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Elise moistened her parched mouth with a slow circling tongue, unaware of an intense gaze tracking the movement. An awful pang of doubt was making her stomach squirm and she sensed her temper disintegrating, too. She wanted desperately to be able to justify her behaviour, for the thought of losing everything for nothing was too awful to bear. But...if he was right and she was wrong she would deserve his fury and contempt. And he would deserve her humble apology.
She trusted Mr Chapman implicitly and knew he’d never cover up another man’s philandering with lies. He would tell the truth, if not to her, then to her father...and Alex knew his version of events could easily be checked.
‘Do you not want to know how I saved him a journey?’
Elise mutely moved her head in a small affirmative because regret and humiliation were already closing her throat.
‘He was on his way to give you a small packet: a present of lace from his daughters. He asked me to deliver it. It is in the box on my curricle.’ A mirthless laugh preceded him concluding his case. ‘The family send all best wishes for our future happiness.’
Elise’s lashes fluttered down over the stinging heat in her eyes. The appalling irony of him bringing her a wedding gift, coupled with his curtness, had pierced her heart. ‘Why did you go to Enfield?’ she burst out in despair. ‘You said you would be busy with marriage plans today.’
‘And so I was...buying you jewellery from a goldsmith,’ he replied. ‘Now I regret having wasted my time. It seems there will be no need of wedding rings.’ His blackening eyes dropped to her mouth, travelled on to roam her cloaked body.
‘Why haven’t you asked me to let you up, Elise?’ he enquired with sultry mockery.
Chapter Twenty-Three
‘Let me up,’ she managed hoarsely.
‘I don’t think you really want me to, sweet.’ In a corner of his mind Alex knew he was acting idiotically. But the frustration assaulting him wasn’t easy to quash. And neither was the need to punish her for her lack of trust. He’d bared his soul in a way he’d never before done with any woman. He’d pledged eternal love and faithfulness to Elise and meant every word, yet it was as though those solemn vows had meant little to her. He’d done nothing wrong today other than return late to dine with her and her family. And the idea that he might never have a chance to make love to her was a gut-wrenching torment.
‘We might not be getting married...but why cancel the wedding night?’ Alex purred. ‘People already imagine we’re lovers...me included in moments of madness despite the painful effect it has on me.’
Elise detected a harsh undercurrent in his voice, but the hand trailing her skin remained featherlight. Her eyelids drooped at the sensation of his long artful fingers brushing against her cheek, curling about her small ear to tantalise the sensitive hollow behind. She flicked her head away from the caress.
‘We might have our differences but we’re compatible in one very pleasurable way. Shall we enjoy that and forget about the rest?’
Alex dipped his head, touched together their mouths with a tenderness she’d not expected. If he were still furious with her, surely he wouldn’t kiss her so courteously. Hope unfurled within Elise that perhaps all might not be lost. Surely he must understand how terribly shocked she’d been to hear such a report from her aunt. Her relatives cared about her, wanted to protect her from harm. Whereas she hadn’t been able to believe her fiancé could do so...
With wounding insight Elise realised Alex was treating her coldly because of her lack of faith, because he was feeling as ill used as she was.
She parted her lips, inviting in the tongue teasing her, yearning to please him. She was aware that his hands had released hers to flip open the fastenings on her cloak so firm fingers could thrust inside and rove her figure. Elise sensed the familiar heat within kindling beneath his skilful manipulation. Her breasts were tingling in anticipation of being touched and her hips shifting restlessly on hay. He widened her mouth, fusing their lips with bruising pressure. She knew in a few minutes she’d be enslaved by his sensual skill, unable to resist him or whatever he wanted to do. Yet there was so much more that still needed to be said. With a tiny moan she jerked her head aside so his mouth swept moistly across her flushed cheek.
‘If we could just talk some more, Alex,’ she begged huskily, her breath coming in short pants that grazed her nipples against his chest. ‘I know we are both feeling injured, but I want to trust you...I do trust you...’ she hastily amended.
