by Aston, Alexa
The girl danced only adequately but he claimed another dance with her near the end of the ball. If he didn’t get what he wanted here tonight, he would ask to call upon her tomorrow and squeeze whatever information he could from her.
He moved about after that—dancing, flirting, and conversing with as many as possible. Several promised him invitations to future events, a good number from those he didn’t know well. Opening the ball with the Hampton chit had been a good move on his part.
When the time for their dance together came, Burke found Gemma and escorted her onto the ballroom floor. He took her into his arms as the music began. As he’d suspected, she moved with innate grace and was easily his best partner of the night.
“You’ve certainly made the rounds,” she quipped.
“I’m trying to get my face out there. Make connections. Whatever it takes to make our task easier.”
“Opening the ball with our hosts was a clever idea. I’m sure you nudged your way into that.”
“The daughter showed interest in me. What can I say? I may be missing an eye but I’m intriguing.” He grinned. “And definitely a rogue.”
“Oh, yes. That’s been the talk of you tonight.”
His eyebrows arched. “You’ve heard gossip about me?”
She smiled regally. “More than I would care to hear. You are certainly the topic of conversation for tonight. Your background. Whom you are related to. Your war injury. Some have said it is too bad you gave your eye for the war. Most others believe your eyepatch only adds to your allure. I’ve heard you called quite handsome so many times that I’ve grown bored.”
Burke tightened his hold on her, pulling her a little closer than was expected. “I would hate for you to be bored, Lady Covington.”
Her breasts now brushed against his chest. He only wished they were alone and he could free them from their hiding place. He imagined sucking on her nipples. Hearing her gasp. Making her want him.
She licked her lips nervously. “I think the dance is finishing.”
The last strains of the waltz sounded and Burke held her a moment longer before releasing her and offering his arm to her.
“May I escort you into supper, my lady?”
“Yes, Mr. Nicholson. Thank you.”
They went through the buffet line and then sat on the end of a table. He gobbled down his food while she picked at hers. He knew she had to be nervous, knowing what came next. He needed to be aware of those nerves. While Gemma had a good head on her shoulders, she wasn’t trained for this line of work. They’d discussed it, again and again, to make her know exactly what to do when they entered someone’s study. He’d divided up their tasks so they wouldn’t be bumping into one another and they could work quickly and independently. In this line of work, time was of the essence. They might have only short windows to search rooms.
“Have some of your champagne,” he urged.
“No. It makes me giddy.”
“Just a sip then. You don’t want to draw attention to yourself for not partaking.”
“All right.” She took a hearty sip and then put the flute down. “If you will excuse me, Mr. Nicholson. I feel the need to go to the retiring room.”
He rose. “Of course, Lady Covington. I think I might do the same.”
They slipped away, Burke allowing her to go first before following, and they made their way toward the stairs. No one was in sight.
“Wait here. Count to twenty then follow me up,” Burke said.
He wanted to go first in case anyone was present. He reached the landing and saw no one above him and quickly climbed to the next floor. Gemma arrived soon after. Without thinking, he took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers and pulling her down the corridor. He wanted to keep her close. If they came upon anyone, they could go into their act.
Trying a few doors along the way, he found them all unlocked. Then he came to one which didn’t budge. Without prompting, Gemma pulled a pin from her hair and handed it to him. Burke played with the lock and it gave. He pulled her inside and locked it behind them.
Handing her the hairpin, she replaced it while he moved to the desk and began a methodical search. She did the same, looking through books in the bookcase and drawers in another piece of furniture near the door. They’d practiced this at both her place and his, timing themselves. He knew they couldn’t be gone too long without arousing suspicions.
Burke finished his search. “Nothing,” he reported, making sure everything was as he’d found it.
“I found two letters from his mistress. One undated and one from ten days ago. Not the mistress we thought he had—unless he’s dallying with two women that aren’t his wife.”
“Did you read them?”
“Yes. I think we have everything we need, Burke. We should return downstairs.”
He took her hand and moved swiftly across the room. “We’ll discuss what you learned tomorrow.”
They’d decided to not waste time doing so at the event they attended, instead reviewing the information discovered the next morning unless they wound up in the same carriage, which would be infrequent, if at all.
Reaching the door, he heard the key in the lock from the other side. Quickly, he spun Gemma around, his fingers pinning her wrists to the wall, her head between them. His body pressed against hers and his mouth came down hard on hers, forcing her lips open.
Burke kissed her as he felt the slight breeze of the door opening. He only hoped whoever entered believed their story.
Chapter Ten
Gemma suddenly found herself swung around, thrust against the wall as Burke’s body crowded hers. No, it pushed into hers, leaving no space between them. His mouth covered hers and his tongue somehow swept inside, stroking hers.
Heat flooded her body and she felt her bones melting. Thank goodness he held her upright for if he hadn’t, she would have slid down the wall and become a puddle on the ground. As her pulse jumped, her body came to life against him and Gemma answered his kiss. She hadn’t known tongues were involved in kissing but found it a wonderful surprise.
Someone cleared his throat and Burke stilled. He broke the kiss and his lips hovered just above hers.
“You did well,” he whispered and then pulled away from her, lowering her wrists and releasing them.
His words deflated her. Of course, he’d kissed her because someone had entered the room. Burke was keeping to their cover story. His kiss had been one of necessity.
Not of need.
She turned her head and saw Lord Hampton standing there, his cheeks spotted red in anger.
“What are you doing in my study?” he demanded.
Burke smiled charmingly at their host. “I believe you can see what we were up to, Lord Hampton.”
“How did you get into a locked room?” the earl asked.
Gemma stepped forward. “It wasn’t locked, my lord,” she said guilelessly. “At least when I tried the handle, it opened to my touch. I did ask Mr. Nicholson to lock it behind us, though.”
She could feel the blush spreading from her neck up her cheeks and to her very roots.
The nobleman’s stare softened and she saw doubt enter his eyes. She only hoped it was in regard to him thinking he’d left the door unlocked—and not what the two of them were doing in his study.
“I’m sorry for invading your space, Lord Hampton,” she continued. “Mr. Nicholson and I merely were looking for somewhere to hold a . . . private conversation.”
Burke’s fingers found hers. He squeezed them reassuringly.
Gemma saw amusement flicker in the earl’s eyes and believed they had escaped.
“See that you find another place to conduct your assignation,” he said abruptly, glaring at Burke.
“Forgive us, Lord Hampton. We won’t trouble you again.” He glanced to her. “Come, Lady Covington. We should return to the ball.”
Burke offered her his arm and Gemma slipped her hand through it. They exited the room and said nothing until they reache
d the staircase.
As they descended, he said, “Hampton is cagey. He’ll have us watched the rest of the evening. Come dance with me and then we’ll go outside to the terrace.”
She nodded mutely, accompanying him to the ballroom. A song was just being struck up and he led her onto the dance floor. The lively tune brought her back into the moment and she thought only of the dance. She had to—else she’d collapse.
When the music ended, Burke guided her from the crowded room and out the terrace doors. The air had a chill in it and she hoped they wouldn’t be outside for long.
As they strolled across the wide expanse, he said, “Carpenter was watching us as we danced. He and Hampton are thicker than thieves. It wouldn’t surprise me if he followed us out here.”
Burke paused and turned slightly before focusing entirely on her.
“He slipped out the door just now. Blended into the shadows. We’re going to have to convince him we came out here with a single purpose in mind. Flirt with me.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Flirt.”
“I . . . I don’t know how,” she sputtered.
He touched her face lightly. “Just do what you did with Smythe.”
“But we . . . we never flirted. Rob and I knew each other from childhood. There was never any need to pretend to be someone I wasn’t with him.”
He looked puzzled. “What do you think flirting is, Gemma?”
She snorted. “It’s when women of the ton act in a completely false manner to lure a man in. They act differently and speak differently and become someone they’re not. I’ve seen it occur. I’ve been in conversation with a woman and when a man came up, she totally changed. I never did that with Rob. Never,” she insisted.
“Then we’ll have to teach you how to flirt. Only a little bit. You’ll need to act amorously toward me but in a casual manner.”
Now it was her turn to be puzzled. “How do I do that?”
Burke touched her face lightly again, causing butterflies to flit against her insides. He dropped his hand and Gemma wished he would do it again.
“Cock your head,” he instructed.
She did so and licked her lips.
“There!” he said, a triumphant look on his face.
“There, what?”
“You licked your lips.”
“I did? I was unaware I did so.”
“That’s an excellent way to flirt.”
“It is?”
“It is,” he assured her.
“But . . . why?”
He smiled. “It draws attention to your mouth. A man’s gaze will drop to your lips whenever you do so.”
She licked them again nervously and then caught herself doing it. “Oh!” she cried softly. “I didn’t mean to.”
“But you did.”
“And you’re looking at my mouth. I can tell.”
His eye moved from her lips to her eyes. “Yes. I was.”
Gemma worried her bottom lip.
“Ah, now you’re understanding.”
Frustrated, she asked, “Understanding what?”
“You bit your bottom lip.”
“So?”
“It’s another way to draw attention to your mouth,” he said. “Men love to see a woman do that.”
“They do? Why?”
“Because biting a lip as you kiss is so very enticing,” he replied.
*
Burke saw the bewildered look on Gemma’s face. Understanding dawned within him.
He’d briefly wondered when he’d kissed Gemma about her response. He thought it was because he’d caught her unaware. Then as he’d kissed her, she’d stiffened before relaxing. It almost seemed as if she hadn’t known what to do. He’d chalked it up to the suddenness of his actions.
Now, he wasn’t so sure.
Burke had heard talk of some men not kissing but that usually involved whores. He supposed there were some married men who didn’t partake in the practice, though he’d never understand why. He enjoyed kissing and could have done it for hours—with Gemma.
Especially if it meant he needed to teach her how to kiss.
“How long were you married?” he asked. “Before your husband reported for duty.”
“Two days,” she said, a blush spreading across her porcelain cheeks.
In two days, she would have made love with Smythe a handful of times. She would have been young and innocent and he a gentleman who wouldn’t want to overtax her. He might have even kept to brief kisses on the lips. Or not kissed her at all. If they were true childhood sweethearts and friends, as she’d indicated, Gemma might have never kissed any other man during her come-out.
And if The Don hadn’t truly kissed her, then Burke was the first man to do so. The thought brought a rush of heat through him.
He didn’t want to disparage her husband to her so he must approach this gently.
“Gemma, I realize some men don’t necessarily kiss their wives. The way I kissed you in Hampton’s study.”
Her blush deepened, making her even more beautiful than he thought possible.
“If you’ve never been kissed that way before, then I apologize for the suddenness of it. But if we are caught again, we must be convincing. In fact, even now I see Carpenter lingering in the shadows. He will report what he sees to Hampton. Our very mission could be in jeopardy on its first night.”
Her look of distress helped him to continue.
“To keep that from occurring, we’re going to need to kiss again. And persuade Carpenter we mean it. Can you do that?”
She nodded. “I think so.” She hesitated. “Does it involve . . . biting me?”
He almost laughed aloud, seeing her worried look, but kept a straight face. “It can. But not in the sense you mean. More . . . nipping you. Could we try that?”
She looked so innocent and naïve but gamely said, “Yes, Burke.”
“Cock your head.”
Gemma did so.
“Now, laugh. Low and throaty.”
“Why?”
“Because laughing at what a man says encourages him. He feels invincible. On top of the world when a woman he’s interested in laughs at what he says.”
She laughed. So convincing that he believed her.
Burke touched her face again, his fingers feather light as he stroked it.
“I’m going to lead you to the far end of the terrace. And we’re going to kiss. All right?”
She shuddered. “All right.”
“It won’t be distasteful. You’ll enjoy it.”
Her nose crinkled. “I’m sure you say that to all the women of your acquaintance.”
Guilt filled him. He had promised numerous times that a woman would enjoy his kisses—and more. And they had. Suddenly, all those times and nameless, faceless women held no meaning for Burke. He wanted Gemma.
Only Gemma.
He slipped an arm about her waist and maneuvered her to the far end of the terrace. It was chilly outside and they only passed two other couples. They stopped and had the area to themselves. He still sensed Carpenter’s eyes on them, coming from somewhere in the dark.
Burke faced her. “Put your palms flat against my chest.”
As she did so, he cupped her face with his right hand and placed his left on the small of her back, drawing her close. His thumb caressed her cheek and he saw something cloud her eyes.
Desire . . .
He wondered if he’d stirred a fire within Gemma—and hoped he had.
He lowered his head until their lips touched. Remembering her inexperience, he started slowly, brushing his lips across hers gently. Her palms pushed against his chest. Burke teased her mouth open and slid his tongue inside the velvet richness.
Heaven. That was what Gemma tasted like. Clouds on a summer’s day gently blown by the breeze. Warm sunshine. The feel of wet grass on his bare feet. Everything pleasurable. Her skin heated and the scent of vanilla wafted over him. Burke would never inhale the smell again without
thinking of her and this moment.
He deepened the kiss and she responded. A little unsure of herself but it charmed him, nonetheless. His arm tightened about her. His hand slid to the nape of her long, elegant neck, cupping it. Desire flared brightly within him as her confidence grew and she kissed him back. She moaned and he broke the kiss, softly biting into that full, bottom lip that had tempted him all night.
Gemma whimpered, her hands fisting now, and she kissed him harder. His tongue went to war with hers, both of them wanting to claim victory. It didn’t matter who won for every moment with her in his arms was a victory.
Burke knew he had to stop, though. He’d proved his point to Carpenter. Besides, if he didn’t stop now?
He didn’t know if he could.
She made a mewling sound again, tightening her grip on him, his clothes now bunched in her fingers. Burke reluctantly broke the kiss.
Gemma looked up at him, those blue eyes dark with passion. He would give anything to be able to explore her luscious curves. This wasn’t the time or place.
Unfortunately, it might never be.
He kissed her hard and then lifted his mouth from hers. Her lips were swollen from their passion.
She’d never looked more beautiful to him than in this moment.
“We need to stop,” he told her—though he was really speaking to himself.
Nodding, she released her hold on him, looking dazed.
The need to touch her one more time overcame him. Cupping her face, Burke said, “We’ll enter the ballroom at the far end. Go directly to the retiring room and collect yourself.”
Gemma nodded again, as if she couldn’t speak.
Reluctantly, he released her face and took her arm to guide her from the terrace and along the edge of the ballroom and out its doors.
“I’ll come by tomorrow morning so we can discuss what you found tonight.”
“Of course.” She smiled up at him and he thought she’d finally recovered from his kisses. “Good night, Mr. Nicholson.”
“Good night, Lady Covington,” he replied formally.
Burke watched until she entered the retiring room and then returned to the ballroom. He didn’t want to dance with another woman. He never wanted to kiss another woman.
