Page 17 of One Night of Temptation
She looked up at him. “I absolutely believe that. As I’ve never believed anything before. You’re wrong that nothing is going to happen. Something has already happened.”
The connection between them that had sparked earlier and had only grown over the hours they’d spent together intensified. “What?” His question, low and dark, echoed inside her.
“You.”
Desire rushed over Hugh. The heat emanating from their clasped hands barreled through him, and it took genuine effort not to pull her closer.
She was right—something had happened. And it was still happening.
The night lay before them full of anticipation and discovery. A night of temptation.
He thought of all she’d told him, of her plan to be ruined, to mislead her family into thinking she’d actuallybeenruined. He could make that happen if she wanted it. He wasn’t entirely sure she didn’t.
She’d been the one to arouse this hunger inside him, to call attention to whatever had been brewing between them the past several hours. He could’ve consigned their connection to two people meeting under stressful circumstances and trapped together in a small environment.
Only he didn’t feel trapped. There was nowhere he’d rather be than at her side.
He lifted his free hand and lightly touched the edge of her jaw. Her skin was soft and smooth. Warm. Her lips parted, and his desire intensified, pooling in his groin. She was exquisitely beautiful, her sparkling amber eyes fringed with lashes the color of night.
Words utterly failed him. How could he respond to what she’d said? By kissing her…
A knock on the door halted his thoughts and the slow descent of his head. He hadn’t even realized he’d been about to put his lips on hers. But given the way she now tore her gaze from his mouth,shehad.
Regret and irritation tore through him as he stepped away from her and dropped her hand. He stalked to the door and nearly growled at the intruder.
“Who is it?” Lady Penelope asked, jarring him from his annoyance.
He’d almost opened the door without thinking. It was then that he realized the ruckus downstairs had quieted. “Who’s there?” he asked.
“I’ve yer dinner,” came the feminine response.
Cautious, Hugh unlatched the door and gently eased it open a bare inch. Standing in the corridor was the maid who’d served them downstairs earlier.
He opened it wider. “Come in.”
She sent him a quick smile, then went to the table where she set a lantern along with the covered plates from her tray. Next, she deposited a bottle of wine. “I didn’t bring new glasses.” Her gaze settled on the glasses they’d used for their brandy earlier.
“That’s fine,” Hugh said.
The young woman lit the candles in the room then picked up the basket from the floor, where Hugh had set it when they’d played cards. She looked from him to Lady Penelope and back again. “Is there anything else I can get ye?”
Hugh turned toward the door. “No. Thank you for dinner. When you come to fetch the dishes, would you bring another blanket, please?”
“Happy to, Mr. Tarleton.” She flashed him an inviting smile and swept her gaze over him. “Though if it’s for ye, I can think of other ways to keep ye warm,” she whispered. With a low laugh, she exited the room.
Hugh locked the door behind her and turned back toward Lady Penelope, who was frowning at him.
“Did she just try to seduce you?”
That was too elegant a description. “Seduction is probably not accurate.”
“Then what would you call it?”
“A proposition.” He’d no doubt she would have expected payment.
Lady Penelope made a sound low in her throat before looking toward the table. There’d been an edge to her questions. Almost as if she were…jealous. Something tripped inside him.
“Shall we eat?” he asked, thinking it best if they steered the conversation in another direction.
