Page 25 of When the Viscount Seduces
She looked up at him, and though they were in shadows, he could make out her dark eyes. “I know, but I’d heard there was a secret passageway to get to the men’s side, and I thought I could find it.”
“To what end?”
As she lifted a shoulder, a sheepish expression crossed her features. “I just wanted to peek.”
“You’d be caught. A woman, especially one who looks as lovely as you tonight, stands out.”
She glanced down. “You think I look lovely?”
Her emerald medieval gown was stunning, the oval neckline offering an exquisite frame of her collarbones. A pearl necklace shimmered against her smooth skin. But it was her dark locks that beckoned him. He longed to touch them and judge whether they were as soft as they looked. Seeing her hair down made it easier for him to envision her in a state of undress. Which was not something he ought to be doing.
“You are objectively beautiful,” he said, thinking his voice sounded rather tight. He blamed it on the tension of being herewith her. Not only was she not where she was supposed to be—on the men’s side of the club—they were together in a dark alcove where Lazarus could be expected to steal a kiss or a caress.
God, he was tempted.
Miss Price smelled inexplicably of sun and citrus, like a bright summer day. He closed his eyes briefly and inhaled her scent, letting it wash over him and saturate his senses.
Temptation was fast turning into desperation.
“You need to go back to the ball,” he said.
“You can escort me.”
“Not from here, I can’t. You’ll be lucky if you can steal back into the ballroom without being noticed.”
“You make a good point.” She exhaled. “I didn’t really think this through. It’s just that I needed a respite. It’s been a very busy evening. I’ve never danced so much.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.” And yet that annoying prick of jealousy returned.
“Well, it hasn’t been ideal. I’m still terrible, but at least I’ve only run into someone twice and stepped on someone’s toes once. And I forgot the steps once too. Or perhaps it was twice.” She sounded so adorably concerned and yet not at the same time. It was as if she knew she should care that her dancing was horrid, but ultimately didn’t. He had the sense that she tried to hide the latter from most people. Not him, however.
It seemed they were honest with one another.
“I should tell you that I spoke with your brother,” Lazarus said, embracing honesty. “Rather, he approached me and asked if I was courting you. I felt it necessary to tell him I am not, that I am helping you gain admirers.”
“I’m sorry you were in that position,” she said. “I know you and Evan are friends. I will speak to my mother posthaste andexplain that you’ve been helping me, that your interest isn’t real.”
“That sounds almost callous,” he murmured, thinking hisinterestin this moment was achingly real.
Her bare hand—gloves were not a part of her costume—flattened gently against his chest. Lazarus sucked in a breath at the contact. She could have no idea what her innocent touch was suddenly doing to him. All manner of torrid thoughts shot through his brain and an accompanying heat flooded his body. His cock began to swell.
This wasterrible.
“You aren’t callous,” she said, her gaze meeting and holding his. “I have you to thank for the change in my fortune. I will have at least two callers tomorrow, so it may be that our ruse is nearly complete.”
Panic streaked through him. They couldn’t be finished. She’d barely begun to help him with his reading.
“But don’t think that means I won’t continue tutoring you,” she said quickly. “I am committed to helping you, no matter how long it takes.”
Lazarus imagined her wed to someone else, but continuing to meet with him in secret. That would be incredibly risky. He wouldn’t want to ask that of her.
She really needed to get back. “You must go,” he urged.
“Yes.” She took her hand from his chest and walked from the alcove. He stepped out just as she slipped through the curtains.
He made to follow her, but stopped himself. Then he heard her name called from the ballroom.
She’d been voted queen!
