Page 58 of A Viscount's Bet of Seduction

Chapter 34

Lucy’s pulse raced. There was a now familiar warm feeling pooling in her belly. She was excited to finally be alone with him; it had been a long while since it had last happened. That had been the day when he had asked to court her.

She recalled how they had kissed, the heat of it. She knew, with certainty, what he planned in coming there. And she was pleased that he had come.

They both sat down on the settee. He sat close to her, the burning look in his eyes telling her just how much he wanted her. He was close enough for her to feel the comforting solid warmth of his body.

She swallowed, her eyes casting about the room.I shouldn’t have agreed, she thought.If any of the neighbours saw, then I will be ruined.

When she looked at him, though, they were drawn instantly together. All worries about the neighbours vanished. Silas leaned in, his lips capturing her own. His hand was on her cheek, while the other one was on her waist. He tasted of ale, though he wasn’t drunk. There was the hint of spice, too.

She kissed him back, her mind spinning as her body reacted. She was filled with want. She wanted more from him, more even than this. He moaned softly, and she knew that he wanted her just as much.

Lucy pulled away, panting. If she wasn’t careful, she would lose her head. She had never known such passion and desire. She had never been so drawn to someone. Even Edward didn’t compare.

Silas’s eyes were soft. “What is it, Lucy?” he asked her. “What’s the matter?” He reached up, cupping her cheek in his hand, then rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip. This gentle touch caused her to burn with desire. She wondered how he knew exactly what to do to make her feel this way.

“I feel like I’ve taken leave of my senses,” she explained, looking away. “It feels like it happens a lot with you.”

“You know that I plan to marry you.”

Their eyes met, and she smiled. “Yes, I know.”

“I would never allow you to be ruined,” he said.

“Why did you come here?” she asked. “I thought that you were going to be out with Mr. Wilmington.” He had told her as much earlier that day, when he had called on her.

“I ran into an old flame,” he explained. Lucy panicked. “It’s a flame that had long been out. When I saw her, I was reminded of how much I love you.”

“You love me?” She knew she was beaming. It was the first time that he’d said he was in love, and not merely falling in love. He smiled back, reaching up to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingertip trailing across her skin.

“I love you,” he replied, leaning in to kiss her again. She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him back with fervour.

Lucy had never been so happy in all her life. She couldn’t believe that this was happening. It all seemed too good to be true… but it was real. All of it. She allowed herself to become swept away.

Finally, he pulled away. He kissed her chastely on her cheekbone. She felt her skin tingle at the touch, and she felt that kiss long after he’d gone.

“I should go,” he said, his thumb caressing her cheek. “If I stay too much longer, I don’t think that I’ll be able to control myself.”

“Nor I,” she agreed.

“Heaven forbid, your aunt should come home and find us here, alone,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

She laughed. “Indeed,” she agreed. “It would be hard to explain.”

“I love you, Lucy.”

“I love you, too.” The declaration felt right. Everything was going so well, flowing like a smooth, well-travelled path, one that they were both walking down together.

What surprised her the most was how easy it was. It wasn’t frightening in the least. There was no uncertainty. She felt completely secure. What was more, she felt cherished, appreciated.

She showed him to the door, and he vanished into the night. Lucy closed and locked the door, and then she leaned back against it, breathing out in a long, happy sigh. She crossed her arms around herself, closing her eyes and replaying what had just occurred.

Oddly enough, I’m glad that Aunt Joan forced me to go to Thornbridge Manor.

She gasped, her hands going to her flushed cheeks. Aunt Joan would be home at any moment! Here she was, mooning about! Lucy made her way upstairs, then settled in on the settee with her book. She stared at the open pages, though her eyes did not see the words written there.

Her mind and all of her senses were filled with Silas. She couldn’t stop smiling. She was glad that she had listened to Aunt Joan’s advice. There was so much for her to look forward to—she was going to have a life with the man that she loved. Everything else was just extra.

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