Page 5 of The Allure Of Lord Devlin
He glided her around the ballroom floor with a gentle, but firm, touch. With his sandalwood scent filling her senses to where she almost gave in and leaned close to lick his neck to see what he tasted like. She really needed to find the answers she craved before it became a moot point and she fell in love.
Her only armor was to refuse to fall in love until Devlin admitted his love for her. Heartbreak would be the outcome if she fell first, and he never reciprocated.
During Christmas, her brother Tobin, the Earl of Clayton, pulled her aside to discuss the daunting future that awaited her as the wife of a Marquis from a disgraced family. Even though Lord Devlin didn't play any part in his father's traitorous behavior, the family name permanently stained his reputation, which limited Devlin's marriage prospects. The fact his family had no money didn’t help either.
Tobin suggested she consider her options carefully. Her brother liked Devlin and would not oppose a marriage, but he wanted her to understand what her life would be like. Shunned by many for social invitations. Looked down upon by those who should be below her station. And her children would find life difficult with friends few and far between. Currently, she was the belle of the ball, a diamond of the first water. These titles would vanish the minute she agreed to wed Lord Devlin.
Did she care?Not when he smiles at me like this.
“We are causing quite the stir,” Devlin said in her ear as they twirled in the crowd. His voice sent shivers over her skin, the timbre of his tone like a velvet cloth.
“That’s because this is the second waltz you’ve danced with me tonight. You have made your intentions clear—to everyone.”
“I’m sorry for bringing such unwanted attention upon you.”
“No, you’re not.”
He laughed, and the sound curled her toes. “True. I’ve made my intentions clear after your stepmother’s house party. I wish to court you this season with a view to announcing our engagement by the end of the season.”
“So soon? What’s the rush?” Was it his need for money?
“I want you.”
“I’m not to be had for the wanting.”
He looked into her eyes and she could not look away. “Then I shall have to make you want me.”
She gritted her teeth. Don’t let him provoke you. Society is watching. “And because I haven’t discouraged your interest, many mothers with marriageable sons are keeping them well away from me. If I wish to find a husband this season, allowing you to pay a call on me is not an advantage.”
He pulled her closer, which was totally unacceptable and only caused the stares to gather steam. “That doesn’t matter. You can only marry one man, if I recall. That will be me.”
“Arrogance is not the way to win a lady’s heart.” That saw his smile vanish. Why did men fear genuine emotions like love? Time to change the subject. “His Grace and Charlotte look decidedly happy.”
“True. Sin chose well for his second marriage. I’m thrilled for Charlotte.”
She eyed him carefully. “You’re not upset about their marriage ending your chance of wedding her?”
The sparkle was back in his eye. “No. They seem to be a perfect match. I like Charlotte, but only as a friend.”
“That’s interesting. I thought you believed friendship to be a sound basis for marriage.”
He twirled her about until she was dizzy.
“Perhaps I’ve changed my mind. Friendship is important, but I think there needs to be more.” Just when Dharma thought he might talk about love, he added, “Passion and desire are, of course, a requirement.” He followed his words by squeezing her waist where his hand lay.
“How do you know we would share passion and desire?” she asked.
“Oh, my dear, we already do. I can see the vein in your neck pulse every time I smile at you. When I touch you, your eyes flash with heat, and when I hold you in my arms, like I am now, your body thrums with denied yearnings. You cannot hide your body’s response to me.”
Why did he have to be right? She hated he could read her so well. His experience with the opposite sex wasn’t a secret. “Your rakish ways have me at a disadvantage. How do I read you?” She didn’t expect him to answer, and she couldn’t imagine what he would say. Certainly not in the middle of a ballroom.
“If you want to press closer, you’ll feel the evidence of how much I desire you.”
She could have done without that image, because of course now she craved to push closer. The waltz ended and, looking him squarely in the eye, she pressed up against him before sliding round him. If anyone saw her, it would look as if she was simply moving round him to leave the floor.
In a quiet voice, she taunted him. “I’m not interested in the hardness of that part of your anatomy—impressive as it is, I’m sure. I’d prefer to know the secrets of the organ pumping in your chest.”
With that, she allowed him to escort her back to her brother’s side. Was it the heat of the ballroom or the feel of Devlin’s manhood that made her come over faint? But suddenly, all Dharma wanted to do was escape from the vicious eyes of theton.She glanced around for her friend Rosemary, Devlin’s sister, but she was on the dance floor with Lord Hawthorne.
