At last, they came back together.
“Would you like me to be honest, Miss Snowley?” he whispered as they circled each other once more.
His words sounded like a challenge, but she found she was more than willing to take it on.
“Yes,” she breathed. “I would have you be honest with me. Always.”
He was suddenly at her back, so close she could feel his breath warming the back of her neck.
“You drive me mad, Penelope. Every moment with you is exquisite torture, and I never want it to end.”
He circled away from her the next moment, leaving her befuddled and gasping.
Chapter Seventeen
Perhaps that was a touch too far?
Andrew noted the rigidness of Penelope’s shoulders as he moved away from her. He had not truly meant to say what he did. The words had slipped from his tongue of their own accord. Luckily, he had been of the mind to make sure no one was near enough to hear him speak.
He had known that moment of the dance would bring them intimately close for a moment, and he had not been able to stop himself from taking advantage of the opportunity. It may have been too much for her, however. She always sounded so worldly when they spoke, he often forgot how truly innocent she was.
After a heartbeat where she stood frozen in the middle of the floor, she came back to life and slid into the dance as if she had not missed a step. Her expression was guarded when she looked at him, however. He cursed his foolishness.
If you push her too far too fast, she will likely flee from you.
They drew close again, and he opened his mouth to offer an apology.
“You are too bold, Andrew,” she hissed before he could speak a word. “Why do you insist on putting us at so much risk? What if someone had heard you?”
Her pique surprised him, as he expected her to shy away from him rather than confront him. Most other ladies would.
She is not like other ladies.
He met her glare, and his hands clenched at the heat he saw there. Not just annoyance and anger, but pure lust burned in her eyes. She probably did not realize she was looking at him in such a way, but he felt a stirring in his manhood in response to her blatant desire. If he noticed it, however, others might as well.
“Careful, darling,” he growled the next time they passed by each other. “Your gaze is giving away exactly what you are thinking.”
He caught a glimpse of her reddening cheeks before she turned her back to him.
The dance was coming to an end, and with no time to spare. Andrew did not know how much more he could take of Penelope’s nearness before he lost all control of himself. They returned to the lines they had started in and faced each other. Her eyes were wide when they met his. No doubt she had shocked herself with their exchange. As the song’s last notes played out, he bowed to her as she curtsied to him.
Then, before he could approach her, she fled the floor.
* * *
Dorothy could not believe her luck. Harry Snowley had proven far more charming and handsome than she could have imagined. His smile had made her heart flutter, and the way he had spoken to her had her stomach all in knots. Their encounter had been brief, ending almost as soon as her brother had escorted Miss Snowley to dance, but in that short amount of time, he had affected her as no man had before him.
She kept her eyes on him as he moved about the room, careful to be discreet in her observations. He was an easy conversationalist, moving from person to person and engaging with each as though he were encountering an old, dear friend. He was quick to laugh, as well. From small chuckles to full guffaws, he appeared to find entertainment everywhere he went.
Sipping a glass of champagne, she took careful note of each lady he interacted with as well. Jealousy spiked through her each time a lady batted her eyelashes his way or giggled at whatever clever thing he had said. Dorothy had never been one for sharing. When something was hers, she could not tolerate anyone else touching it.
Mr. Snowley was hers. She had decided this within moments of meeting him. He may not yet realize it, but she would remedy that soon enough. In the meantime, however, every lady that approached him with interest in her gaze was placed on Dorothy’s list of future social pariahs.
“Oh, Lady Dorothy, there you are,” Miss Snowley suddenly appeared at her side, breathless and flushed.
Dorothy frowned, concern momentarily distracting her from Mr. Snowley. “Goodness, dear. Are you well? You look fevered.”
Miss Snowley squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, her face turning impossibly redder.
“I simply overexerted myself while dancing.”
Dorothy did not believe her, but she could not truly say why. She decided not to press the lady, though, and gazed around her for any sign of Andrew.
“Did Lord Romwich not return with you?”
Miss Snowley’s mouth set into a hard line. “No, I am afraid not. I was in need of some space, so I left him behind.”
Dear Lord, Andrew. What have you done now?
“Did he do something to upset you, Miss Snowley? You may be honest with me. I know what my brother can be like.”
The lady appeared to struggle to speak for several moments. “It is not that he upset me, necessarily. It is just…I often find myself at a disadvantage in our interactions. He throws me off balance, and I think sometimes he does so on purpose because he enjoys my discomfort.”
Dorothy understood, then. “Miss Snowley, my brother can be a handful, but I can assure you, he does not seek your discomfort. Merely to see past your defenses.”
“I am afraid I do not understand.”
Taking Miss Snowley’s hand in hers, Dorothy explained, “My brother holds a fascination for people and their inner workings. He will often tease and cajole in order to disarm and make vulnerable. It is not from a place of malice, however. It is simply to observe the true natures of those around him.”
Miss Snowley’s lips parted, and realization lightened her gaze. “Ahh, I believe I understand.” Looking over her shoulder, she murmured, “I should find him and apologize.”
“I am sure that is not necessary,” Dorothy assured her. “Though you should find him and make it known when he goes too far. He will ease back, I promise you this.”
Miss Snowley met her gaze again, and her expression shone with appreciation. “Thank you, My Lady. You are a great help.”
“It is my pleasure,” Dorothy said with a smile.
Miss Snowley turned and hurried away from her, no doubt to hunt Andrew down and give him a piece of her mind. Dorothy found she was liking the lady more and more with every interaction they had.
Alone again, she sought out Mr. Snowley among the crowd once more. She furrowed her brow, however, when he was nowhere to be found. Her discussion with Miss Snowley had been so brief, surely he could not have gotten far in the time she was not paying attention.
“Have you misplaced someone, My Lady?”
Dorothy squeaked in surprise at the familiar voice, and turned to find Mr. Snowley himself standing beside her. She had been so focused on finding him, she had not noticed him approach! What irony.
She gulped, instantly nervous in his presence. An odd sensation for her, as she was rarely nervous around anyone.
“Mr. Snowley…what makes you think I am looking for someone?”
He grinned that charming grin of his that made her knees weak. “You appeared quite intent as you gazed about the room. One could only assume you were so focused because you were seeking someone specifically. Pray tell, My Lady, who was it?”
He was teasing her, she realized. Her cheeks heated and she turned away from him. She’d thought she was being so discreet, for him to so easily pick up on what she was doing was mortifying.
“I do not know what you are talking about, Sir,” she replied. She would deny any claims he made of her, she decided. No reason to look any more the fool than she already did.
The sound of his low chuckle had shivers dancin
g up her back.
“You are undeniably amusing, My Lady. If it would not be construed as improper, I would happily stay by your side all night simply to listen to you speak.”
She spun to face him again, jaw-dropped. His words…the promise in them…she could not stop her heart from beating a wild rhythm as excitement made her blood hum.
“I…I believe I would enjoy your company,” she finally managed to reply. “Were it not construed as improper, of course.”
For a moment, they stared at each other, and Dorothy felt as though he could see straight into her soul.
At length, he blinked and stepped away from her. “I suppose I should make another lap of the room, My Lady. We cannot have people accusing me of staying too close to you throughout the night, can we?”
Her breath left her in a rush. “No, Mr. Snowley, we cannot have that.”
With a last lingering look, he turned and maneuvered into the crowd again. Dorothy watched him go, her stomach doing somersaults as she hoped his path brought him right back around to her side, where he most definitely belonged.
* * *
“Ah, there you are. I have been searching for you everywhere.”
Penelope glanced up and met Andrew’s eyes. He appeared concerned, his strong brow furrowed and his lips pulled into a frown.
“I apologize, Andrew. I simply needed a moment to think.” She stood by herself in one corner of the room, her back pressed to the wall. After her brief encounter with Lady Dorothy, she had started out to find Andrew and speak with him, but then changed her mind at the last moment. She had wanted to sort her thoughts first.
“I should be the one apologizing,” he insisted in a low tone. “What I did during the dance was foolish and inappropriate. You have every right to be cross with me. Again and again, I push you too far too fast…”
“Please don’t, Andrew.” She smiled softly at him. “You simply caught me off guard. I am not use to…to this.” She waved her hand between them. “Being connected with a gentleman in such a way. It should not startle me so when you speak more intimately to me.”
“I should not have done so here,” he insisted. “With so many people around us who could have overheard. That was thoughtless, and I promise it will not happen again.”
The sting of disappointment she felt at his words surprised her. Did a part of her want him to do it again? To say those things to her?
“Andrew, it is all right.” She wanted to reach out and touch his hand to reassure him that she held no animosity toward him, but she resisted. Courting only afforded them so many privileges.
“Is it truly?” he murmured, searching her eyes with his own. “The last thing I wish is to upset you, Penelope. I would not have you angry with me.”
Pushing from the wall, she faced him fully and brightened her smile.
“I promise you, I am not angry. Not even annoyed.” He grinned at her teasing tone.
“In that case, may I escort you to find refreshments?” He offered her his arm.
“You may,” she nodded, wrapping her hand around his forearm. Head held high, she allowed him to lead her through the crowded room, fully aware of the jealous stares that followed her and the whispers that would surely accompany them. However, she did not care. Andrew was warm and sturdy beside her, and no matter the aggravation he caused her, she wanted no one else by her side.
Chapter Eighteen
Harry paced the foyer of his parent’s home as he impatiently waited for Penelope to descend the stairs.
What is taking her? We will be late!
He was tempted to run up and fetch her, to drag her from her room, if necessary. Realizing that his thoughts were running away with him, he forced himself to take a deep breath in an attempt to calm his wild nerves. He was simply excited for their appointment. Had been anticipating it since the Bagleys’ ball two days prior.
Harry and Penelope were scheduled to meet Lord Romwich and Lady Dorothy for a shopping excursion. Penelope had arranged it nearly the moment he had expressed an interest in seeing Lady Dorothy again. His sister’s enthusiasm toward bringing him and Lady Dorothy together would have aggravated him were he not so keen on the idea himself. Instead, she was proving rather helpful.
Except for the fact that she is going to make us late!
He suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps from the landing above. Penelope appeared the next moment, hurrying to the top of the stairs and descending at a pace that sent a bolt of alarm shooting through him.
“Penelope! Careful!”
She looked up at him with a harried smile, her face flushed.
“I am so sorry, Harry. I know we are behind on time, but I simply couldn’t decide on what to wear.”
“You’ll be covered by your cloak for nearly the entirety of our outing,” he grumbled, his concern for her safety vanishing once her feet reached the floor. “No one will even notice the gown you are wearing.”
She gave him a stern look. “I will know what I have on, even if no one else does. That is all that matters.”
He rolled his eyes, but kept his mouth firmly closed on the matter. Years of experience told him it was no use arguing with his sister when her mind was made up about something.
“Very well, you have managed to get yourself dressed and down here. Now, can we please be on our way?”
Instead of the affront he expected, Penelope smiled knowingly at him.
“My, my, brother. So eager to get back into Lady Dorothy’s company?”
He gnashed his teeth in frustration. “If I was, you could imagine how irritated I am growing at your delaying me, yes?”
She waved her hand dismissively toward him as Carlton brought out her fur-lined long cloak, gloves, and winter bonnet. The butler assisted her as she put everything on, and Harry swore she moved at a slower pace just to annoy him further. When she was finally ready, he stormed toward the door, the bottom of his own greatcoat flapping around his legs in his haste. Her giggle followed him out onto the front step.
“Harry, calm yourself,” she said, coming up behind him. Their carriage was already pulled up the drive and awaiting them. He jogged down the steps, ignoring her.
“Come along, sister,” he called without looking back to see if she were following him or not. “It will be rude to keep our companions waiting any longer.”
After another moment, in which he was sure she was shaking her head in exasperation at him, he heard her moving down the steps to join him at the carriage. Offering her his hand, he assisted her up into the vehicle, careful not to shove her as he desired to. Once she was settled, he climbed up inside as well and sat across from her.
Her expression was filled with mirth as the carriage took off.
“What?” he snapped. “What is so amusing to you?”
His temper did not appear to faze her in the slightest.
“Do not be like that, Harry,” she teased. “I think it is sweet how taken you are with Lady Dorothy.”
“I hardly know the lady,” he grumbled. “How could I possibly be taken with her so soon?”
“You can fool yourself, brother, but you cannot fool me. You have been giddy as a schoolboy ever since the Bagley’s ball, and I know Lady Dorothy is the reason. There is no use denying it.”
Damn nosey brat. She is too clever for her own good, sometimes.
“So what if she is the reason?” he replied curtly. “Why should I not be taken with her? She is lovely, charming, and the daughter of a Duke! There are few ladies of higher pedigree than Lady Dorothy Wilson.”
Penelope let out a sigh. “Her pedigree is all well and good, but that is not what matters. You like her, Harry.”
“I have liked plenty of ladies.”
She shook her head. “No, you have tried to like plenty of ladies, but none have ever held your interest for long. Lady Dorothy is different, I can tell. You have never been as excited to see a lady again as you are with her.”
He hated admitting it, but she was right. La
dy Dorothy was different. Every other time he had attempted to forge a connection with a lady, it had been so much work. He had to put in so much effort. Yet, with Lady Dorothy, he had felt connected to her the moment their eyes had met.
Harry was eager to explore that link between them. To see if it was something real and lasting. Would Lady Dorothy prove able to alleviate his loneliness? Would she complete that happy picture in his head of a loving home complete with a wife and children?
Lustful Memoirs 0f A Bewitching Lady (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 12