“I hope you are not terribly upset with me, Lord Dunning,” she said, smiling sweetly.
“Upset with you?” He looked taken aback.
“For asking you to relinquish the final dance,” she clarified. “I recall you mentioning earlier how much you enjoyed dancing.”
He smiled then in understanding. “I could never be upset with you, Lady Tiffany,” he insisted. “In fact, I couldn’t be more pleased that you wished to step outside with me, for there is something I’ve wanted to say to you all evening.” He stopped then in the shadow of the house and turned to face her, his expression suddenly earnest.
Tiffany felt a flicker of apprehension as he abruptly reached down and grasped both of her hands with his.
“Lady Tiffany, I simply must tell you that you are the most beautiful and most delightfully enchanting woman I have ever met,” he declared fervently.
She gaped at him. “Lord Dunning, I-”
”You have completely captivated me,” he avowed, cutting her off mid-sentence as he pinned her with his impassioned gaze. “I know that we have only just met, but I swear to you, I have never felt this way before.” He regarded her intently. “Please tell me you feel it too.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but words escaped her. Dear heavens, what on earth had she gotten herself into? As she struggled for what to say, he suddenly released her hands. She felt only a moment’s relief however, for in the very next instant she felt his fingers splay across the back of her silk gown, his arms encircling her waist as he pulled her toward him. Clearly he’d mistaken her silence for acquiescence.
Tiffany gasped aloud, her hands coming up to press against his chest, her initial reaction to free herself from his hold at once. Dear lord, he was going to kiss her. She could see it in his eyes. For a moment she struggled, but then, surprising both of them it seemed, her hands suddenly stilled. She’d never been kissed before. Her mind spun in a crazy whirl as she watched him bend his head slowly toward hers. Did she dare? She balked and started to recoil, but then the image of Alex leading Baroness Langdon from the dance floor suddenly skittered along the edge of her thoughts. Relaxing slightly in his arms, she threw caution to the wind and simply waited. It was only a kiss after all. What could it hurt? For she certainly wouldn’t allow it to go beyond that.
Exiting out onto the darkened terrace, Alex quickly scanned the seemingly empty space. Where the hell were they? He turned then, his eyes hurriedly searching the darkened shadows along the side of the house. He saw them then, his eyes widening in astonishment as he watched Dunning lean toward Tiffany, his intention clear. He wasn’t exactly sure what he felt at that moment, but whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t good. In fact, it was dammed unpleasant. With little thought to the consequence of his actions, he strode across the terrace and laid a heavy hand upon Fitzpatrick’s shoulder, spinning the young man around with a considerable amount of force. He might have found the lad’s shocked expression comical if he were in a better frame of mind. But unfortunately for the young viscount, he was anything but amused.
Tiffany was stunned. Thinking for one horrific moment that her father had followed her outside, she was both relieved and horrified as her gaze focused upon the surprisingly harsh countenance of Alexander Warrene instead. Good heavens, had the earl followed them outside, she wondered? Quickly she glanced about, fearful for a moment that he might not be alone. But much to her relief she didn’t see anyone else on the terrace.
“L-Lord C-Chesterfield, I-I…” Geoffrey stuttered, as he looked warily upon Alex’s outraged expression.
“Leave while you still can!” Alex commanded, his tone low and menacing.
Casting one brief, apologetic glance toward Tiffany, Geoffrey turned and fled as if his coat tails were on fire.
Tiffany watched Lord Dunning’s hasty retreat with a strange mixture of shock and irritation. Turning her gaze to Alex, she was astonished to see the depth of anger reflected upon the shadowed planes of his face. Goodness, he looked positively furious.
“What on earth were you thinking, young lady?” Alex demanded heatedly, eyeing her with his reproachful gaze. “Have you no sense at all?” Hell, didn’t she realize that if anyone else had seen them, her reputation would have been ruined?
No sense. Surprisingly, Tiffany felt her own temper begin to flare. What audacity he had, chastising her as if she were a recalcitrant child, especially considering his own scandalous behavior. “How dare you,” she refuted, her tone indignant. Thinking of Lucinda Langdon, she squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze head on. “Considering your rather iniquitous reputation, my lord, you are hardly one to cast aspersions,” she continued irately. “Besides, what business is it of yours how I choose to behave?”
He raised his brow in disbelief, momentarily taken aback by her impudence. Hmm, Lady Tiffany had a bit of a temper. He hadn’t expected that. “Don’t you mean misbehave?” he challenged a second later, looking upon her with narrowed eyes.
Tiffany’s jaw dropped, but she recovered herself quickly. “That’s a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it, my lord?”
Alex blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Considering your own behavior this evening, I hardly think that you have any right to cast judgment upon my conduct, or anyone else’s for that matter,” she replied stiffly.
“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?” Alex demanded.
Mindful of the sudden stiffening of his spine and the slight tightening of his jaw, Tiffany faltered. Why was she deliberately provoking him? There was no point to it. Besides, he was right, she silently acknowledged. She had acted foolishly and impulsively. “Nothing,” she finally mumbled under her breath, casting her gaze downward.
Alex eyed her curiously. “Tell me,” he ordered, though his tone no longer held the same biting edge.
Tiffany merely shook her head, staring at her feet. She shouldn’t have said anything, she thought, mentally kicking herself.
“Tell me.”
Oh why couldn’t she have just kept her mouth shut? She shook her head once again. Though his voice had softened, Tiffany kept her eyes glued to the marble floor.
Alex studied her for a moment, then reaching out he placed his index finger under her chin, gently tilting it upward. As their eyes met, he cocked one eyebrow questioningly.
Oh well, she may as well brazen it out. “Baroness Langdon,” Tiffany whispered, barely loud enough for him to hear.
Ah, it was all beginning to make sense now. Tiffany’s pained expression as he’d led Lucinda from the dance floor, then her dazzling smile for Geoffrey Fitzpatrick and her subsequent exodus to the darkened terrace with the simpering fop. If he wasn’t mistaken, Lady Tiffany was jealous.
“What about Baroness Langdon?” he asked quietly, pinning her with his steady gaze.
“I overheard someone talking,” she admitted softly. “About the two of you.”
“I see.” Damn the tattle mongers and their wagging tongues, he thought in irritation.
“Clearly it’s none of my affair,” she acknowledged, her tone contrite. Then, realizing what she’d just said, affair, she blushed furiously. Thank goodness it was dark. Maybe he wouldn’t notice.
Christ, he couldn’t believe they were having this conversation. He was about to tell her that she shouldn’t take stock in idle gossip, but then thought better of it. Considering the physical attraction that clearly existed between them, perhaps it was best that he dispel any romantic illusions she might be holding onto. “No, it isn’t,” he replied simply, releasing her chin. He watched as her face fell, feeling like an ass.
They stared at each other in silence for a moment, the melodic resonance of the orchestra the only sound aside from their quiet breathing.
“I should go,” Tiffany said softly, though she made no move to leave.
“Yes, you should.” He made no move to let her pass however, studying her face for a moment instead. “Were you really going to let him kiss you?” The ques
tion left his mouth seemingly without thought, surprising them both.
Tiffany hesitated, and then answered honestly. “Yes,” she whispered.
He frowned. “Why?”
She shrugged her shoulders the tiniest bit. “I was curious,” she stated softly. And because I’d just been confronted with the heartbreaking reality that the man I wanted to kiss me, likely never would, she added silently.
“Curious?” His eyes widened in disbelief.
“I’ve never been kissed before.”
“I should hope not,” Alex said. Though he didn’t intend them to, his words came out sounding more husky than stern. He cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“I’m not a child.”
His eyes strayed to the lush swell of her breasts, their creamy white tops exposed by the fashionable, yet daring cut of her bodice. No she certainly wasn’t. “Hmm,” he lifted his gaze back to hers. “Eighteen today and already so eager for your first kiss?” His tone held a touch of wry amusement.
She shrugged.
He harrumphed, shaking his head. “And you wanted him to be the one to give it to you?” Picturing Fitzpatrick, he couldn’t disguise his disdain.
Summoning her courage, she looked him directly in the eye. “No. Actually I didn’t.”
His breath caught. Damn, they were treading on dangerous ground all of a sudden. He needed to stop this, now, before it went any further. “Tiffany, I…” His words trailed off as she stared up at him, her eyes unblinking. Bloody hell! Why did she have to be so breathtakingly lovely? His eyes dropped to her lips, noting that they were parted ever so slightly. Don’t! His subconscious shouted the silent command. Foolishly, he ignored it.
As his last remaining thread of rationality fell by the wayside, Alex reached out and grasped Tiffany’s arms, drawing her slowly up against him. The contact was electrifying. Then, as he watched in fascination, the tip of Tiffany’s tongue emerged and moved slowly along her lower lip. Deliberate or not, it was an invitation he couldn’t resist; and in that moment he knew that there was no going back.
The first touch of Alex’s lips upon hers nearly sent Tiffany to her knees. It was soft and tender and absolutely wonderful. And then, as he gently began to apply more pressure, purposefully molding his lips to hers, she realized that nothing she had ever imagined compared to the amazing reality of his kiss. It was simply divine, and consequences be dammed, she wanted more. Moaning softly, her arms quivering at her sides, she wanted desperately to touch him.
Feeling Tiffany’s slight movements, Alex immediately assumed she was trying to free herself from his grasp and promptly released her arms. Had he mistaken her intent? Lifting his mouth he began to pull back, but she surprised him then, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer with a small, pleading whimper. No, he hadn’t been mistaken. She wanted him, just as much as he wanted her. The confirmation set his blood afire. His hands moved to her waist, drawing her even more tightly against him.
Tiffany nearly sobbed in relief as Alex’s lips once again melded with her own. The first touch of his lips had been gentle and coaxing, but now he plundered her mouth, ravaging the delicate softness of her pliant lips. She loved it. She felt his tongue glide across her lower lip then and shivered as a pleasurable sensation unfurled in her stomach. She parted her lips at his gentle prodding and suddenly the kiss took on a whole new dimension.
As his tongue swept the sweet, inner recess of her mouth, Alex half-expected her to shy away, but she didn’t. She uttered a breathy moan instead, her fingers splaying wide at the back of his neck, delving into the thick locks of hair that brushed against his shirt collar. It felt good, too good. Lord help him, he couldn’t seem to stop. Crushing her to him, his right hand moved gradually upward, his thumb moving in small circular motions as he leisurely made his way to the enticing swell of her lush breasts.
As Alex’s tongue swirled decadently within her mouth, Tiffany felt her legs turn to jelly beneath her. Oh it was heavenly. Lost to the astonishing and unexpected sensations rioting throughout her body, she was oblivious to everything but Alex’s intoxicating touch.
Alex, however, was slightly more attuned to their surroundings and absently noted the abrupt cessation of music coming from the ballroom. But ultimately it was the sound of voices that suddenly brought him hurtling back to his senses. With a muffled curse, he reached up and grabbed Tiffany’s arms from around his neck, pushing her backward he quickly set her away from him as he surveyed the surrounding area. Good lord, what the hell had he been thinking? Had he completely lost his mind, he wondered in sudden consternation?
Glancing back at Tiffany, he noted the somewhat dazed expression that lingered upon her face. Her beautiful blue eyes were unfocused and she seemed to sway slightly on her feet. Grasping her shoulders, he gave her a slight shake in an attempt to bring her back to her senses. Christ, if anyone saw them as they were now they would know exactly what they’d been doing. Giving her another quick shake, perhaps a bit more roughly than he’d intended, he was relieved to see awareness slowly reentering her eyes. “Someone’s coming,” he cautioned in a hushed whisper.
As the pleasant fog gradually faded from Tiffany’s mind, she realized that Alex was no longer holding her in a passionate embrace, but shaking her instead, and none too gently. Blinking rapidly, it took a moment for his words to register in her befuddled brain. But then she heard them, the voices, growing increasingly louder with each passing second. With a small gasp of dismay she took a step back, lifting her fingers to her mouth.
Pulling her from the shadows, Alex swiftly propelled Tiffany in the direction of the voices. Unfortunately, they would just have to brazen it out and hope for the best. “If you’re sure the dizziness has passed, I shall escort you back inside now, Lady Tiffany,” he said, raising his voice slightly.
Taking Alex’s queue, Tiffany responded, praying that her own voice sounded as steady as his. “Yes, I’m feeling much better now, Lord Chesterfield, thank you. I’m sure it was just the heat.”
A second later, he and Tiffany came face to face with Nicholas and Ashleigh Leighton. Alex immediately noted the surprised look in Ashleigh’s eyes and the sudden, speculative narrowing of Nick’s. Despite the grilling he was sure to receive from Nick later on, he breathed an inaudible sigh of relief, for a potential disaster had just been avoided. A quick glance at Tiffany confirmed that notion, for with a telltale blush staining her cheeks, she looked as if she’d just been caught doing exactly what they’d been doing. Alex silently thanked his lucky stars, for if they had been observed by anyone other than the Duke and Duchess of Sethe, it might well have been the beginning of a very juicy scandal.
Ignoring Nick’s knowing gaze, Alex deliberately kept his own expression blasé. “Ashleigh, Nick,” he began, nodding in greeting. “Lady Tiffany and I were just taking some air.”
“Yes, I’m afraid I was feeling a bit overheated,” Tiffany murmured.
Nicholas gave an ungentlemanly snort as his lips quirked into a knowing smile.
Overheated? Alex nearly groaned aloud at Tiffany's choice of words.
“But I’m feeling much better now,” she added quickly.
Nicholas opened his mouth as if to speak, but the only thing that came out was a muffled grunt as his wife purposefully elbowed him in the ribs.
Alex squeezed his eyes shut and drew in a deep, calming breath. When he opened them again he turned his gaze to Tiffany. “Lady Tiffany, would you mind if Ashleigh escorted you back inside?” he asked politely, releasing her elbow. “I’d like to have a brief word with Nick.”
“No, of course not,” she said with a subdued smile.
Stepping forward, Ashleigh quickly snaked her arm through Tiffany’s, her own smile overly bright. “Excuse us, gentlemen.”
Watching as Ashleigh and Tiffany turned to reenter the ballroom, Alex sighed, waiting for Nick to pounce.
As soon as the two women were out of earshot, he did. “I thought you weren’t interested,” Ni
cholas said, his tone clearly amused.
“It’s not what you think,” Alex muttered, rolling his eyes.
“Isn’t it?”
“No, it…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “Oh, bloody hell! I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink.”
As Ashleigh all but dragged Tiffany through the French doors and across the smooth parquet floor, she cleverly maneuvered them through the crowd, making it across the overflowing ballroom in record time. Once they reached the landing, Ashleigh immediately turned to the right and then pulled Tiffany in the direction of a door located a short distance down the hall. Once inside, she closed it firmly behind them and turned to Tiffany, her green eyes wide with curiosity and anticipation. “Tell me everything!”
“Honestly Ashleigh,” Tiffany began somewhat breathlessly, “you nearly wrenched my arm out of the socket.”
Ashleigh rolled her eyes, ignoring the admonishment. “Tiffany!”
“He… kissed me,” Tiffany admitted bashfully, feeling her cheeks grow warm.
“And?” she prompted.
“And it was… incredible.”
Turning from the liquor cabinet in his study, Nicholas walked over to where Alex was seated and held out one of the two glasses of brandy he’d just poured. “So, when’s the wedding?” he asked, as Alex reached for the glass.
“Very amusing,” Alex responded, before downing the fiery liquid in one continuous gulp.
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