Page 26 of How to Tempt an Earl

Straightening her spine, she clutched her reticule in her lap. She was determined that tonight would end differently from her first encounter with Ian in this room. Clearing her throat, she withdrew her notes from her reticule and handed them to him. “You’ll see I have made a list of tasks we must accomplish before you accept any invitations.”

Ian unfolded the foolscap. “Dressing. Servants. Dining. Proper address of peers. Dancing.” He looked up and arched a dark eyebrow. “Is that all?”

She shook her head. “No. Other topics are sure to arise. But we must start with these as they are crucial.”

“You’re much more organized tonight.”

“I didn’t know what to expect the first time. Now I know it’s best to avoid…to avoid distractions.” She was thinking of the kiss, and from the arrogant look on his face, she knew he was, too.

He stared at her. He didn’t intimidate her; rather, he looked almost humorous. “You mean our kiss?”

She frowned. “We shouldn’t speak of it. I’ve already forgotten it.”

“Forgotten it?”

“Yes.”

He touched a hand to his heart. “You wound me. The truth is, I’ve thought of little else.”

Really? The notion that the owner of the Raven Club, the new Earl of Castleton, had thought of their kiss made her stare at him in astonishment. It also made her stomach flutter.

“My lord—”

“Don’t call me that, remember?”

She did, but even if she thought of him as Ian, she should not call him by his Christian name. “Fine. But we discussed this last evening. There will be no kissing, no inappropriate behavior of any kind. We must focus on your lesson.”

“I haven’t forgotten my vow to behave as a gentleman. I consider it my first lesson.”

“Good.”

“But I never agreed not to discuss it.”

She glared at him. Talking about the kiss was turning out to be dangerous to her racing heart. She tried not to look at his mouth, and failed. The kiss had started out hard but had softened to a near caress that had captured her breath. His lower lip was fuller than the top, and she had touched it with the tip of her tongue. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, either.”

Leaning forward in his chair, his leg brushed her skirts. The simple contact made her tingle. “Then you must tell me the truth,” he said. “You’ve thought about it, haven’t you?”

Is that what the stubborn man was after? Her admission? Did he require her to blurt out the truth that she’d dreamed of the brush of his lips, the feel of him pressed against her? Would he leave the topic alone if she confessed the truth?

“Fine,” she said a bit too tersely. “I’ve thought of it, too.”

An arrogant gleam lit his dark eyes, and he leaned back in his chair. “Good.”

Her voice was hoarse with frustration. “Now shall we proceed with our lessons? I needn’t remind you that the ball is in less than a fortnight.”

His lips twitched and he stood. “Come.” He extended his hand. “I have something to show you.”

She glared at him warily. “Something other than our current topic of conversation?”

“Yes. You’ll be pleased that I am a quick study.”

What could he have learned from last evening? She rose and placed the tips of her gloved fingers on his arm. She trailed behind him, curious as to what he had in mind.

He opened the library door and led her into the hall.

“Where are we going?”

“I sought the services of a tailor. I’ve paid him triple for his sole attention.”