A step beyond plain old handsome. His slightly ruffled chocolate brown hair, with its silver flecks, had her licking her lips. And when she met his bluish gray eyes, her pulse skipped a beat.
The touch of crow’s-feet around those alluring eyes hinted of him being a few years older than her. From the way he spoke, he more than likely viewed her as just another young miss. One whose manners were in need of correction.
“Alright. You tell me what food is good to eat on this table, and then we will see who is being impolite.” She waved a hand over the supper plates in open challenge.
A sly grin formed on his mouth. Victoria’s gaze settled on his lips. They were a pale red and reminded her of strawberries a few days before they reached their peak ripeness. When they were perfect for sinking ones teeth into and enjoying every sweet bite.
Victoria caught herself and stifled the grin which threatened. She was always comparing things to food. Color. Scent. Taste. How it felt in her mouth.
I wonder what his lips would taste like.
There was something intriguing about men who were a few years older than herself. They had an air of confidence in their manner, something which she’d always found sadly lacking in the younger regency bucks.
He took a step forward and the sudden movement startled her. She took a half step back and banged her hip into the side of the table. “Ow,” she gasped.
The handsome brute was at her side in a moment. “Are you alright?”
Victoria blushed, heat burning her cheeks. “I am fine thank you, just a little bump.”
A deep wicked chuckle escaped him. “Actually I was asking the dishes. You gave them a quite a solid rattle when you hit the table.”
Their gazes locked. As she was drawn into those silvery blue eyes of his, an unbidden thought of lying on the grass under a summer sky eating blueberries popped into her mind.
I must really be starving.
“You sir are no gentleman.” She’d meant it as a rebuke, but it came out as a sultry tease. He moved closer and the air between them grew heavy with promise. Victoria’s mouth went dry. Her pulse quickened.
“I guess not, but then again, manners are often sorely overrated,” he replied in a voice which sent heat racing to her core. Everything about this man was wrong. But his very essence whispered that she’d love to find out just how many ways he could be wrong. How delightful she would find him as he meticulously and thoroughly corrupted her.
Oh…this is dangerous. I shouldn’t be flirting with this stranger.
Her first night on the husband hunt, and she was already in well over her head. The Kembal family had had more than its fair share of scandals. She didn’t need to be adding to the count.
Instead of toying with this beautiful man, she was meant to be getting some food and going to meet up with her brother. Hopefully Matthew had located the Duke of Saffron Walden, and they could study him from a distance before deciding whether to approach and offer their greetings.
Her family was relying on her to make a good match. To settle with a respectable and titled husband. Playing foolish games with a stranger in the supper room wouldn’t further her cause.
It was time to go.
“I shall leave you to the plates, and the hope that your palate isn’t offended by the bland food. Good evening, sir.”
She bobbed a brief curtesy and fled the room.
Robert stood smiling, watching as the young woman left. He was sorely tempted to hurry after her and get her name. The absence of a wedding ring on her left hand hadn’t escaped his notice. She really was an untouched miss. Which meant, she was available.
He’d just decided to do exactly that, and go find her, when his man of business suddenly appeared in the doorway of the supper room. George gave one look at the food and shook his head. “I knew I would find you in here, Your Grace.”
“What’s going on?” asked Robert.
George glanced back over his shoulder. “Sorry to interrupt your evening, but I have an update on our potential business acquaintance. Apparently, he has connections with the East India Company. His wife is the daughter of one of its directors.”
“Damn. I was relying on securing that deal,” muttered Robert.
But George as always had come through for him and saved Robert from what might have been a very awkward conversation. It gave him a moment for reflection.
“I know we want to secure new arrangements, but perhaps we might want to rethink our plans,” he said. This was the second potential new customer who’d turned out to be linked to their rival. “Let’s stick to the existing buyers for the next little while, George. Work on storing the spices, then taking them to Tolley Manor. Something tells me we should stay quiet and safe for a bit.”
George nodded his agreement. “Yes. Some of the restaurant owners are getting nervous about agents of the East India darkening their doorsteps and asking probing questions.”
