suffer. He put their happiness ahead of his own. Selfless. He was selfless. She admired him immensely.
She dragged her gaze back to her stepmother. “The man underneath is very appealing.”
Charlotte giggled. Just then, the first waltz was called and Devlin bowed over her hand. “My dance, my lady.”
He led her onto the floor and the heat in his eyes made her forget the stares and whispers. She found it difficult to focus on her steps. The feel of his arms about her sent images racing through her head. She’d love to see him naked. The image of him sitting with his shirt hanging open in the library at Ivy Close filled her head, and she almost missed a step. She moved closer to him as he twirled her around the floor. His powerful thighs were solid through the thin silk of her dress. For one moment she thought she’d felt something else solid pushing against her stomach when they briefly brushed each other.
She looked up at him and smiled.
“If you keep looking at me like that, and pushing closer, we really will give the crowd a scandalous show and you’ll have no choice but to marry me.”
His husky voice had the opposite effect of his warning. It made her disregard safety and move even closer.
He frowned down at her. “You’re not playing fair.”
“I might not be playing.”
His jaw grew taut, and he twirled her harder and faster. They ended up at the back of the room and he danced her through the door into a darkened corridor. “When you play with fire… Well, I’m burning to taste you.”
Excitement and nerves jangled as he led her down the corridor. With one quick look up and down, he opened a door and pulled her inside, closing and locking it after him and pushing her up against the door. His mouth took hers in a smoldering kiss before she could blink and her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. He tasted of—forever. She was so stupid for not recognizing the fact that he was the man she wanted, and she would do everything in her power to make him fall in love with her. The fact he wanted her as his wife spoke volumes. He might not be in love, but he felt something for her.
Slowly, as if giving her time to stop him, he slid his hands up under her gown, pushing her skirts up as he went. She groaned when he stopped their kiss, but then he dropped to his knees and his lips found the inside of her thigh. She could barely stay upright. Her breath came in small, rapid pants.
“You do not know the taste I crave.”
The sensuous path he made up the inside of her leg spoke of pleasure beyond imagining. This was so wicked, but at the same time, she could not deny the excitement skimming through her. She trusted this man. She trusted him to show her about passion and to make her life wonderful, and after tonight, she’d trust him with her heart. She would show him he had nothing to fear. His heart would be safe in her small hands.
He would marry her and they would have the most perfect life.
“We don’t have enough time for what I’d really love to do to you, with you, but I can’t wait to taste you.” His voice was intoxicatingly sensuous.
“I surrender to your skills, my lord.”
Desire played over her skin in ascending ripples of response. When she looked into eyes darker than the emeralds around her neck, her legs parted of their own accord, allowing him greater access. His groan only inflamed her passion.
He used his hands to part her even further until she felt open and exposed. He kissed higher up the inside of her leg, his lips setting her on fire. A soft moan escaped, and she didn’t care.
“You may be honorable, but you’re also wicked…” Dharma gasped into the confines of the rapidly heating room.
