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* * *
Elizabeth knew what he was going to do when his blue eyes darkened, and his arm moved from her shoulders to circle her waist. Though her mind screamed a command to her body to flee, she remained as she was in his arms. He lowered his head, and when his lips found hers, she stopped breathing.
Two things had happened to her tonight that she had never imagined, and she was shocked to learn that even though she knew who he was now, she still allowed him to kiss her. Her body acted of its free will.
He drew her closer, and she leaned against him, familiar heat simmering between her legs, drawing wantonness out of her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with fervor. He groaned.
His hands caressed her hips and slowly moved up to her breasts, his fingers rolling her nipples through her silk dress. Pleasure rippled through her, and she arched her back. The heat from his touch and kiss reached every part of her body, and she began to tremble with need.
The eagerness with which she allowed him to stroke her body was astounding, and even though her mind was still telling her to stop, her body wanted nothing but to allow him to give her pleasure. He kissed her neck then bit her skin and pinched her nipples all at once. She gasped as the pain became pleasure and tightened her body with even more need. His lips returned to hers, and he kissed her sweetly and slowly.
Elizabeth knew she would regret this later. She pulled away and looked up at him. His blue eyes had darkened even more with desire, and his lips glistened from their kiss. She reached up and removed his black demi-mask then stroked his cheek. He smiled, his arms returning to her waist and holding her tightly against him. She blinked as if waking from a slumber.
“What have I done? How dare you?” Regret came sooner than she thought and tightened her chest, reminding her of how foolish she had been to allow the worst of rakes to seduce her.
He smirked. “How dare I not? I do not recall you resisting me.”
She pushed him away, feeling ashamed, but she straightened her shoulders and met his gaze. “You will never marry my sister.” Especially after kissing her now. He was the wrong man for Irene.
“Your father has all but agreed,” he countered, confidently folding his arms across his chest.
“He can be swayed,” she argued, desperate to leave and determined to forget what had just happened.
He laughed. “And you believe you are capable of swaying him?”
“Think as little as you want of a bluestocking spinster, Guildford, but I am the portal that stands in your way.” She did not allow him to react before she brushed past him to return to the ballroom.
Elizabeth had prepared for a battle since she learned of his interest in Irene, and she would not relent now. She had to protect her sister.
* * *
As soon as they returned home, Elizabeth followed her father to his study. “Father, I want to know why you want Irene to marry the Marquess.”
He stopped his procession to his desk and turned to face her. “Elizabeth, can we talk about this in the morning?”
“You leave for Surrey in the morning.” She placed her hands on her hips.
Joseph laughed. “I was hoping you had forgotten.”
“I know your hand, Father. You taught me how to play this game.”
He sat behind his desk and gestured for her to sit. “Guildford has the influence this family requires,” he began, and even though several questions rose in her mind, she allowed him to continue. “He is a marquess who does no wrong in Society, and—”
Elizabeth had to speak now. “He does no wrong because there is something wrong with Society. He is a rake, Father. Do you want a man who would disrespect your daughter in such a manner?”
Irene looked to Elizabeth for guidance, and she could not fail her sister. She was ashamed of her actions tonight and must make amends by helping her sister to make a good match. If Guildford could kiss Elizabeth and not feel any shame or remorse, then he likely will not be faithful to Irene.
Her father’s face colored very slightly, and she knew she had made a valid point. “Rakes can change, Elizabeth.” He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to argue. “Now, the reason I want Irene to marry him is because of you. I know you no longer wish to marry, but I want you to be looked after should anything happen to me. I have no heir, and the title will revert to the crown at the time of my death.”
Elizabeth leaned back in her seat and sighed, understanding for the first time how her life would change if her father died, and she was a spinster. She might have a fortune, but she would lack protection. Despite that understanding, she still maintained that Guildford was not the right man for her sister.
“Irene can marry someone else with a good influence in Society. There are earls, viscounts, and barons all about town,” she argued. Another reason she did not want him for Irene was because of what they had done both in the library and in the garden. There was a taint on him now, on Elizabeth, too, that Irene should not be exposed to.
Joseph smiled. “I want the most influential man for her, Elizabeth.”
“What about love? You are happy with Mother. Do you not wish for Irene to be happy?”
Joseph sighed and regarded her for a moment then he said, “I suppose I needed you to remind me of that. I wish for her to marry Guildford only if she will be happy with him.”
