“What? I didn’t do anything.”
“You’re the reason she was sent to Paris in the first place. You made her the lady she is today.”
“No, a school in Paris did that to her.”
“If the both of you had never tried to burn your house down, she wouldn’t have been sent away.”
“We didn’t try to burn the house down,” he muttered, remembering the fiery blaze, the shock and fear as the room had caught fire way too quickly. He remembered how he’d grabbed twelve-year-old Alyssum and jumped out the window to land in the hedges. The disapproving gaze of her father as he’d found them dirty, sweaty and leaves sticking to their clothing. That was the night Alyssum had been spanked for the last time. After that she had been shipped off and had come back four years later as a proper, stiff lady who regarded him with cold indifference.
Pushing Alyssum from his mind, he twirled Violet around the room slowly and changed the subject of conversation to the weather.
Alyssum stared up at the man she was waltzing with. She had been taught to waltz at age nine. Harry had been selected as Violet’s partner while she had been stuck with Robert who had purposely kept treading on her toes. He had been surprised when she had just trod right back on his, harder. Their friendship had begun that morning.
Alyssum tried not cringe at how her dance partner practically drooled down her cleavage. This night wasn’t going how Jaz had described. Filled with romance, seduction, light touches and stolen kisses. It was, however, going along the lines of leering gazes, groping hands and vulgar whispers.
After she finished her dance and escaped the clutches of her partner, she snuck out onto the balcony. She breathed in the fresh, cool air. She heard voices below in the gardens. Turning, she walked over to the far edge of the balcony and hid in the shadows. She leaned her elbows on the rail and stared down at the ivy that grew over the stone. Even wearing this gown her night had ended the same as usual. Her, alone, in a quiet corner.
Robert looked over the crowded ballroom and saw Jackson grinning down at his Rosy. He turned his gaze and found Tucker leaning against a white column while stroking the back of his hand down Lavender’s arm. She stared up at him, giggling and blushing.
Robert exhaled sharply. He needed to stop looking for Alyssum and go win his wager. He shifted his gaze, looking for the bold scarlet dress. He had spotted her throughout the night, constantly surrounded by gentlemen.
Walking through the room, he saw three red dresses but none belonging to Scarlet.
He walked out onto the balcony but he found it empty. Just as he was about to turn and go back inside, he spotted a woman in the corner, hiding in the shadows. His eyes slowly adjusted to the dark and he saw her leaning against the railing. It was Scarlet. With another quick look around for any signs of guests, he walked over to her. As he made his way over, he stripped off his gloves and tucked them into the inside of his coat pocket.
Alyssum heard the footsteps of someone approaching her. By the clomp of the shoes on the balcony, she knew it was a gentleman. Hoping it wasn’t one of the men she had already met tonight, she slowly stood straight but kept her back to him. She held the railing with her gloved hands.
The gentleman stopped behind her. She held her breath. His shoes scuffed the stone floor then she felt the brush of his coat against her back. She exhaled and found her breath shook.
Alyssum gasped under the soft caress of fingers on her exposed back. She felt her skin tingling and responding. She remained still, wanting his touch. Her cheeks burned at her wicked behavior. She felt the gentleman step closer, his coat brushing her bare back. She then felt his warm breath at her ear.
The man raised both hands and smoothed them over her shoulders slowly, as if he didn’t want to frighten her. He gently swiped her hair over one shoulder, dragging the waves behind her ear then across her neck.
Alyssum exhaled on a gasp as she felt his mouth touch her neck. His hands were warm and gentle as one rested on her shoulder and the other held her nape lightly. His lips were soft and firm as he led a trail of kisses up her neck. Her eyes drifted shut as his tongue swept over her skin. She felt her stomach somersault. Her breath shook with each draw of breath she took. She gasped again with a mixture of shock and pleasure as he began to gently suck her neck. She felt a change in her body. Her skin became sensitive to his every touch. She became hot. Her dress was too tight. Her breaths became heavier as she felt an ache begin between her thighs. His fingers at her nape stroked as his mouth sucked. Alyssum gasped for breath now. She had never felt these sensations before. She wanted more. She needed to touch him, feel him. She ached with want.
Robert felt her yielding to his touch. He had to be careful not to scare her away. She may have dressed provocatively, but every young lady in that ballroom was a proper miss. Lady Brook didn’t invite harpies to her balls. Only the toast of the ton were invited.
He took hold of her arms and turned her around to face him. She arched her back and her breasts pressed against his chest. He stared down at her parted lips. He could hardly see her in the shadows, so he felt. He lowered his head and kissed the curve of her jaw, then her cheek, then the corner of her lip. Her breath fanned his lips before he fused their mouths together softly. He skimmed his hands along the softness of her cheeks and cupped her face. He tilted her head and slanted his mouth over hers. He seized her mouth in a hot, wet kiss. With her lips already parted, he thrust his tongue inside the warmth of her mouth and tasted her.
The kiss started slow and gentle, but with each passing second he felt the change in his Scarlet. She was no longer the innocent, but was now the eager student. He gave her his tongue and she suckled it. He groaned in pleasure. His breathing became heavier as the kiss spun out of control. His hands slipped from her face, captured her hips and brought her against him. He couldn’t get enough of this woman. Where had she been hiding? She was incredible. This woman was his dream. Fiery, aggressive and addictive. His slid his hands down and grabbed her buttocks. He pulled her forward and ground her against his hardened shaft. She gasped and fueled his passion.
Alyssum gripped her masked man’s coat in her fists. She kissed him hungrily, even wildly.
She felt a rush of heat sweep over her body. Her deep moans caused him to kiss her harder, deeper, so she moaned again and again.
She could hardly believe what she was doing, but it felt too good to stop. She couldn’t pull away, wouldn’t.
In her eagerness for him, she reached up and grasped the back of his neck. She rubbed her body against him and couldn’t stop the moans of pleasure rising within her. This was what she had come for. This perfect kiss. This perfect embrace. Body afire with passion, she clutched her masked gentleman and refused to let go. She loved the feel of his strong, hard body against her. She loved his mouth, his kiss, his touch. He grasped her buttocks in his hands and rocked her against the hard length of him. She squealed in surprised but wasn’t afraid. With exhilaration racing through her veins, she pushed against him, wanting to feel every inch of him.
He grasped her ribcage and maneuvered her back against the wall. When her back pressed into the wall and her gentleman pressed into her, she knew heaven was real. He ran his hands up her ribcage then cupped her breasts. She scraped her teeth over his bottom lip with a whimper as he fondled her breasts. His thumbs brushed over her nipples and she shuddered. Suddenly, he ended the kiss. His hands remained on her breasts and his thumbs continued teasing her nipples. He kissed her cheek, making her sigh slowly.
“Who are you?” he asked, shaking his head as if amazed at his find.
Alyssum smiled. “Like I would tell you,” she whispered. Her heart was pounding and her cheeks were burning.
Her hands still held the back of his neck, clutching him.
Robert could feel her silk gloves stroking his skin. He tried to identify her voice. She didn’t sound familiar. Her voice was breathless and husky.
“What’s your name?” He stroked her cheeks.
>
He saw her pause, felt her body stiffen against him. He felt he was about to lose her. Acting quickly, he leaned down and fused their mouths together in a deep, plundering kiss that made her gasp and grip his neck tightly. Tasting her sweet lips and feeling her tongue tangle with his, he groaned loudly and pushed his body flush against hers. He moved his hips against hers. He grinned against her lips as he listened to her deep, rapturous groans.
Shaking off the spell she had cast on him, he reached down and swept her leg up over his waist.
He pushed her skirts up and aside then glided his hand along her outer thigh. His hand touched her garter. With skilled fingers, he swept it down her leg. His mouth distracted her from his theft. Kissing her ravenously, he slid her garter over her shoe at his back, tugged it free and he shoved it into the pocket of his breeches. He glided his palm back up her leg as he moved his mouth from her lips to her neck. He listened to her frantic gasps for breath as he sucked fervently on her skin and caressed her thigh.
The sound of a gong ringing caused them to part. They both stumbled away from one another and looked at the open balcony doors. Cheers came from within the ballroom.
“It’s midnight,” she breathed shakily.
Everyone was revealing themselves and celebrating the beginning of the season. Robert turned his gaze back to Scarlet. He wanted her real name. He had to know who she was. He wanted her as his. Stepping towards her again, he saw her gaze flicker to his mouth before he tunneled his hands into her thick, curly hair and brought his mouth back to hers in a gentle but firm kiss.
Alyssum sighed and kissed her masked gentleman one last time. The kiss was slow and lingering. She glided her hands up his chest. She didn’t want to let him go, she wanted to keep kissing him forever. But it was midnight and everyone was revealed. Masks were gone and she needed to leave. She smoothed her hands over his cheeks, memorizing the feel of him then stepped back.
“Who are you?” her gentleman asked. His voice was rough.
Alyssum frowned with uncertainty. She wanted a husband, someone to love her and cherish her. She doubted this man was he. Yes, he made her body burn as it never had before, but this man had embraced her, had kissed her knowing she was a lady. He was a rake, a scoundrel. He was no prince charming. She couldn’t give him her identity.
Alyssum shook her head and began untangling herself from his embrace. She felt his reluctance to release her, but when she gently shoved his arms he let her go.
She took a step for the balcony doors. He suddenly stepped before her, blocking her path.
She stared up at her mystery man. He was dressed from head to foot in black and she could hardly see him, but she knew the feel of his hands…and his lips. She would never forget them.
“Please move,” she said more firmly, her body regaining its equilibrium.
Robert frowned. He stiffened as her commanding voice reminded him of Alyssum. He shook his head at the preposterous thought. This woman before him was not Alyssum.
She may have the same gorgeous midnight hair but that was it. If he kissed Alyssum or even dared to rub his body against hers she would scream in outrage and slap him. Then Harry would have to kill him. He watched as his Scarlet fisted her hands. He grinned, curious to see what she would do.
“If I reveal myself, will you tell me who you are?” He stepped closer to her, moving her back against the railing.
She stared up at him for a long moment then Robert watched as she nodded faintly, hesitantly. He raised his hand, grabbed his black mask and pulled it off, revealing his identity. His hair now disheveled, he dropped his hand to his side, holding the mask and staring down at her, waited.
He saw no recognition light her features as he revealed his identity. For some reason that confounded him and he found he was nervous. He stood waiting for some kind of reaction from her. Maybe she didn’t know him. He doubted it. His name was everywhere. Not being able to wait any longer to know the identity of his Scarlet, he took a step toward her and reached for her mask. She slapped his hands away, hard. He frowned and reached again. She side-stepped him and began making her way past him. She was trying to escape him. His hand whipped out and caught her before she could run. He swung her back around and reached for her mask with a newfound determination.
Dread caused Alyssum’s heart to race. She felt Robert’s hand at her mask.
Robert’s. After years of playing cards with Harry, she had learned how to hide her expressions. Right now, as she looked up at Robert, her mind screamed in denial. But the truth was before her.
Robert. She had kissed Robert. Her neighbor. The boy who used to throw mud at her and drop frogs down her dress. The man she had just kissed and wanted to kiss again. Robert.
She couldn’t allow him to find out it was she behind the mask. She couldn’t bear to see his expression of horror when he found out that he had kissed her…and more. Remembering one of Harry’s lessons in protecting her virtue, she raised her knee hard between his legs.
Robert hit the ground with a cry of agony.
Alyssum stared down at him in shock. She lowered her knee and watched as he squirmed on the floor, cupping himself between his legs. Turning, she quickly ran back into the ballroom and began making her escape.
Robert stayed down. Groaning in agony, he listened to the sound of Scarlet’s feet run across the balcony.
She had kneed him. Right in the bollocks. He raised his head as he heard laughter.
“Guess you didn’t get her garter,” Tucker laughed as he and Jackson walked towards him.
“Saw your girl running through the ballroom.” Jackson knelt beside Robert. “Are you doing all right?” He set his hand on Robert’s back. “She kicked you in your treasures?”
“Yes,” Robert snapped while clenching his jaw against the pain.
Tucker laughed and knelt down on the other side of him. “I guess we’re all losing it,” Tucker muttered.
“I haven’t lost it.” Jackson defended himself. “Rosy and I were doing just fine until I brought my tongue out and she slapped me.”
Tucker laughed.
“Careful, that black eye is going to be more prominent tomorrow,” Jackson warned him.
Tucker stopped laughing.
“You got hit as well?” Robert asked with a grimace.
“Jackson got slapped,” Tucker pointed out.
“And Robert got kicked.” Jackson smiled.
“What about Duke?”
“Too busy playing nice with the ton. He didn’t even get a chance with all the mothers surrounding him,” Jackson told Robert.
“So no one gets the hundred pounds.” Tucker clapped his hands together.
Robert groaned and rose to his knees. He had planned to lie to his friends and say he hadn’t obtained a garter. Not after having that passionate embrace with his Scarlet, but now, after that kick… Hell, he was getting his hundred pounds. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the black garter.
Chapter Four
The morning after Lady Brook’s masquerade, Alyssum sat in the morning room with her mother and Violet, her gaze focused straight ahead at the wall beside Violet’s head.
“Are you not hungry?” Violet asked, watching Alyssum.
Alyssum didn’t answer. She was too busy staring at the wall and remembering Robert’s kiss. With an audible swallow, she shifted her gaze from the wall and noticed Violet and her mother watching her with frowns.
With her fork midway to her mouth, her mother asked, “Are you well?”
Alyssum nodded, still unable to talk.
“Are you sure?” Violet asked.
She nodded again. Violet looked worried and glanced back down to her breakfast plate. Picking at a piece of ham, she shifted her gaze up to Alyssum.
Alyssum hadn’t touched her breakfast. She sat with her hands in the lap of her light purple dress. She sat with her back straight, not a curl out of place, and stared with a faraway look.
“Sweetheart, should I call for the docto
r?” Caroline asked.
“Alyssum?” Violet leant over the table and waved her hand before her sister’s face.
Alyssum came out of her trance with a frown. “What is it, Violet?”
“You look like a ghost.”
“I’ll call the doctor.” Caroline placed her cutlery down on her plate.
“No,” Alyssum quickly called before her mother stood. “I’m fine. The headache from last night still lingers, that’s all.”
“Such a pity you didn’t stay at Lady Brook’s longer. It was so lovely.”
“It was beautiful,” Alyssum agreed. “But I couldn’t handle the crowd with my headache. I’m sorry I worried you.”
“That’s all right. I’m just glad you’re well.”
“Excuse me.” Alyssum stood and then walked from the room. Caroline watched after her with frown.
“I’m going to go check on her.” Violet stood.
“Yes, you should,” Caroline agreed while staring at the empty doorway.
Violet left the room and ran after Alyssum. The skirts of her white dress swished around her legs as she dashed up the staircase.
“Alyssum,” she called. Catching up to her on the stairs, she grabbed Alyssum’s arm and stopped her. “What happened last night?” she whispered.
“What do you mean?”
“Alyssum, you tell me what happened or I’m going to Mother with the whole plan,” she warned in a low voice. She saw Alyssum’s eyes widen.
Alyssum looked around them. Violet did the same. Seeing no servants around, Alyssum leaned forward. “I got what I wanted,” she said quietly.
“You got a kiss?” Violet whispered, her eyes wide.
“Yes,” Alyssum mumbled, looking around.
“By whom?”
“I don’t know.” Alyssum cheeks flushed.
Violet frowned, noticing the blush. “Who?” she drawled.
“I don’t know,” Alyssum whispered with a snap.
Scarlet Kisses Page 4
