Page 77 of Tempting Her Viscount

After their dance she waved her hand and mentioned the heat. “I believe I need to get some air.”

“Allow me to accompany you,” he offered, holding out his elbow. Once again, he kept his distance even when she attempted to walk closer to him.

She thought once they got out into the darkness of the gardens, he might make an advance. She would be ready to accept.

While she wasn’t exactly eager to have such relations outside where anyone could come upon them, she endeavored to keep an open mind. But there was no advance made.

Lord Rathmore didn’t so much as steal a kiss when they were behind the hedges. He simply escorted her through the low maze and back to the house. Perhaps they could find an empty room. A plump settee would be more comfortable than a bench outdoors anyway.

“I hope you’re not too chilled now,” Lord Rathmore said as she shivered in anticipation.

“Not at all, my lord. I’m still quite heated.” She fluttered her eyelashes, or at least hoped she’d accomplished a naughty look. But Rathmore didn’t respond in a like manner. He simply smiled.

“I shall get you a refreshment. Stay here and I’ll return immediately.”

She sighed as he wound his way through the crowd to retrieve a lemonade.

As promised, he came back with a glass and launched into conversation while she drank the sweet drink.

She would need to learn her way around men, and she knew just who to ask.

*

The next morning,Celia waited for Kit to arrive for breakfast instead of starting without him. Like most mornings, Graham hadn’t descended from his rooms yet so they were alone for the time being.

She smiled at him and Kit suddenly felt like an animal being stalked by a predator. He didn’t have long to wonder what she could want. As soon as his meal was served, she dismissed the servants before launching into her request for information.

“I need your help,” she said as he’d shoveled his first forkful of eggs into his mouth.

“Of course, anything,” he managed to say after swallowing.

It wasn’t just an empty promise. He knew she could ask him anything and he would help her in any way he could. He was a true friend. Or hoped to be.

“I need you to teach me how to be seductive,” she said.

Kit frowned at his plate as he cut his ham. “Has Rathmore not come around yet?” What did the man need? A formal invitation into the woman’s bed?

“No. We flirt and he’s glanced at my breasts, but only when it appears I’m not looking. I’ve seen him gaze at my lips, but he hasn’t even kissed me. How am I to get him into my bed if he won’t even kiss me?”

Kit swallowed, not as comfortable with this conversation as he wished to be. But he’d made an agreement to help her find a lover, and she’d more than exceeded his expectations by introducing him to Willa. Things with his potential wife were going well. He would ask her to marry him soon enough and he was certain she would say yes.

If only he survived this meal.

“What have you tried so far?” he asked, thinking it best to know what hadn’t worked.

“I did just what I did with you. I have made myself available to him.”

“Yes, but you’re a lady, and as such, he probably suspects you want marriage rather than a tup.”

“Don’t use that word, it makes it sound disreputable.” She wrinkled her nose in the most appealing way.

Kit laughed. “Because sleeping with a man only for pleasure can be made to sound respectable?” At her glare he waved his hand. “Never mind. I won’t use the word again. Shall we say, bedding? What about fucking. Can I say that?”

“No.” She shook her head as he chuckled. “Do you know you say that word with a Scottish accent?”

“Hmm. Most likely because I learned it from my father.” He shook his head, getting them back to the original topic. “You may need to do more than make yourself available. He might want you to take the initiative. You may need to seduce him.”

“Yes. Which is why I need your assistance. To tell me how I should do that?”