Page 67 of If the Duke Dares
“I suppose you have a point. Perhaps I’ll host a party at my mother’s house and not invite them or their families. Actions have consequences.” Acton thought of Bane and how he seemed to have escaped with his misbehavior. “Or they should anyway.”
“Pandora is certainly paying forheractions and for those of Bane,” Persephone said darkly. “I know she made a poor choice, but who hasn’t? Look at us right now.” Before Acton could respond to that, she went on. “Pandora was the one expected to make a magnificent marriage. She was to have a Season in London—if my parents could afford it.”
The Radstocks did have financial challenges, then. That would explain her father’s rush to secure a marriage settlement. “You have a dowry, though.”
She let out a short laugh. “A small one. Did my father not tell you what it was?”
“I’m afraid our conversation didn’t last that long. Once I recognized you in the miniature, I was eager to get back to you. I left Loxley Court almost immediately.”
“Did you?” She sounded almost breathless.
“When I thought of you alone, without protection, I couldn’t just sit there.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t go to Radstock Hall—didn’t they tell you I’d gone home?”
“In hindsight, I wonder why I didn’t. However, I had just seen you that morning in Gloucester, and that seemed the best place to start. I expected to have to search for you. But then, I wasn’t sure if you were running away and if so, why.”
“Right. At one point, you suspected I was going to meet someone—a gentleman.” She smiled coyly. “How roguish of you to think that.”
“I’m afraid I may be incurably roguish. I mean, here we are in a dark garden.” He sobered for a moment. “This is exactly the ruinous behavior you accused me of.”
“I know.” She put her hand on his chest. “And yet here I am. Sometimes, roguery is apparently warranted.”
“I don’t believe there’s any danger of us being caught. I would never want to put you in a compromising position.” He grimaced. “Though I realize just being here is a risk. If we were seen together, I would never abandon you.”
“Thank you for saying that. I should not have encouraged you to come, particularly when you are trying to redeem yourself. But I wanted this moment—with you—for me.” She took his hand. He hadn’t bothered with gloves, and neither had she. Indeed, she was dressed simply, in a round gown that would open down the front. That he recognized the mechanics of a woman’s wardrobe only emphasized his rake status.
He groaned as she led him away from the tree to the corner of the garden where a bench sat behind a tall wall of shrubbery.
“Why are you making that noise?” she asked as she pulled him to sit down beside her.
“Because I was noting your garments and how they would unfasten. I really am a blackguard. Perhaps you should go back inside.” Despite saying that, he did not release her hand.
She arched a brow. “Do you intend to disrobe me? I must ask that you do not. While it’s not cold, it’s not exactly warm either. My skin will be bumpy with gooseflesh.”
He envisioned that as well as what the cold air would do to her nipples if her breasts were bare. His cock, half-erect since she’d come outside, roared to full arousal.
“Persey, I am nearly mad with want for you. Please tell me I may kiss you. Now.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the back, savoring the silkiness of her skin and her delectable floral scent.
“You are kissing me,” she said. “Unless you are asking to do so in a more intimate fashion.”
Keeping hold of her hand between them, he used his other hand to cup her face. “Do you know what that could mean?”
She hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly. “Your mouth pressed to mine?”
“While that is more intimate, I’m afraid my roguish brain went directly to the most intimate kiss I could offer you. My mouth on your sex. Have you not heard of such a thing?”
She was slow to respond again, and he felt a faint tremor in her hand. Was she frightened? “I have. But I have not experienced such an act.”
That comment made him think she’d experienced something. And she certainly hadn’t shrunk from kissing him the other day. “Whathaveyou experienced?”
She looked down. “I’m afraid to say. I don’t want you to think less of me.”
He moved his hand to her chin and tilted her head back up. “You think I, a known scoundrel, could possibly fault you for anything?”
A smile curled her lips. “Well, when you put it like that, I suppose I should proudly share my exploits with you. Several years ago, I became…intimate with a young man I met in Weston one summer. It was just the one time, and it was rather unimpressive.”
“Intimate…as in you had intercourse with him?” He wanted to be sure he understood.
