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“I wasn’t asking for permission.”
She blinked and visibly swallowed. He knew she felt the attraction between them.
“You will not ruin my reputation or that of any other women at this party,” she replied stiffly.
“But I only want to ruin you…again,” he whispered.
“I already told you that would never happen again, so please stop referring to the day in the music room.”
“If only I could.”
Her eyes flashed a warning at him. “You had best not even think of it.”
“But I cannot stop thinking about it.” He pulled her closer again just to feel her quiver. “Can you?”
Chapter 14
Two days after Lady Cantwell’s ball, Elizabeth had the answer she’d been waiting for. While she should rush and tell Will that she wasn’t with child, she decided to avoid him for one more day. After his lewd banter at the ball, she had no desire to see him again.
If only that were true.
She did want to see him. And she wanted to see him naked and lying in bed. There was something dreadfully wrong with her. Never in her life had she felt this way about a man. Now it was all she could think of, and at all times of the day and night.
Unfortunately, avoiding him the past two days had only made the yearning worse. At least for the next few days, she wouldn’t be able to act upon those lustful feelings. But she supposed she should stop ignoring him.
A light knock sounded on her bedroom door. “Yes?”
“Miss Seaton is here to see you, miss. Shall I tell her you are not at home?” her maid asked, peeking through the doorway.
“I shall be down presently.”
“I will show her to the small salon, then.”
“Thank you, Susan.”
Elizabeth wondered what might bring Victoria around this afternoon. Having not seen her friend since their outing to Whitechapel, this would give her the opportunity to question Victoria. Elizabeth doubted it could have been her friend in such a crime-ridden section of town.
After a quick check in the mirror, Elizabeth walked down the stairs, still looking to avoid Will. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to be about today.
As she reached the front hall, she stopped and asked Kenneth, “Where is His Grace?”
“Out, my lady.”
“Out? With whom?” she asked.
“Lord Selby,” Kenneth replied.
Well, at least Avis’s husband was a huge step up from that wastrel Somerton. Elizabeth continued into the small salon where Victoria sat staring at a painting Jennette had done a few years ago.
“Victoria,” Elizabeth said before sitting down on the brocade sofa. “What brings you here today?”
Victoria smiled and pushed a strand of blond hair out of her face. “I wanted to make sure Mrs. Weston was working out for little Sarah.”
“Mrs. Weston is wonderful. She has been working with Sarah to teach her to read. Sarah loves her.”
“Oh, thank God,” Victoria mumbled and quickly covered her mouth.
“Why do you say that?”
