Sarah Mallory - A Regency Baron's Bride - To Catch a Husband... / The Wicked Baron

‘It’s what any man would do with a pretty girl.’

‘Oh …’ She blushed, momentarily diverted. ‘Do—do you really think I’m pretty?’

His eyes rested on her for a moment, a look in them that she could not interpret.

‘As a matter of fact, I do.’

‘Oh,’ she said again. ‘Well, perhaps he did flirt with me, and I didn’t know it.’ She got up and walked to the window, staring out into the yard, which despite the late hour was still bustling with activity beneath the light of a dozen flaming torches.

‘What did he say to you?’ he asked.

She frowned, trying to remember.

‘I really cannot recall, we merely strolled along the path.’

‘And did he walk very close to you?’ asked Daniel.

Kitty did not need to turn her head to know that Daniel was standing behind her; his body was only inches from her own. She could feel his presence, it made her spine tingle. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on the view from the window and forced herself to stand still.

‘I held his arm,’ she said carefully.

‘But did he at any time stop and direct your attention to the view? Like this, perhaps.’

He rested his hands lightly on her shoulders. His touch was warm on her skin and it took all her willpower not to drop her head to one side and rub her cheek against his fingers. She was so tense she felt as brittle as glass. At any moment she might shatter. She had to struggle to answer him.

‘No, he did not.’

‘Then the man is most decidedly a fool,’ murmured Daniel.

The vibration of his warm, deep voice was carried through his hands and into her bones. Her insides became an aching void, the ache spreading quickly into her thighs. Even her breasts felt taut. She knew she should make some flippant comment, slip out from under his hands and put distance between them, but she was no longer in control. She heard herself saying, ‘Oh, and why is that?’

‘Because from here it is the work of a moment to turn you, like this, and then.’

Gently he pulled her round to face him. Kitty turned, like one in a dream, and obedient to the pressure of his fingers beneath her chin she raised her head and found herself gazing up into his face. She watched the amused glint disappear from his dark eyes. They seemed to blaze, burning into her. The aching void was instantly filled with white-hot fire. Daniel swooped down, enveloping her. He crushed her against him, imprisoning her lips beneath his own, his arms binding her close. She was overwhelmed, confused, as if she was flying, drowning and burning all at the same time. Her knees felt weak, she clung to his coat, and all the while her senses were reeling under the onslaught of his kiss. It was as savage and wild as the Yorkshire moors and it drew from her a shuddering response. When Daniel loosened his hold and raised his head she gave a little cry and threw her arms about his neck, pulling him back to kiss her again.

Daniel found himself locked in a fierce, passionate embrace. Being alone in the candlelight with a beguiling young woman was certainly a temptation, and he had given in to it, but he had intended nothing more than a light kiss. However, when he had pulled her into his arms all conscious thought disappeared and a violent, uncontrollable desire ripped through him. That had surprised him, but what had completely thrown him off balance was that when he had tried to apologise for frightening her, Kitty had pulled him back and shown herself eager for his kisses. He found her inexpert but ardent response more arousing than the practised arts of any courtesan. She was so damned alluring. Dangerously so. He summoned every ounce of his will-power to break away. Gripping her arms, he pushed her gently but firmly back into the chair.

‘Did, did I do something wrong?’ She looked up at him, her eyes troubled.

‘No, sweetheart.’ He dropped to his knees in front of her and gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. ‘I am at fault for taking advantage of you.’ His hands slid down and he caught her fingers. ‘I should never have allowed you to sup alone with me.’ Shouts and the clatter of hooves in the yard made him look up at the unshuttered window. ‘I only hope the stable lads were too busy with their work to notice what was going on in here. Thankfully it is brighter in the yard than in this parlour.’ He glanced back at Kitty, his heart turning over when he saw the anxious look on her face. He said bluntly, ‘I am afraid I may have damaged your reputation, Miss Wythenshawe.’

‘Because you kissed me?’

He squeezed her fingers.

‘Just being alone here with me is enough to compromise you.’

She considered this for a moment. He was pleased to see the bemused look had gone and she was more in control of herself.

‘I am sure Lord Leaconham and my godmother will not wish to talk about this evening.’

‘But there is the landlord, and the servants.’

She shrugged.

‘I am not known here, sir, neither are you. Who are they likely to tell?’

‘A few judicious coins in the right hands might secure their silence. Are you willing to trust that no one will find out about our being here together?’

She gave him a little smile.

‘What is the alternative, Mr Blackwood?’

He shrugged.

‘That we marry, I suppose.’

Daniel cursed silently even as the words left his lips. Devil take it, what was he saying? He had surely imbibed more than he had intended tonight! He saw her eyes widen, felt the little hands tremble and a moment later she gently withdrew them from his grasp.

‘Out of the question, sir,’ she said crisply, leaving her chair and walking away from him. ‘Why, we hardly know each other. And I am sure your family has no idea of your marrying a penniless bride.’

Daniel rose to his feet, not knowing if he was more relieved or disappointed at her response. Did she think so little of him that he was not even to be considered as a husband?

‘No, of course not, but neither would they have me compromise a young lady.’

She was standing with her back to him but at this she turned. The lighted candles behind her framed her dark head with a golden halo, but the shadows concealed her expression.

‘Then we must hope word does not get abroad,’ she said quietly. ‘Perhaps you would be good enough to—what is the term?— grease a few palms to ensure it does not. I shall retire now, and in the morning we may behave as if this evening never occurred.’

‘If that is what you want.’

‘It is.’ She added lightly, ‘Have I not told you that I intend to marry a lord?’

She gave him a little curtsy and went out, leaving Daniel staring at the empty space.

Kitty entered the bedchamber quietly to find Lady Leaconham still sleeping soundly. She undressed quietly and slipped between the sheets, careful not to disturb her godmother.

The noise from the street had died away almost completely but despite this and the lateness of the hour, it was some time before Kitty fell asleep. Her body was still tingling with the excitement of being crushed in Daniel’s arms, her lips still bruised from his kiss. It had been shocking, yes, but she had not been frightened. She had found it fiercely exhilarating. Even now she felt more alive than ever before. She did not want to sleep, she wanted to stay awake and relive that startling, earth-shaking embrace over and over again. The mere thought of it sent an aching excitement shooting through her. She turned on her side and curled up, hugging the feeling to her. She wanted to remember for ever those few short hours spent with Daniel, because they could never be repeated. It was not allowed for respectable young ladies to kiss gentlemen they were not going to marry, and Daniel had no intention of marrying her. He had suggested it, but only because he thought he had compromised her—had he not agreed that his family would not want him to take a penniless bride? And her own family, her mother, Aunt Jane, Godmama—they all expected her to make a very good match. She had been sent to London with the express intention of finding a husband, and she knew that in her mother’s eyes at least, a mill-owner’s son was not an eligible suitor. Kitty sighed and closed her eyes. Images of Daniel Blackwood filled her mind and another delicious tingle ran through her.