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What on earth could this be about? She didn’t want him thrown out, so she had no choice. “Fine. Send him in, Graves. But he won’t be staying long.”
Mr. Landon strutted into the parlor, proud as a peacock and dressed in dark green velvet. “My lady, I was fraught with disappointment when you chose not to receive me today.”
“Well, it appears I have received you nonetheless, so no need for disappointment,” she said.
“I wish to see how you are recovering from your carriage accident. I’ve been in a constant state of worry over it.”
She warmed a bit. Perhaps he did still care for her, despite her frazzled appearance the previous day. On the other hand, he was probably just being gentlemanly. Whatever the reason, she must be a good hostess.
“Mr. Landon, it’s a pleasure to see you as always. Thank you for your concern, but I assure you I am completely fine. Just a few bumps and bruises. Our poor coachman did not fare nearly as well. He was thrown and killed on impact. I’m thankful Lord Evan and I were inside the coach. It clearly saved our lives.”
“I am so sorry this horrible incident has befallen you. May I sit?”
“Of course.” Ally nodded to the settee across from where she was sitting.
Mr. Landon instead crossed the room and took a seat next to Ally on the divan. She shuddered for a moment at his closeness. But the quiver was different than what she was used to around Mr. Landon. She trembled not from arousal, but from… Was it fear? Of course not. She had been with Mr. Landon many times before. And she certainly wasn’t feeling the rapid heartbeat of fear or the instinct to run screaming. Since she couldn’t quite put her finger on what she was feeling, she chose to ignore it.
“I’m so pleased to see that you have recovered.” Mr. Landon took her hand and lightly brushed his lips over it.
“As you can see, I’m no worse for the wear.” Ally smiled shakily.
Mr. Landon continued to kiss the top of her hand, moving to her wrist and then to her forearm as he rained the gentle kisses over her skin. She gasped, waiting for the goose bumps that usually accompanied his kisses.
They failed to erupt.
Mr. Landon looked up when she drew her hand away.
“My lady, I will be leaving for London tomorrow. I’m planning to attend the remaining balls of the season. I hope very much that I shall see you at one or more of them.”
“Sir, I do believe my stepbrother, sister, and I will be making the trip. I do so look forward to a dance with you.”
“As do I, my beautiful lady.” He took her hand once more and drew it to his lips. Instead of pressing gentle kisses onto her palm, this time he pulled her toward him, caught her in an embrace, and kissed her lips, sliding his tongue along the seam.
She and Mr. Landon had kissed on many occasions, and Ally had never hesitated to open to him. His kisses were smooth and succulent like a fine wine. But what she craved now were Evan’s kisses. His kisses were rough and passionate, raw with power and desire, not so much like a fine wine but more like a hearty Scotch whiskey, that although smooth, burned one’s throat. They were hard and drugging and took all one’s energy, but they were the best experience in the world. Ally would never stop craving Evan’s kisses.
Yet Mr. Landon was the man she intended to marry. So she opened her mouth and accepted his tongue. The kiss was acceptable. More than acceptable, really, considering her experience. In
fact, only three days hence, she had considered his kisses perfect.
Mr. Landon broke away from her lips and kissed her neck, sucking on her pulse point and gliding his tongue over the contours of her neck and shoulder. He grazed over the top of her sleeve, baring more skin and pressing his lips upon it. The experience was pleasant, and yes, it even felt good. And since this was the man she intended to spend her life with, she wanted to experience more. He moved his mouth from her shoulder, down her décolletage, and to the top of her bosom.
“Oh, Lady Alexandra, how beautiful you are,” he said against her skin. “I hunger for you, my darling. Might you grant me one small favor?”
Ally sucked in a breath, and her nipples hardened as she thought of Evan tugging and kissing them. She longed to feel that intensity again. No reason existed to believe that it could only be felt with Evan.
“Mr. Landon…”
“Please, my darling, Nathan.”
Odd, that she still thought of him as Mr. Landon after all this time. He had told her on many occasions to call him by his Christian name, but it had never felt right to Ally. She nearly laughed aloud at the thought. Here, sitting beside her, kissing the tops of her breasts, was the man she intended to marry, and she had never called him by his Christian name. She let out a soft chuckle.
“Is something funny, my lady?”
“No, of course not…Nathan.” She gently cleared her throat. “What favor do you ask of me?”
“Just a glance at your lovely breasts, my lady. I’ve dreamed so long of seeing the beauty you hide beneath your garments.”
Oh, she was tempted. But for Sophie, she was alone in the house. Graves and the others wouldn’t dare barge in. But Evan… If he were home, he would not hesitate. He felt responsible for her. She hadn’t seen him all day, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t here.
