Page 55 of Tempting the Earl

“I meant no offense.”

“Nay, of course not,” she assured quickly. “Fair warning, it’s been a while since I’ve had an opportunity to put my skills to use.” She smirked. “I hope you’re prepared to take the lead, my lord.”

They’d just reached the edge of the dance floor and he turned to face her as she finished speaking. She’d meant her last words to sound a wee bit taunting, but when his blue eyes met hers, their intensity made her feel as though she might’ve triggered something that went deeper than a simple challenge.

“I’ve no trouble leading, Miss Morgan. I suspect the trouble might lie more in your willingness to surrender to my direction.”

“You’re likely right,” she admitted with a small grimace. “Surrendering is not a concept we Scots are verra comfortable with.”

He stepped toward her, slowly, and fitted his hand around the small of her back. Taking her other hand in his, he raised it to the proper position.

“Nor you, specifically, I imagine.” His voice lowered. “It does require a significant degree of trust.”

He held her gaze as he took another step closer. His hand slid up the column of her spine until it reached the space between her shoulder blades.

“And at least some experience with the idea of cooperation.”

Though she grimaced at the jab, she automatically lifted her hand into position on his strong shoulder.

His mouth curved as he looked down at her. The smile was characteristically reserved. But it stayed in place even as he spoke. “Not to mention a certain willingness to yield.”

The hint of challenge and temptation hidden in his tone and the deep sparkle of his gaze lit something inside her. She felt a desperate urging, just as she had in that quick moment before she’d pressed her lips to his in the kitchen. Before he’d taken over to make her body sing with wonderous sensations. Before he’d walked away from her.

As he strengthened his frame and swept them into the first steps of the waltz, she decided not to think on his prior rejection. There was a time not long ago when she’d have argued against every one of his points. But tonight...she was tempted to hand herself over to his lead. If only to see where he’d take her.

Chapter Eighteen

Considering she was who she was, Colin expected more resistance from Ainsworth as he swept her onto the dance floor.

But she glided along in his arms as though meant to be there. Her expression retained a trace of rebellion in the press of her lush lips and the brightness of her gaze, but her body accepted his direction with surprising ease and grace.

After a few minutes, however, she looked up at him with an expression of growing concern. Knowing she would speak her mind in time, he waited patiently and was rewarded within thirty seconds.

“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you earlier. I shouldnae’ve said that to your mother.”

“No, you absolutely should have,” he replied. “My mother’s heart is generally in the right place, but she can be...thoughtless at times. It’s good for her to be reminded how her careless attitudes can affect others.” He met her gaze with a direct stare. “And you certainly didn’t embarrass me. I only wish I’d spoken more quickly in defense of my siblings.”

“You would’ve,” she assured. “I’m just a wee bit touchy when it comes to some things.”

“Your dedication to standing strong in your beliefs is one thing I admire about you.”

A faint blush colored her cheeks as she lowered her chin. Was she that unaccustomed to praise?

He was tempted to tease her about it but couldn’t quite call the proper words. More than teasing, he wanted to shower her with more praise. He suddenly wanted to tell her how much he respected her fortitude against the many obstacles she’d overcome. He wanted to say how grateful he was for her devotion to Caillie. He wanted to express his gratitude for allowing him a chance with his sister even when she’d believed him to be cut from the same cloth as his father. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her he thought her eyes were the loveliest shade of green he’d ever seen and that her smile was the perfect combination of mischief and delight. And that whenever he was in her presence, he became filled with the desire to be the best possible version of himself.

Instead, he settled on a much more innocuous choice. “It would seem the years since your dance lessons were negligible.”

The accolade was stiff and awkward at best, but she tilted her head as a half smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “I reckon I should acknowledge your skill as well. I honestly didnae expect you to be so light on your feet.”

He narrowed his gaze at her backhanded compliment. Then, acting totally on impulse, he pulled her close and led her through a series of quick, breathless turns. By the third one, she was laughing—a free and joyful sound.

As their steps resumed a more sedate pattern, she grinned with unabashed pleasure. “My dance instructor never performed that maneuver.”

He cleared his throat. “No doubt due to the waltz’s scandalous nature.”

She laughed. “It’s lively to be sure, but I wouldnae go so far as to call the dance scandalous.”

An uncharacteristic recklessness made him shorten the space between them, until her breasts brushed very lightly against his chest and their mouths were inches away as he whispered, “Wouldn’t you?”

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