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“Nonsense, you had only two glasses, the same as the rest of us.”
“Yes, but if you noticed, I didn’t eat very much. I couldn’t seem to choke anything down. I felt like… Lucy, he was looking at me. I couldn’t chew or anything. I was deathly afraid I’d do something ridiculous, like spill that dreaded tomato bisque down the front of my gown.”
“Iris…”
“This is so silly. I’m fifty-two years old, for goodness’ sake, and I’m acting like an infatuated school girl!”
“You were fine. No one noticed a thing.”
“Lord. Lucy, did you tell Maggie about the earl and me?”
“Of course not. I gave you my word.”
“Thank goodness.”
“Although I think Maggie would be understanding.”
“Yes, I’m sure she would. And I do mean to tell her…eventually. Flora too. But right now I can’t even think straight.”
“You need some air, dear. Why don’t you go out onto the back terrace? It’s a beautiful evening. I’ll have Eunice bring our coffees out there.”
“Yes, that would be lovely. I will.”
Iris left the main parlor and walked down the long hallway to the stairway leading to the ballroom. She stopped in the ladies’ retiring room and assessed her appearance, thankful that her dusty pink dinner gown wasn’t dripping tomato or claret. Quickly she descended the grand staircase and strode through the vacant ballroom, out onto the back terrace. The sun had almost completely set, and the half moon shone brightly in the night sky. Within a half hour, the fiery stars would light up the clear sky. She took a deep breath, relishing the fresh night air, her hands on the railing, her body leaning into the soft breeze of the evening.
“You haven’t changed a bit, Iris.”
She turned, gasped, and stood only a hair’s breadth away from David Xavier, the Earl of Brighton.
* * * *
Rose was sitting alone on the front terrace when Evan appeared.
“Where are your cousins?” he asked.
“Sophie got a chill, and Ally went upstairs to write a letter to Mr. Landon.”
“Good,” he said. “Not that I mind their company, but I’m glad to spend some time with you alone. Would you care to walk a bit?”
Rose sighed. This was her destiny. This nice, honorable man, who clearly adored her. She was fond of him, but she didn’t love him. Would never love him. She loved another. Would always love another. But Evan, not Cameron, was her future.
“Of course.” She stood and took his arm.
Together they walked toward the stables and turned down a small winding path.
“Could we stop at the kennels?” Rose asked. “I’d like to see Brandy. I promised Lily I would take good care of her.” Brandy was a St. John’s Dog puppy, a gift to Lily from the duke.
“Yes, that’s fine,” Evan said.
But he stopped, turned Rose to face him, and lightly brushed his lips down upon hers.
Evan’s kiss.
It was sweet and gentle. Enjoyable, but not astounding. Pleasant, but not life changing. Rose wanted more. She flung her arms around Evan’s neck and drew her to him, taking his mouth with hers. Perhaps it wasn’t Cameron that made their kisses so special. Maybe she could kiss like that with any man. She intended to find out.
She plunged her tongue into Evan’s mouth and slid it over his smooth teeth, his soft gums, the warmth of his inside cheeks. He responded, soft moans escaping from the back of his throat. She had never kissed him like this before. He clearly liked it.
Rose sucked lightly on his lower lip and then took it between her teeth and nipped it gently. She traced his full lips slowly, seductively, and covered his chin with tiny moist kisses.
