He thanked her by rubbing his tongue along hers, cupping her head as he tilted his for better access. Placing his other arm around her back, he drew her against him.
The dratted man. He knew that she could not resist when his youthful flesh pressed into her. His muscled arms and chest, his thighs, hard from riding, and that stiff poker between them pushing against her belly. All offered their service, hers to command.
She yanked his hair to tilt his head back.
“What have I told you about touching without permission? Now you have a punishment. Your cravat, please.” She held a hand out between them.
His hands released her and leaped to the knotted tie, his grin stretching his face wide. “Yes, Mistress!”
* * * *
Two nights later, Charlotte surveyed the ballroom as she entered. She did not mind them as much now but was still grateful there were fewer during the little Season.
There was the usual wall of matrons and clusters of débutantes, a few matrons lurking near their daughters. Against a second wall, the orchestra was setting up. In another corner stood the usual litter of would-be rakes, tossing their hair and hands as they jostled for power.
Where was her rakelet?
She scanned again, not seeing Ruth among the women or William among the men. Given her nerves about seeing the one and her anticipation of seeing the other, she needed champagne and a minute to gather herself.
Finding only punch, she helped herself, then strolled, glass in hand, greeting a few acquaintances.
The aroma of spiced rum wafted to her. She turned, and her puppy stood there grinning at her. “William, are you stalking me?” Her brow arched with the whispered question.
“Mistress, never. I paused for a moment to admire the view before I intended to greet you.” A dimple and the cheeky grin made its appearance.
Charlotte flushed.
He bowed. “Will do you give me the honor of a dance, Mistress?”
“I might. If you behave.” She rapped his arm lightly with her fan then peered behind him. “Did your mother accompany you?”
“Yes, she’s somewhere about. D’you want me to help you find her?”
“No, more like I prefer to be warned,” she muttered.
He threw back his head and laughed.
“Go play with the other cubs.”Gah, I am mixing animal species. “Find me for a dance.”
She made another round of the ballroom, finding herself more relaxed than ever before. Her balls as a débutante had been nerve-wracking. Later, she had Charles, and they preferred salons, their few ball appearances spent ensuring they spoke to everyone they had not seen recently. Then came her first balls as a widow. She’d realized how few people she had kept in contact with as she mourned, but she’d also met William.
Now, two years later, she needn’t feel anxious. She had rekindled friendships, and she knew who she was going home to that night. Whatever happened here did not matter as much.
The orchestra finished warming up, and the first dance was announced. His delicious aroma of spiced rum heralded William’s return, and she smiled even before she turned.
He bowed and held out his hand for hers, then led her to line up for the dance.
Close, then back, then turn, then handed off to another partner, watching him across the square of four couples.Gracious, he rounds out breeches beautifully. I may have to bite that bit later.He caught her watching him and smiled, and she licked her lips when they came round to face each other again, causing his eyes to flare at her.
As the dance brought them to partner again, he whispered, “Mistress, I am behaving. Dare I say,youare not, however.”
“And? What are the consequences?”
“Well, I only had to behave to earn a dance, which I have done. Now, if you do not behave, then nor shall I, which meansthis.” As the song ended with a flourish, he twirled her twice and they were on the edge of the dance floor near a hallway.
He grabbed her hand and stepped into the shadows before pulling her behind him to an open doorway. Peering inside to ensure the room was empty, he whisked her through the door, shut it, and pushed her up against it.
Her gown was midnight blue with a pattern of abstract flowers in silver. It had a deep square neckline, deep enough that she should have worn one of the newer style of corsets. As she did not own one, she had donned her lowest cut satin stays, and had skipped the chemise. The satin saved her skin from chafing without a chemise.
