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Perhaps, she could remind him of those feelings once again. If this was a journey of discovering more about herself, no one would teach her more than Lord Smith.
Which was why she needed to attract his attention once again.
The feel of Emily’s hand on his arm had Ace’s pulse thrumming through his veins. That feeling of wanting to kiss her returned with a vengeance.
What had this woman done to him?
He’d been rude refusing the ride initially. But the idea of her in his carriage, it undid him in ways he couldn’t articulate. They’d be close. The intimacy alone made his heart speed in his chest.
But also, that was his space. His father had purchased the vehicle years ago and had bequeathed the carriage to him on his twentieth birthday.
At the time, he’d been thrilled. But now the carriage seemed like a consolation prize compared with the riches that had been bestowed upon his legitimate brother.
His father had always maintained that Ace’s mother had been his real wife and Ace and his siblings his real family.
How did that make Easton feel?
As a child, he’d assumed something was wrong with the countess and her son. They weren’t lovable.
But now that he was older, he realized they’d all suffered because his father had chosen to divide his time, his money, and his affection over two families. It was beyond selfish and a mistake he’d never make.
It was also a reminder of why a committed relationship would never work for him. Especially with a woman like Emily. Romance between classes always led to heartbreak, no matter how well-intentioned.
That thought enabled him to hand Emily into the carriage and then calmly take the seat across from her.
He watched as she pressed her skirts into place, Mirabelle giving him a glowing smile as she did the same. “Your address, Miss Boxby?”
“Oh. Yes.” She flushed, looking down at her lap and his gut tightened. He loved her blushes. “Seventeen Adams Row. It’s near Grosvenor Square.”
With a nod, he rapped on the wall behind him and called out the address to his driver. A driver he’d have to give up soon if this plan failed.
Emily drew in a deep breath, her chest swelling as she did. His gaze dropped to her bosom. Her breasts weren’t exactly large, but compared with the rest of her…
He remembered his thought the other night about how he’d like to seek comfort on such a chest.
But at this moment, he’d like to do a bit more than that.
His body clenched and he snapped his teeth together to fight against the rising tide of attraction.
“Tell me about the soiree.” Mirabelle turned to Emily. “Did you dance with a great many men?”
Emily’s brown eyes flicked to his before they returned to her lap. “A few.”
Ace rolled his head back and forth. “I had the pleasure of dancing with your friend.”
Mirabelle gave him a sparkling smile. “Did you?”
Emily nodded. “He was very kind.”
Kind?
But Mirabelle answered before he could argue. “Ace is a good dancer. He taught both myself and my sister.”
Emily’s surprised gaze rose to his again.
“My sister exaggerates. She had a tutor.”
“Only until I was thirteen.” Then Mirabelle leaned forward. “That’s when our father passed.”
