Fox pulled both of her hands into his. She dropped her gaze to them. “They won’t bother me. I am the daughter of the powerful Earl of Shaldon.”
He tensed at that and when he spoke his words were a scold. “They could make you disappear and no one would know. You ran away, didn’t you? You left London without telling anyone where you were going.”
“I wasn’tinLondon. Charley married. I was at his home in Yorkshire.”
“He will be frantic.”
She almost laughed. “You don’t know Charley, do you? And even if he were the type to worry, he thinks I’m visiting a friend.”
“So, you see. No one would know.”
Anger rippled through her and tightened her chest. “You would know, Fox.Youwould know. Unless you’re also part of it.”
“What if they’d killed me?”
She pulled her hands away. “No. You’re not going to muddle me again. I’m not leaving.”
He moved closer, towering over her. “No matter whose daughter you are, it’s not safe here for a beautiful young woman—”
“Stop.” She slapped his hands away. Chestnut sidestepped, and Perry took a breath. “I am simply one woman. One spinster well on the shelf. Not young, and not beautiful.”
“Youarebeautiful.” He clipped out the words, harshly, but those strong, long fingers curled over her shoulders, working their artist’s magic, sending tendrils of bright-colored feeling streaming into her, as if he could flick his brush and make her handsomer than God had made her.
She tried to swallow against a sudden dryness. She knew the truth. “Long Meg.” She breathed deeply. “Horse Face. Bluestocking. Ape Lead—”
His lips pressed to hers and for a moment she couldn’t find air. He used that moment, pulled her closer, flattened all of her against hard muscles, wrapped her in his long arms. His hands cradled her, his fingers dancing and doing things to her neck and her back that sent her nerves spinning. She sobbed, caught a breath, opened her mouth against his, and surrendered.
Tender, long, moments of such melting bliss. Her head whirled with the feel of their lips moving together, their tongues probing with need melding them. Her hands slid under the silky hair at his neck, grasping the sinewy strength, holding him. She wanted him closer, deeper, and—
He pulled his mouth away and looked down at her, his eyes glistening like onyx. “Perry,” he growled from a place deep in his center, “youarebeautiful. And you must leave.”
The sharp words cut her. He desired her. He wanted her gone. In the games her father’s people played, both could be true. Especially for the men.
Not for a minute should she believe his words about beauty. Lord Baxter had taught her that.
“I’m staying. If I’m tossed in the ocean, well, I might as well be dead than be suffocated by men who think I’m stupid.”
His jaw hardened. She tugged away, allowing a hair’s breadth of air between them.
“You think you can kiss me senseless and I’ll leave? I’ve been kissed before, Fox. I’ve had several proposals of marriage, and one nobleman tried to pull me into the mews where his carriage was waiting. I was able to get away because I am, as he said, a great lumbering beast.”A man must keep his eyes shut to swive a great lumbering beast like you.She blinked tightly and inhaled.
Tension rolled off Fox. His hands tightened on her. “Who’d say such a thing? I’ll kill him for you.”
She shook her head. “He fled to France.”
“Before your brothers could whip him.”
“No. From his creditors.”
She tried to lift her arms, but he’d tightened around her. “And anyway, you’re not a killer. You can let me go now.”
“Perry.” Fox’s voice rumbled close to her ear, the vibrations tickling her. “Those men are fools. They’re simply intimidated by your height and your intelligence. Let me tell you what an artist sees. A woman of grace, tall and willowy, with a perfectly proportioned form. A square, determined jaw, an elegant nose, lips that are wide and plump. Eyes and hair the shade of caramel or creamed coffee laced with gold. Creamy skin—”
“Stop.” He was doing it again. She wriggled and flattened her hands on the planes of his shoulders. “I had no idea you were a poet as well as an artist and spy, or whatever it is that you are. You wish to kiss me or flatter me into leaving. I’m not leaving. If you try to force me to leave, I’ll shoot you. I’m not leaving.”
That was badly done,Fox.
His time keeping her at bay with badgering and teasing and pecking at her had come home to roost. She couldn’t see his heart when it spoke.
He slid a finger under her chin and lifted it. “The danger is real. If I can’t keep you safe, you’ll force me to die trying. And if I don’t die then, your father will likely kill me later for not packing you back to your brother’s.” He pressed his lips to hers, claiming a quick kiss. He wanted to take so much more. If she stayed around too long, he undoubtedly would. She undoubtedly would let him.
The thought made his already pumped-up shaft jump.
“Finish your talk with the mare. I’ll be outside.”
He carried her heat out of the door with him. Outside, he took the short path to the edge of the outlook and pushed his fingers through his hair, sucking in the cold damp sea air.
And spotted the boat.
