Robertson looked at Olivia. “My lady, did something happen this afternoon?”
She shook her head. “No. All is well. No need to worry. Thank you for the sherry.” She was saved from saying anything further about the unsettling incident by the butler announcing dinner.
“May I escort you into dinner, my lady?” Robertson asked.
“I’d be delighted, my lord,” she said, placing her fingers on his outstretched arm.
At least now she’d have the opportunity to converse with him, although there would be no chance to explain her reaction when he’d tried to kiss her. That conversation wouldn’t be appropriate at dinner, and the last thing she wanted was for anyone else to overhear her confession. It was too embarrassing and not for public knowledge that her late husband used to beat her.
That conversation would have to wait for a more private setting. She wasn’t looking forward to explaining her earlier reaction. Anything to do with her late husband left a bad taste in her mouth, but she felt she owed Lord Robertson an explanation.
Would she ever be free of Armstrong’s evil influence?
Chapter 10
Dinner was absolutely delightful. WithLord Robertson on one side and Bett on the other, she’d never enjoyed a meal so much.
“The lamb is excellent,” Olivia said to Bett.
“I agree. Fleming is lucky to have such a talented cook,” Bett said, nodding.
After dinner, the gentlemen stayed behind to enjoy their port but didn’t linger overly long before returning to the parlor. She was delighted when Robertson took a seat next to her.
Every time Olivia saw him, her heart did a little flip-flop—something that had never happened to her before and that she rather liked. She hoped he’d ask her to stroll outside to enjoy the night air. She very much wanted him to kiss her, and it wasn’t going to happen in the parlor with a room full of people.
Her face heated when she thought about Lord Robertson’s lips finally touching hers. She felt hot and opened her fan, trying to cool herself.
“My lady, you look flushed. Would you care to take in the cool night air?” Robertson asked.
She looked at him and smiled. “Yes, I’d like that very much. I find it a bit stuffy in here.”
Robertson stood and held out his hand to help her to her feet before cradling her hand in the crook of his elbow. “It’s a lovely evening out,” he said as he led her to the balcony.
She loved feeling the firm muscles of his arm. He was very fit, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he looked like in his shirtsleeves. The more she thought about him, the less the night air cooled the heat simmering in her body. Was this desire? When she was a young woman, she’d dreamed of feeling like this… until her cruel husband beat any kind of longing out of her.
Be brave, Olivia. Embrace the feeling of being admired,she told herself, taking a deep gulp of air to calm her ragged breathing.
Robertson escorted her to thefar end of the balcony, where they could have some privacy. “My lady, you’re a vision this evening.”
Lady Armstrong inclined her head. “Thank you, my lord. You look quite handsome yourself.”
“Are you enjoying the house party?”
“Very much.”
Robertson wanted to ask her about what’d happened earlier in the day, but he didn’t want to ruin this moment, so he did the only thing he could. He leaned toward her, waiting to see if she would pull away. She did not, so he leaned farther until their lips were a hair’s breadth apart. “My lady,” he whispered. “I think I shall perish if I don’t kiss you. May I?” He waited a moment longer for her to refuse, and when she didn’t, his lips finally touched hers. Her sweet lips were everything he’d thought they would be. He placed soft, gentle kisses on her mouth and was quite pleased when she leaned into him after a few moments.
He continued to kiss her, drinking in her sweet orange blossom scent. It was intoxicating. When she moaned with pleasure and her lips parted, his tongue swept inside her mouth, tasting and exploring every delightful inch. She was tentative at first, but soon, her tongue began to dance with his, and he deepened the kiss.
He’d kissed plenty of women in his lifetime, but none of them had ever affected him like this. He wanted to devour every inch of her skin, but he didn’t want to frighten her. When her arms encircled hisneck, he pulled her closer, and with her plump breasts pinned to his chest, his breath hitched.
Their kisses went on and on until finally, he released her. “My lady, you are magnificent. I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did.”
“I did indeed, my lord,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve never been kissed like that before.”
“Well, I must say that’s a cruel shame because you should be kissed and cherished like that every day of your life.”
“Thank you. That’s very sweet of you to say.”
