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A masculine sound of agreement came from above her.
Once her skirts were freed, the hand on her elbow pulled Theo up, even as his other arm settled around her waist. Fingertips pressed into her skin.
Theo kept her eyes focused on the buttons decorating his coat, overcome with shyness, an emotion she rarely exhibited around Blythe. Not knowing what was expected of her, she counted the small line of birds, afraid to take a breath lest this moment end.
He dropped his nose to the side of her neck, gently gliding his hand through her hair before taking a breath against her skin. A low rumble came from his chest as his fingers trailed along her cheek and down her jaw, tipping up her chin.
Theo’s eyes fluttered closed. She’d dreamt of this exact scenario for months. The press of Blythe’s mouth on hers. The tender adoration of his lips. The sheer romance of the act. Perhaps he’d even whisper poetry to her. Blythe adored poetry.
This kiss wasn’t at all what she’d imagined.
There was no hesitation or asking for permission before his lips caught at hers. The kiss was gentle but demanding. Lazy in the decadent exploration of her mouth. A nip at her bottom lip coaxed her mouth to part, and she did, unfurling like the bud of a rose. The sensual flick of his tongue, the subtle luring of her senses, filled Theo with such wicked thoughts.
She couldn’t even hear the musicians playing in the ballroom anymore, only the sound of her pulse beating in her ears.
A warm hand skimmed up the length of her spine, the spread of his fingers stopping when he reached the back of her neck. He squeezed ever so softly. A gentle warning for her not to move, only to surrender.
Her hands flew up to grasp the lapels of his coat, fingers sinking into the luxurious fabric. She pulled him closer until her aching breasts flattened against his chest. She sagged against him, hanging on for dear life, her legs no longer capable of holding her upright.
A low growl vibrated beneath her fingertips.
Mouth moving to the line of her neck, he cupped the underside of one breast in a tender caress.
A whimper left her.
The thick strands of his hair brushed seductively along the exposed skin of her shoulder, trailing over the tops of her breasts as his tongue trailed along her neck.
Theo gasped, eyes popping open in horror.
Blythe’s hair wasshort. Closely cropped to his skull. His hair would be unable to trail against her shoulder or anywhere else. And there was the aroma of spice in the air, not the citrus scent Blythe favored.
Theo turned her head, fingers curling into fists as she pushed back against the man who held her, so shocked, sooutraged, she could barely speak. “You—”
“The Marquess of Haven,” he supplied.
“I know who you are. I’ve eyes.” Her mouth, still swollen, could barely form the words.
“Yes, and lovely eyes at that. But you should wear your spectacles, Lady Theodosia. I’m told you own a pair.” Haven’s hand still cupped her breast as if it were of no consequence. “I could have been one of the footmen.”
Theo smacked his arm, his chest. Basically, any part of Haven she could reach. “Release me. This instant.” Heat flamed her cheeks.My God. The audacity of him. What if someone had come upon them? “How dare you pretend to be Blythe.”
“Pretend?” His hands released her. “I did not. It isn’t my fault you can’t see anything. I could have left you to be hit in the temple by this”—he motioned to the towering candlestick—“but I very gallantly did not. Though it might have knocked some sense into you.”
Theo’s lips and body were still throbbing from Haven’s kiss. Which did nothing to improve her mood. “That’s Blythe’s coat,” she accused.
“Correct. It appears you can see quite clearly when you choose to.” He lifted his broad shoulders in a careless shrug. “He was kind enough to lend me a coat for tonight. Mine,” he said, glaring down at her, “was ruined.”
Haven was intolerable. “You—” She took a deliberate step back.
“You’re having trouble speaking, my lady. Are you sure you didn’t run into the wall on your way to me?”
“I wasn’t coming to you,” she spat, humiliated to the very roots of her hair. “I didn’t even know you were here.”
Haven. I’ve kissed Haven.
“Exactly. Much like the day you ruined my coat.” He crossed his arms across his chest.
Theo’s fingers tingled, remembering the feel of all that warm muscle. “It was an accident. I’ve apologized. Besides, the coat Iunintentionallyruined would not have been appropriate for this evening, as well you know.”
