Page 38 of When the Viscount Seduces
Too late, she realized she hadn’t modulated her tone.
Then she was plunged into darkness as a garment was thrown over her head. The smell of burnt fabric filled her nostrils as someone smacked at the back of her head and shoulders.
“It’s out,” Somerton said, sounding relieved. “Come, Great-Aunt Beatrice, let us survey the damage.” He took Gwen’s arm and steered her toward the doorway.
“There’s a retiring room at the end of the corridor on the left,” Mrs. Davenport said near the door. “Are you all right, Miss Villiers?”
Gwen now understood that she had been on fire. Rather her veil. And Somerton had thrown whatever beverage he’d obtained at her, then draped a garment over her. Was it his coat?
“She’ll be fine,” Somerton said before Gwen could respond. Then they were out of the drawing room, and he was hurrying her toward the retiring room. When they arrived, he ushered her into the room, but upon hearing voices, Gwen realized it was not empty.
“Pardon us,” Somerton said. “Would you mind giving me and my great-aunt some privacy? She’s just suffered a mishap with a candle and her veil, and I’m afraid she’ll need to tidy up.”
“Of course,” someone replied, and a moment later, Gwen heard the snap of the door closing.
And then there was light—or more light than there had been—as Somerton removed the garment. “Are you all right?” he asked, sounding most concerned.
He moved behind her, and she felt him fussing with her veil and then running his hand over her shoulder and the upper part of her back. That felt rather nice, actually.
“Your veil has a large hole, and from the right angle, someone standing beside you can see your ear and probably the side of your face. I threw my coat over you to ensure no one glimpsed that you are not a pockmarked septuagenarian.”
Gwen pushed the veil up so she could see. “This is so much better.” She pivoted to face him. “Did I really catch my veil onfire?”
“Yes.” He stared at her, his expression a mix of concern and consternation.
“I was just trying to walk to Miss Stainesby so I could speak with her.” Gwen pursed her lips. “I knew I shouldn’t have tried, but it was only a handful of steps!” She lifted her hand to touch the veil where it was damaged. “What did you toss on me? It feels sticky.”
“Ratafia. That was all that was available. I didn’t really want it, but Mrs. Davenport insisted you needed something to drink. So I took it, and I’m glad I did.”
There was a tall mirror in the corner. Gwen went to stand in front of it and survey the damage. Turning her head, she saw the singed veil. “You are correct that this will allow people to see me.” An idea struck her. “I can just take it off and turn it so the hole is in the back, though it is rather damp. Will that allowpeople to see I am not an elderly woman?” She began removing pins.
When she was finished, she looked in the mirror once more. Her gaze met Somerton’s. He was standing behind her—not too close, but the intensity of his stare in the glass made it feel like he was directly at her back. Indeed, she imagined she felt his hand moving over her again, his caress stirring something forbidden inside her.
Gwen turned to face him. “Will you help me adjust it so the hole won’t reveal anything?”
Somerton stepped toward her, his eyes dark and his jaw tight. He lifted his hands and rotated the veil atop her head.
Now he was very close. So close she could smell his tantalizing fragrance—pine and spice. It stirred her senses, as did his proximity. She’d been this close to him before when they’d waltzed and when they’d worked together on his reading. But this felt different.
“Did you mean what you said this afternoon?” she asked, her voice now sounding rather low and gravelly, quite the opposite of her Great-Aunt Beatrice voice.
“What?” His gaze held hers as his hands remained poised at her head.
“That if I weren’t your friend’s sister, you would have kissed me a half dozen times.”
“Yes. At least that many.” He uttered the words without hesitation and with great certainty.
“Perhaps you could just let me have one?”
His hands came onto her head and skimmed down her face, cupping her cheeks. “Gwen, do you know what you are asking?”
“Yes.”
“And you know who I am.WhatI am.”
“Yes. That’s why I want you to kiss me.”
He groaned, his eyes closing for the barest moment. “You tempt me greatly.”
