Something sparked in his eyes. “Have you been kissed before?”
“No.”
This entire conversation was improper. Yet, he still asked, “What do you mean?”
She blushed. “More passionate.
Harriet clamped a hand over her mouth, shocked she’d said such a thing. Anthony’s eyes darkened and dipped to her mouth.
“I didn’t mean it quite like that,” she said, her voice shaking.
Shocking her, Anthony took her hand and pulled her into an alcove. Her heart pounded. What was he doing? He didn’t give Harriet time to ponder it long because he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Attraction and temptation ebbed between them.
His lips pressed against hers. It wasn’t the light brushing from before, but hungry and demanding. She groaned and leaned into him. Harriet gasped when his tongue stroked hers, enticing her to crave more. His hands tightened on her hips, and she pushed against his body.
Heat flared between her legs as she felt his manhood pressed against her stomach. Instinctively, she wanted to feel more of him and of it. As Anthony continued to kiss her, his hand slid between them. He palmed one of her breasts and pushed it out of the top. She moaned as he pinched and teasedher nipple. Her body was on fire. She’d never felt so wanton before. Her hands grasped the front of his shirt, clinging to him.
They finally broke away from each other, both gasping for air. Her chest heaved up and down. She flushed, realizing her breast still peeked out at him. She adjusted her top as he eyed the mound hungrily. Anthony ran his hands through his hair. He cleared his throat. “I think you need to go to bed, Harriet.”
Going to sleep was the last thing on her mind, but Harriet suspected that if she stayed, they’d cross lines that were unacceptable. Still, she remained rooted to her spot. Madly, she thought,touch me again.A noise in the house caused them both to jump. His jaw clenched, and he softly said, “Harriet.”
She nodded and rushed out of the alcove. Harriet didn’t stop until she reached her room. She leaned against the door and closed her eyes. She brought her fingers to her lips. Anthony’s kisses still lingered. Her mind flashed to the alcove. There was no denying it now; she wanted Anthony quite desperately.
Chapter Seven
Anthony walked around the garden. He couldn’t stop thinking about the previous night. He’d kissed Harriet in an alcove. Christ, Anthony was lying to himself. It was more than a kiss. The meeting of their lips had been an all-consuming, life-altering moment.
He wanted Harriet in his arms, in his bed, and in his life forever. The last bit shocked him as he’d not returned to England expecting to find love, especially not with Lillian’s sister. Still, he couldn’t deny what he felt for Harriet, nor did he want to.
The locals and the staff would be arriving soon for the festival. There would be food, dancing, and games in the garden and courtyard area of the hall. Philip mentioned they’d considered hosting it inside, but it turned out to be such a beautiful day, so they moved everything outdoors into the sunny, crisp weather.
Finally, he spotted the person he wanted to speak with. Lillian was making her way down a pathway to an area where there would be sweets and hot cider. He called out to her. She stopped and glanced his way, smiling. This was the woman he’d left the country for. She was still beautiful and kind, but was not the woman who was always on his mind.
Her smile turned to a frown as he stood there saying nothing. She walked to him, concerned. “What is it, Anthony?”
He took a deep breath. “I need a moment of your time.”
She pointed toward two outdoor chairs and a table. They made their way there and sat. Anthony was nervous, but he needed to speak with Lillian. She patiently waited for him to say something.
“I want to marry Harriet,” he said, the words rushing from him.
Lillian, at first, stared at him wide-eyed, then a smile broke across her face. “You love her.”
Anthony hadn’t said those words aloud, but he did. “Yes, I love her and want to court her. I feel like a fool because I should have realized this before. Instead, I was too focused on what society deemed the match everyone should want.”
His sister-in-law blushed, and he immediately felt a pang of guilt. “That isn’t an insult.”
She laughed. “I don’t take it as one. I was quite shocked when you said you wanted to court me. I’d spent the few years before sneaking kisses with Philip.”
“I can't believe he didn’t ask for your hand at the beginning of the Season?”
Lillian shook her head and, with exasperation laced in her voice, provided, “He was adamant that I deserved to be wooed and experience the whirlwind of London events. Philip didn’t want me to regret marrying him.”
Anthony shook his head. It sounded like Philip. His brother was quiet but always adamant about doing the right thing. “It sounds like a decent but foolish idea.”
Lillian smirked. “It only worked until Lord Huxton asked me to walk with him alone in Lady Stenson’s garden. Your brother proposed that night.”
A bark of laughter burst from him. “Well done, Your Grace.”
