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The feel of her in his arms stirred the memory of her request for a kiss. That had him drawing a long, slow breath, which proved to be a mistake when the scent of gardenias filled his senses.
He clenched his jaw, trying to remember what she’d just said rather than thinking about how she might taste, with little success.
“Norah?”
She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Yes?”
“I should very much like to kiss you.” How ridiculous that he couldn’t think of a way to ask without simply repeating the same phrase she’d used hours ago.
“Yes.”
He blinked, wondering what she meant, his thoughts too muddled to be certain.
“Now, Simon.” Then she lifted onto her toes even as she pulled his head down to meet hers.
Her mouth was soft yet firm. Sweet yet spicy. Everything he wanted and more. Damn, but he felt greedy. He wanted more. Rather than the sweet, tender kiss he’d intended, he devoured her. His tongue tested the seam of her lips, grateful beyond measure when she opened for him. The kiss deepened—part exploration, part enjoyment.
The sound of a violin caught his ear, and he tried to reconcile why he heard it in the museum. Only then did he remember the party. The guests. Her sisters. All nearby. He jerked back, his gaze sweeping her face, wondering if he should apologize.
“Oh, yes.” Norah loosened her hold on his neck. “That was a kiss.” Her eyes were dark with the same passion gripping him. She licked her lower lip as if she could still taste him, and it was all he could do not to kiss her again. “I suppose we should rejoin the guests,” she whispered.
“I suppose.” He forced himself to release her and step back. “You go first. I’ll follow shortly.” He needed a moment to settle his thoughts and the hardness of his body.
She smiled, causing his chest to tighten, then she was gone, with only the swinging curtain evidence that she’d been there.
Thank goodness it would be some time—if ever—before he saw her again. Odd, but the thought was anything but pleasing.
Chapter Five
Norah paused outsideher grandfather’s study the following morning, pondering what to say if she ventured inside.
That she was disappointed he’d chosen to not come to the unveiling? Angry? Frustrated?
In truth, it was all of those and more. Her sisters would agree. Though she knew he had difficulty even saying her father’s name, let alone viewing a display to honor his work, she had still wanted him to come. It would’ve meant so much to her and her sisters.
None of them had spoken of it as of yet. That didn’t mean they weren’t all keenly aware of his absence.
Hoping the right words would come, Norah knocked on the door and heard his muffled reply.
“Good morning,” she said as she entered.
“Norah. How are you?” He barely met her gaze, suggesting he felt guilty, but perhaps she was reading things into his reaction.
“Well, thank you.” She walked forward, hands clasped before her, still uncertain how to approach the situation. Though they’d grown closer, he was not an easy person with whom to speak. “I’ve come to provide a report on last evening.”
“Last evening?” His brow furrowed, but she didn’t believe his supposed confusion for a moment.
“Yes. The unveiling at the museum.”
“Oh. Was that last night?”
She shook her head with a resigned smile. “No need to pretend. I can’t say I’m not disappointed you weren’t there.”
“Hmm.”
When he said nothing more, she didn’t press the matter. Disagreements were not her strong suit. She need only think of the cross words she’d shared with her father to be reminded of the consequences of speaking her feelings. If the duke wasn’t interested in seeing the exhibit, why attempt to change his mind?
“At any rate,” she continued, “the event was a success. We raised a significant sum for the orphanage.”
