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“But I shall not like it.”
He smiled at her. “You will love it.”
Inhaling her rosy scent, he moved with her across the floor. Perhaps having her so close when all he wanted to do was secret her off to a secluded place was not a good idea after all. He could barely control the urges he felt tonight.
There was no denying that he needed her now. As the music ended, he said, “Elizabeth, I am not feeling terribly well. Would you mind if we left early?”
“Of course not,” she replied with worry creasing her brow. “Go wait for us in the front hall. I will get the girls.”
“Very well.”
As he waited for the carriage, his foot kept time with the small clock in the hallway.
“You really do not look very well,” Elizabeth said once she and the girls found their way to the hall.
“I will be all right. I just need a good night’s sleep.” Will almost laughed. Sleep was the last thing on his mind tonight.
She shrugged, then walked to the waiting carriage.
Will clamored into the coach and was struck by the intimate setting. Darkness surrounded them and with the curtains drawn, it was as if the world had slipped away. He sat back against the seat and waited for the carriage to take them home.
Elizabeth had never been so thankful for Ellie and Lucy being with them. The dark enclosed carriage felt too intimate tonight. She was certain his leg had brushed against hers deliberately on the ride home. Each time she felt his leg next to hers, little shivers of desire spread throughout her body.
She climbed down from the carriage and strode past him. Distance was the answer. She had to get away from him before he wore down her defenses with another kiss.
“Good night,” she said once they had walked into the house. She raced up the steps to her room. Once there, she breathed a sigh of relief to see Susan waiting for her.
“Good evening, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Good evening, Susan.”
While her maid pulled out a chemise for Elizabeth to wear for the night, Elizabeth pulled the pins out of her hair. She listened as his footfalls echoed up the stairs, closer to her room. Finally, she heard him close his door. She hoped he felt all right. Perhaps once Susan retired, she would check on him.
She relaxed as she dressed and Susan brushed out her hair. Seeing Susan yawn, Elizabeth said, “Go to bed. I can plait my own hair tonight.”
“Thank you, miss.” Susan picked up a few things before retiring for the night.
Elizabeth stared at her bedroom door. Going to him even to see if he was all right might give him the wrong idea. A sound from outside drew her to the windows. She looked out, only to see a wagon lumbering by. She was far too jumpy tonight.
She started to walk back to her mirror when the door opened quickly. “What are you doing in here?”
Will smiled in such a devilish way at her, and then turned and locked the door. “Why do you think I’m here?”
“Will, I will not play games with you tonight. Please leave my room.” Elizabeth took a step back as he advanced on her. “Will, you told me you were ill!”
“I am perfectly fine.” He continued to stalk her until she had backed herself up against her desk. He stared down at her with his dark eyes.
“Will, I asked you to leave!”
“No.”
She swallowed and briefly wondered if he’d had too much to drink while in the gaming room with the men. He reached out and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
“Will, say something,” she pleaded. If she could get him talking then everything would be all right.
Instead, he gently kissed her. This was not the kiss of a drunkard but a man out to pursue a woman. He deepened the kiss, brushing his tongue against the slit of her lips. Elizabeth knew she should be the strong one and resist the temptation, but she didn’t want to be strong. She kissed him back, loving the feel of his tongue on hers.
His lips moved away from her and she moaned softly, missing the taste of persuasion. He kissed her jaw and then slipped her earlobe into the warm recesses of his mouth. She shivered with excitement and the allure of danger. But common sense finally eased its way back into her mind. Pulling away from him, she stared longingly at his face as if to memorize the look of passion on him.
