Once on the terrace, he steered her toward the end where a large trellis supported a profusion of roses. She took one sip of wine before he set the glasses on the stone balustrade.
“Thea,” he whispered as he caught her to him, his lips descending to hers. “I’ve wanted to do this all evening.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer and opening her mouth to his. His hands ran possessively over her derrière and back up her sides to cup her breasts. Flames flickered under his touch. He brushed his thumb over her breasts; her nipples hardened and ached. She moaned as he kneaded them.
Sliding her fingers to his face, she tilted her head, melding her lips to his, deepening their kiss as his palms and fingers elicited a spiraling heat that struck her to her core. If only they could at least take their gloves off. She wanted to feel his bare hands on her.
When he broke the kiss, they were both panting. He feathered kisses along her jaw. “Dom, I want more.”
His tongue teased a sensitive spot near her ear. “More what?”
She rubbed her hands over his chest. “I am not sure. I thought you might know.”
He’d nudged her chin aside to nibble her neck, then stopped. “Good Lord, what am I doing? We still have two weeks until the wedding.” He straightened. “I’m sorry. I should not have started this.”
She searched his face, but could see nothing in the dark. “I wanted to kiss you.”
He smoothed the fabric of his coat, before straightening her gown with quick efficient movements. “Remember who you are,” he mumbled, more it seemed to himself than her. “Thea, you are the only woman who has ever tempted me so much. I shall try to restrain myself.”
No, no, no. That is not what I want!“You don’t have to.” “You are an innocent.” He pitched his head back and blew out a breath. “You do not understand what this could lead to. I, on the other hand, do.”
She lowered her lashes, but couldn’t quite bring herself to play the coquette. Although the way he had suddenly cooled, she might have to work on that. “You like kissing me.”
He glanced down, but instead of taking her back in his arms, he rubbed her shoulders. “Thatis part of the problem. We both like it. Yet I cannot have any hint of scandal attached to you.”
When he took her arm and led her back toward the ballroom, Dotty could have stamped her foot with frustration. Why did he have to turn stuffy now after he had done so well all day? It was almost as if he couldn’t allow himself to have fun. Well, he must learn. She would simply have to teach him.
Chapter Eighteen
Dotty sat on the small sofa in the Young Ladies’ Parlor. The late-morning sun entered the room at an angle, creating a path in which the two gray kittens slept. A silver salver holding three stacks of neatly arranged missives lay on a low table before her. She picked up the ones addressed to her. Mama and Henny had written, as well as her brother Harry. Selecting her mother’s letter first, Dotty slid the small knife under the seal, opening the sheet of neatly crossed lines.
Charlotte lifted her head from whatever she was writing. “Have you heard from your mother yet?”
Holding up the paper, Dotty nodded. “The doctor said she is not progressing as she should, and he won’t allow her to travel for another week, but Grandmamma Bristol is coming.”
Charlotte’s smile turned quickly to a frown. “Will she want you to stay with her?”
“I doubt it.” Shaking her head, Dotty grinned. “She won’t want to chaperone me. She says Almack’s is insipid and missish young ladies give her hives. My mother says Grandmamma will stay at the Pulteney where she can bully the staff.”
“Who is bullying the staff?” Louisa asked from the door.
“My grandmamma. She doesn’t really do it. Though she is very particular and says the Pulteney is the only place that understands her. Even when my uncle Bristol is in Town, she stays at the hotel.”
Charlotte’s brows drew together. “I thought that was because she and your aunt do not get on.”
“Oh yes.” Dotty giggled. “They cordially dislike each other. If ever they are in the same room, it becomes so cold, one requires a shawl.”
Louisa bent to pick up her missive and stopped. “Bristol? The Duke of Bristol?”
Turning her note sideways to read the crossed lines, Dotty replied, “Yes.”
“I didn’t know he was a relation.”
“Papa says it is nothing to brag about. My uncle tried to stop my parents from marrying, which caused a schism in the family. It’s a long, involved story, but suffice it to say my grandfather arranged my uncle’s marriage, which my grandmother said ruined my uncle’s happiness. So she opposed every match Grandfather tried to make for my mother, until she was of age and could marry Papa. She did the same for their other children as well.”
Louisa tilted her head. “Are the rest of them happy?”
Dotty nodded. “Everyone except Uncle Bristol, so it must have worked. I do hope she approves of Merton. I would not like to be at loggerheads with her. She is my favorite relative.”
