Page 65 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
He wrapped his arms around her to keep her from falling as she bounced off his chest.
She stared up at him. “Why areyouout here and not dancing with your diamonds?”
“They have been claimed by other bachelors. I strode out here for a breath of air.”
“So did I.” She was still in his arms and knew she had better push away before she did something quite stupid and asked for a kiss. He was her dream man, after all. And hadn’t she just imagined how splendid such a kiss would feel? “I had better go.”
“Not a chance. Dance with me.”
She gasped again. “What?”
“You heard me,” he said with exquisite gentleness. “Dance with me.”
“But you are a viscount.”
“All the more reason why you must obey.” He took her hand in his and then wrapped an arm around her waist. She found herself slowly twirling in his arms. “You look enchanting,” he said, his voice once again gentle and quite husky.
She laughed. “Apron and all?”
He grinned. “Yes, I hear aprons are the height of London fashion this year.”
“Indeed, all the best cooks have them. Which, by the way, is all I am.” She was reminding herself as much as him.
“No, tonight you are an elfin princess. There is magic in you, Viola. In your smile and the starlight of your eyes.”
He was going to make her cry.
His words felt so sincere.
He sighed. “You are getting worked up again. Would you rather not dance with me?”
“No…yes…I mean, it isyou. I should not be here under the moonlight with you. I have never been in a man’s arms like this before…well, other than with you. Why am I always tumbling into your arms?”
“Good question. I don’t have an answer for it yet. Have you ever been kissed before?”
She gasped a third time. “No.”
“Would you like me to kiss you?”
“Yes…no…I mean…”
He chuckled. “Seize the moment, Viola. These nights of enchantment do not come along very often.”
She stared up at him. “Do you want to kiss me?”
“Is it not obvious? Yes, I am in agony and there is no cure for me but to kiss you.”
He was still twirling her slowly in his arms, but made no move to act on his desire. Was he waiting for her to say something?
Moonlight fell across his golden hair and chiseled features. He was big and muscled and simply magnificent.
The dance was now coming to an end, the opportunity about to pass.
She took a deep breath. “All right. I think I will expire if I do not seize the moment. Although I do not understand why you should want to kiss me when–”
His mouth crushed down on hers.
He wrapped his arms around her and brought her up against his hard body. Yes, quite a firm, solid body, and yet she melted into the length of him as though she were a candle melting against a flame.
