Page 136 of Heartbreaker of the Ton
“Was it nothing to give sanctuary to two young women whom the world viewed as merely the property of others, then furnish them with a purpose—giving them safety and the freedom to dictate their own futures? Would you truly callthatnothing?”
He placed a kiss on her thigh, his body flaring with lust as he caught the faint aroma of female desire.
She wanted him. He only had to lift her skirts further and claim her as his—to pull her to the hearth rug and take her for his own.
But he was not his brother. Though desire flared in her eyes to match his, it was a desire born of her body’s need. And he did not merely want to claim her body—he wanted her heart.
The door opened, and a neat young woman in a dark blue gown entered, holding a cup.
“Miss Juliette, I’ve brought you some hot chocolate. I—Oh!” she let out a shriek as she caught sight of Andrew, and he lowered Etty’s gown and leaped to his feet.
“Frannie, is that you?”
“Vicar!” she cried. “What have you done to Miss Juliette?”
“He brought me back, Frances,” Etty said. “He’s been taking care of me.”
“Has he, now?” Frannie asked, tilting her head to one side and eyeing Andrew with suspicion. “I’m the one to take care of you, miss. I can’t think why Simon didn’t send for me. But I’m here now.”
“It’s all right, Frances,” Etty said.
“Is it?” Frannie glared at Andrew. “You were very distressed earlier on account of your encounter with…Lord Radham. I’ll not have you distressed again, not by anyone.”
The girl spoke with a confidence Andrew had never heard before. Gone was the timid farmer’s daughter living under a cloud of disgrace. Before him stood an assertive young woman, taking care of her mistress and showing pride in her employment.
“You have my word that the very last thing I want is to distress your mistress,” Andrew said. “I believe I have finally come to learn her true worth.”
“Then I am glad of it,” Frannie said, smiling. “Thank you, vicar—forgive me,Lord Radham.”
“You may call me what you like, Frannie,” Andrew said. He gestured toward the cup. “Is that for your mistress?”
“It’s hot chocolate.”
Joy shone in Etty’s eyes. “My favorite,” she said. “How kind.”
“Allow me,” Andrew said, taking the cup from Frannie. “Would you be so kind as to give me leave to spend a little time alone with your mistress?”
“It’s not proper, your lordship,” Frannie said. “A lady’s maid shouldn’t let her mistress…”
“I think we can dispense with propriety,” Etty said. “You may go. And thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Frannie blushed, a shy expression in her eyes, then exited the chamber, closing the door behind her.
Andrew drew up a chair beside Etty then held the cup to her lips. “Here,” he said.
“I can hold a cup by myself, Andrew.”
He caught his breath as her fingers brushed against his. Her eyes widened and she lifted the cup to her mouth. When she lowered it again, he saw a bead of moisture on her lip.
“You’ve spilled some,” he said.
She lifted her hand to wipe the droplet away, but he caught it, sliding his fingers through hers.
“No, let me,” he said, leaning toward her until their lips met. He flicked his tongue out, running the tip along her lips until he tasted the chocolate. “So sweet,” he breathed. “Does the rest of you taste as sweet?”
Desire flared in her eyes again, but before he could kiss her, she lifted the cup to her lips once more. Then she lowered it again, revealing a droplet of chocolate on her chin.
He needed no further encouragement. He placed a gentle kiss on her chin, tasting the chocolate, then claimed her mouth once more, slipping his tongue between her lips, relishing the smoky sweetness inside. He lowered his gaze to her neckline and the swell of her breasts where the skin had grown a delectable shade of pink to match her face. And just beneath the neckline…
