Page 34 of Educated By the Earl (Second Sons of London 1)

Especially since they were using tongues.

The idea that tongues were involved in kissing still startled her. She wondered how she could bring up the topic with Adalyn and Louisa since they had to have been kissed by now. But if she did, they would wonder how she even knew about it. It would come out that Lord Middlefield had kissed her that way and she would never hear the end of it.

What bothered her even more was how much she wanted to kiss him again.

Tessa also struggled with how his kiss made her feel. It had brought this incredible rush of giddiness, a lightness that possessed her. Those marvelous tingles, too, were an incredible surprise and felt so, so good. Worse, as she sat trying to forget everything about the kiss, it only made her remember how other parts of her body came alive. Her breasts had begun to ache. Where her legs joined pulsed so that she had wanted to touch there.

No, she had wanted Lord Middlefield to touch her there.

That would be an abomination.

Tessa tried to clear her mind of all thought. What was that called? It had been discussed during the lecture regarding Far Eastern religions. Meditation. That was the word. Those of certain faiths would engage their minds in a type of mental exercise. The lecturer had said an individual should concentrate on one’s breathing or repeating a simple phrase. Doing so would bring about a sense of peace.

She tried it, gazing straight ahead and counting her breath as she drew it in and back out again. She did this several times and then began repeating the phraseForget himin her mind, over and over. But the more she silently repeated it, the more she thought of who the him was.

Squeezing her eyes closed, she opened them again and looked to the speaker. She listened and found his lecture already done. He was now taking questions. Oh, she wished she had heard what he had to say. It was all the dreadful Lord Middlefield’s fault for intruding on her thoughts. For kissing her without permission. For announcing to her that he was going to woo her. The audacity of the man was beyond the pale.

Applause began, drawing her from her reveries, and Tessa clapped politely. As it ended, others about them began rising and she and the earl did the same.

“He was fascinating,” Lord Middlefield said. “I believe he’s correct. That the Rosetta Stone will contain the key to breaking the code of hieroglyphics. If the Greek can be matched and translated to the other two decrees on the stone, it will unlock the entirety of hieroglyphics and a huge chunk of history to us.”

Tessa saw the excitement on his face. Despite wanting to dislike him—actually, to have nothing to do with him—he looked boyishly appealing as he spoke.

“I agree with you. The Rosetta Stone holds the key to a largely unknown bit of history. When we can gain an accurate translation and apply our knowledge to other hieroglyphics, it will be a true discovery for the ages.”

“I already want to see the stone again,” he told her. “But I know too many who attended the lecture will go to see it now. I will come back soon.” He looked at her hopefully. “Perhaps you might accompany me?”

“I don’t believe that is a good idea, my lord. While I did not mind introducing you to the British Museum, it is something you will need to visit on your own.”

“Even though you come here often,” he pointed out. “And I could accompany you.”

She firmed her resolve. “I don’t mean to sound rude but I am not interested in you and do not wish for your company.”

“Because of my declaration.”

“Especially because of your declaration,” she agreed. “You have noted that I am intelligent. I will make my own decision regarding the man I wish to wed. You are not that man, Lord Middlefield. I do hope you will find a lovely young woman to become your countess.”

“Just not you.”

“No. Definitely not me.”

“Even though you kissed me back.”

Tessa started. “What?”

“You kissed me back,” he told her. “I kissed you first but you participated in the kiss, Tessa. And then you responded to it. You even took the initiative and began kissing me.” He grinned. “Do I need to remind you how your tongue wound up in my mouth?”

“Bloody hell,” she hissed.

His grinned broadened. “See. There’s the passion I spoke about.”

“It is not passion,” she said, disagreeable. “It is my ire which is speaking.”

“I would rather have your rage than your indifference. Come, let us return to the carriage. I am sure we will find the missing-in-action Abra.”

Without asking, he took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. Tessa fairly boiled over in anger but contained it. She would not make a public scene. She refused to draw attention to them. As it was, they were among the last to head up the stairs and exit the lecture hall.

Keeping silent, she allowed Lord Middlefield to escort her from the museum and to the waiting carriage outside. As expected, Abra stood next to the vehicle, her cheeks blooming.

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