Suzanna closed her eyes and murmured something under her breath. “Very well. I will jump down. But”—she pointed her finger at him—“you will do your best not to look.”
Fighting to hide his smile at her ridiculous request, he said, “Of course. I am nothing if not a gentleman.”
Taking a deep breath, she grasped the sides of her gown, then wiggled until she was farther off the branch. Closing her eyes—perhaps believing if her eyes were closed, it would somehow affect his vision—she slid off the branch.
…
Suzanna let go of her gown and waved her arms, frantically grasping at air. She landed with a thump into Giles’ arms and just as she feared, her skirts opened and her bare bottom rested in his large hands.
“Put. Me. Down.”
If the heat in her face was any indication, she most likely looked as though she would explode.
Mr. Templeton grinned at her. “In a minute. But first a kiss for your rescue.”
She opened her mouth to demand that he put her down, and he took the opportunity to cover her lips with his. She shifted to get him to release her, but it only encouraged him to squeeze her bottom—her bare bottom! The humiliation was overwhelming, but she loathed to move again, since who knew what he would do next.
Soon, his kiss turned into something so passionate and needy that she forgot about the naughtiness of where his hand rested and slumped in his arms. In fact, his hand being where it was brought lovely sensations to her nipples and between her legs. Without conscious thought, her hands slid up his chest to encircle his neck, where her fingers played with the strands of hair curling over the top of his cravat.
He pulled away from her mouth and scattered light kisses over her face, her jaw, the soft skin under her ear. He proceeded lower, until his teeth were tugging on the edge of her neckline. She really should stop him. His hand continued to massage her buttocks, and her embarrassment had long since vanished, replaced with the wanton desire to part her thighs so his fingers could ease the ache there.
This time she cupped his face and brought his mouth to hers. She nipped and tugged at his lips with her teeth. He groaned and pulled her closer to his body, still holding her in his arms. He shifted her once again and slid his thumb between her thighs, circling the soft, moist skin.
“Templeton, did you find her?” Lord Hawkins’s voice intruded into her muddled brain. With a curse, Giles immediately pulled away and set her on her feet. Her skirts swirled around her ankles. With a loud buzzing in her ears, she tried her best to come to grips with her surroundings. She swayed at his abrupt movement.
He gripped her elbow. “Adjust your gown.”
Suzanna looked at her neckline that had been tugged much lower than it was meant to be. She yanked it up and looked with dismay at where her gown had been torn from climbing the tree. She must look an absolute mess, and what in heaven’s name would Lord Hawkins think of her appearance?
Slowly her mind cleared, and she was once again aware of the sun shining through the trees, the smell of decaying wood, the sound of animals scurrying around.
“Over here, Hawk.” Mr. Templeton adjusted his breeches and wrapped his arm around her waist in a protective move.
“What happened? Lord Danvers practically grabbed me by the throat to tell me you had been questioning everyone about Miss Blake’s disappearance.” Hawkins moved closer, his eyes growing wide at her dishevelment.
He threw an outraged glance at his friend before turning his attention back to her. “Are you well, Miss Blake?” His tight voice softened. “Must I beat Mr. Templeton to the ground on your behalf?”
Suzanna shook her head. “Oh, no, my lord. You are mistaken. I was chased by a frightening-looking dog and climbed up this tree.” She pointed behind her. “Fortunately, Mr. Templeton came in search of me and helped me down.”
Hawkins breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness he found you.” He grinned at Mr. Templeton. “And thank goodness I don’t have to rumple my clothing by engaging in fisticuffs with one of my closest friends.”
“Hawk, you can see the condition she is in. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have Miss Blake arrive back at the picnic looking this way.”
“I agree. Who knows what sort of stories would be attributed to her appearance? Perhaps you can stay here with her, and I will fetch one of the older matrons to accompany her back to the house. That way she can see for herself that she was not ravished. Based on the scrapes I can see on her arms, she has been climbing a tree. It would quell any unseemly rumors.”
“Good idea.”
“I will have one of the carriages brought to the other side of the woods.” He pointed to the east. “Take that path until it ends. The carriage, along with either Lady Hancock or Lady Livingston, will meet you there.” He pointed at Giles. “You will explain yourself and then return to the picnic grounds for the rest of the afternoon.”
Giles scowled. “You needn’t remind me of the precarious position Miss Blake is in. I have no intention of allowing her to be dishonored in any way.”
Suzanna stamped her foot and glared at them. “I would prefer if the two of you didn’t discuss me as if I weren’t here. I know what I did was foolish and could have caused me serious harm. I am also aware that I am merely a few steps from scandal.”
Both men viewed her with raised brows. “Your point being?” Mr. Templeton said.
“Oh, nothing. I feel absolutely foolish and am probably trying to deflect my embarrassment.”
Hawkins smiled. “All will be well. With either Lady Hancock or Lady Livingston on our side, there is nothing to fear.” He pointed to the narrow path leading to the east side of the woods. “On your way, now. Go.”
Mr. Templeton moved his arm from around her waist. “I will go first, in case there are small animal holes or that dangerous dog returns.”
Suzanna nodded and followed him along the path. Now that the entire episode was finished, she found herself sore from where she’d climbed the tree and exhausted from the strain of the past hour. She also replayed in her mind his hand on her naked bottom and how interesting and exciting it had felt. Whatever was wrong with her? She should feel only mortification.
Instead, she walked along the path, continuing to think about warm lips and strong hands and what might have happened had Hawkins not come upon them. She shuddered with delight, then chastised herself. What sort of a wanton has this man turned me into?
…
It was the last day of the house party and the night of the ball. Besides the house party guests, neighboring gentry far and wide had been invited. Lady Hawkins and Lady Honora were expecting about fifty additional people. Dinner would be served earlier than usual, at eight o’clock, and then the house party guests would join the others in the ballroom.
Giles entered the drawing room, his eyes immediately spanning the room for Suzanna. She had not yet arrived, so he wandered over to the sideboard and accepted a glass of brandy from Hawk. “I will be returning to London early in the morning. When will you be leaving?”
“The same.” Hawk took the last gulp of his drink and set the glass down. “There are several business items I need to deal with.”
Cam walked up as Hawk finished his statement, a grin on his face. “Ah, business matters? That ‘business’ would not happen to be the beautiful Mrs. Ambrose, your favorite opera dancer now, would it?” He took the glass of brandy Hawk held out to him.
Hawk winked, but somehow the effort seemed forced. In fact, Giles realized Hawk had not been himself for a while now. He took part in all the activities they normally did, but his heart hadn’t been in it.
“That is part of my business, to be certain. I’m this close”—he held up his thumb and index finger about a half inch apart—“to having her agree to come under my protection. Away from her this week might have her casting glances at another.”
“Ah, the perfidiousness of opera dancers. You should find yourself an amiable widow, looking to have a man warm her be
d without the leg shackles. The best of both worlds. No tantrums and scenes when one parts ways with the chit,” Cam advised.
“Speaking from experience, Cam?” Giles laughed. “If I remember correctly, there was quite a spectacle with that Italian opera singer. What was her name? The commotion kept the gossip columnists happy for days.”
“Yes. Madam Moretti. Lovely girl. Shrieked like a banshee when I gave her congé.” He shook his head. “That’s why I pursue only widows now.”
“No married ladies?” Hawk asked.
“Not anymore. I’ve climbed out of enough windows, breeches in hand, when the irate husband arrived home unexpectedly.”
“At least you haven’t had a husband shoot a pistol at you. Some of them are deuced accurate.” Hawk replenished his brandy glass. “Then there are the young pups who think they will protect their widowed sister’s honor by calling you out.” He shuddered. “I almost had to kill one of them, but my second managed to talk sense into him.”
Giles shook his head. “You two are pitiful. Why don’t you just admit your bachelor days are over? You are grown men and should select a lovely young debutante from the latest crop and settle down. Fill your nursery.”
Cam choked and looked askance at Hawk. “Is Mr. Giles Templeton spewing this rubbish? I thought it was bad enough to witness Bedford willingly stepping up to accept the parson’s noose, but to hear this poetic nonsense spouting from another of our own is a bit much.” He sighed and placed his hand on Giles’s shoulder. “Where did we go wrong, my friend?”
“Ah, but he has the delightful Miss Blake in his sights.” Hawk’s demeanor grew serious, and he lowered his voice. “It was a bloody lucky thing that her sneaking off to the woods the other day didn’t end in disaster. For both of you.”
“I agree. I have spoken to her—” Giles looked up as Suzanna entered the drawing room with Miss Fenster. “If you will excuse me…” He left his two friends smirking at each other and crossed the room, stopping in front of Suzanna.
He bent over her hand and then turned to Miss Fenster. “Ladies, you both look lovely this evening, as always. I’m sure you will make quite a splash with the local gentry.”
Miss Fenster sniffed. “I hope to do better than local gentry, if you please. I would never be happy stuck out here in the wilds. I much prefer the excitement of London.” She turned to Suzanna. “Where would one even find a decent modiste?”
Suzanna cringed at Miss Fenster’s words, which amused him, since Suzanna also preferred a man with a title, a supercilious aspiration in itself. Once again, the thought nudged at him that her claim rang false. The woman he’d grown to know over the last few weeks was anything but ambitious and grasping.
Yet she continued to cling to the idea that he would not do because he was a mister instead of a lord. If her response to his kisses was any indication, it should not take much longer to change her mind.
Since there seemed to be no retort to Miss Fenster’s statement, Giles directed his attention to Suzanna. “May I request the first waltz tonight, Miss Blake?”
Every time they’d encountered each other since the tree incident, she had seemed uncomfortable in his presence. Last night had been a quiet one for the guests, with no activities planned, in preparation for tonight’s ball. Suzanna had excused herself shortly after dinner, claiming fatigue. His eyes had followed her when she’d left the room, and it had taken all his willpower not to follow her up the stairs and coax her into letting him into her bedchamber.
Most times that was what house parties were all about. He’d certainly borne witness to enough scurrying and shuffling outside his door each night as he lay in bed thinking of Suzanna’s silky and softly scented skin. His fingers ached to run down her body, caress her flesh.
But then again, Suzanna was an innocent, not a bored matron or jaded widow. She was a young lady whose prize possession was her virginity, to be guarded at all costs. If things went as he planned, he would be the man to whom she surrendered it. The time had come to admit he’d gone beyond just wanting her. He loved her, and to successfully win her hand, he had to make her fall in love with him.
Chapter Eleven
Suzanna had tried her best to avoid Giles—Mr. Templeton—most of the day. Their encounter in the woods had left her more rattled than she would have liked. His touch, his warm hand on her naked skin in such an intimate spot, and his kisses, had left her weak and aching for more.
Tonight, instead of seeing a smirk on his face, which she had expected, he requested a dance with all the politeness of every gentleman she had ever met. Nothing on his face gave away the intimacy they’d shared that afternoon in the woods.
“Yes. I believe you are the first to request a dance, Mr. Templeton.” She held up her arm where the small card dangled from her wrist. He took the card and quickly filled in two spots.
Panicked, she looked at the dances he’d requested, and fortunately, he had filled in only one waltz. The other was a cotillion. If they danced two waltzes, rumors would begin, assumptions would be made, gossip would spread, and before long, Mother would rise from her sick bed to descend upon London—and Suzanna—with the vengeance of Nemesis.
“May I request a dance from you, as well, Miss Fenster?”
It was quite gracious of him to request a dance from the young lady, considering how she had just disparaged the local gentry. But then again, wasn’t she, herself, in the same vein, since it was known throughout the ton that she sought a husband with a title? She really hated how shallow that made her appear, and perhaps it was time to let it be known it was her mother’s demand, not hers.
“I believe I have a few dances open, Mr. Templeton.” Miss Fenster held out her dance card, which was completely blank. Suzanna glanced at Giles, the humor in his eyes most likely matching hers.
Lord Hawkins and Lord Campbell joined their little group. “May I fetch a drink for you ladies?” Lord Campbell offered them his famous smile that had Miss Fenster giggling and growing red. His evening clothes were exquisite, his hair perfectly styled, his cravat tied to perfection. He was handsome, charming, and filled out his clothes quite well. To Suzanna’s annoyance, she felt nothing. Why was fate playing with her heart? Why couldn’t her reaction to either Lord Hawkins or Lord Campbell be as strong as her body’s response to even a glance, or slight brush of the hand, from Mr. Templeton?
And Mr. Templeton he would remain to her. Once she began to think of him as Giles, she would be in a world of trouble. She desperately needed that little bit of distance to keep herself under control.
“I would like champagne,” Miss Fenster said.
Campbell addressed Suzanna. “What may I bring for you?”
“Champagne, as well.”
He left them, heading toward a footman circling the room with a tray of drinks. Hawkins regaled them with a story of his sister, Lady Honora, and her first attempt to drink champagne at her coming-out ball.
As amusing as the story was, Suzanna’s attention was divided as she glanced sideways and studied Mr. Templeton. Yes, he certainly affected her. Even now, with them in a group, her heart was pounding, and anticipation built in her stomach. Would he kiss her tonight? Would she allow him a walk in the garden to cool themselves after a few dances? The tingling in her woman’s place indicated she should not do that.
Unfortunately, her body and her mind were not always in harmony.
“I’m afraid I must leave you now, as the local guests are arriving, and I needs greet them.” Lord Hawkins offered a slight bow and made his way up the stairs to where the receiving line had formed.
A few minutes later, after innocuous conversation about the success of the house party, Miss Fenster glanced over Suzanna’s shoulder. “If you will excuse me, I see Lady Penrose across the room, and I must speak with her.” She hurried off, leaving Suzanna and her adversary staring at each other.
“Do not look at me that way, Mr. Templeton.”
He leaned in close to her ear. “Ah, you owe me
a kiss.” The sweet smell of the champagne he’d drunk drifted from his mouth over her face. That, combined with the warmth of his breath, brought shivers to her.
“I most certainly do not,” she sniffed. “I never agreed to that nonsense. And anyway, we are in public.”
“But no one can hear us.”
“It matters not. Conversations can certainly be overheard in a ballroom, sir.” Then she raised her chin. “In any event, I do not wish to discuss this with you. This entire to-do over what to call whom is ridiculous. The house party is ending tonight, and I doubt we will see much of each other when we return to London.”
Heat rose from her middle, racing right up to her face when he burst out laughing, causing several people in their vicinity to glance their way. Giles took her hand and placed her arm in his. “Walk with me, sweeting.”
Fortunately, he did not take her to the garden, but they walked to the perimeter of the room, strolling along the wall. “Suzanna, darling, we will be seeing a great deal of each other in London.”
“You are the most arrogant, supercilious, smug man I have ever met.” She gave a slight tug, but he held firm to her arm and even placed his hand over hers where it rested on his evening jacket.
“Indeed. Which is why you are attracted to me.” He turned to her with a grin. “Do not insult both of our intelligences by claiming that to be untrue. I have felt your reactions when we kiss.” He leaned in close. “And when I touch you—like when you jumped out of the tree, into my arms. I have replayed that in my mind endlessly.”
If she thought her face was red before, now she was sure she would self-combust. Her heart pounded, and she debated whether it would be best to scream at his presumption or kick him in the shins. As a lady, she did neither. Instead she drew on all her years of training and offered him an extremely ladylike smile. However, she spoke through gritted teeth. “If you will excuse me, I believe I am in need of a trip to the ladies’ retiring room.”
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