He shrugged. “Perhaps.”
Diana gave her head a shake. “If that is, in fact, your real motive, I don’t need you to follow me about, Lord Exmouth. Continue with your life and leave me to mine.”
“I can’t.” His other hand came to her waist. Tingling heat spread through her at the touch. “I’ve made a promise and though I’m not as good a man as I’d like to be, I do keep my word.”
What did that mean? He wasn’t as good a man as he wanted to be? “I’m sure you do. I pride myself on needing no one’s help.”
He gave his head a shake. “Forgive me for stating the obvious but a lady doesn’t have much choice in the matter.”
“I have choices,” she answered, notching up her chin. Unlike many women, she had money of her own that her mother and father had set aside for her. Perhaps she’d travel the world or open a bookstore. It didn’t matter as long she wasn’t subverted to someone else’s will. “Enough of them, anyhow.”
“Do tell,” he answered. Darlington and Minnie had stopped just ahead and turned back to look at them.
“You’re falling behind,” Minnie called. “Shall we stay here and chat or should we walk a bit? I find I don’t wish to go back to the party just yet.”
“Let’s walk,” Exile answered.
Diana prickled, her spine snapping straighter. She didn’t need him to talk for her. “I think--” she started but suddenly she lurched to the side as he gave her a push. Exile then grabbed her waist and righted her but Minnie and Darlington had already begun walking. She stopped, stomping her slipper on the stone path. “You did that on purpose.”
“Guilty,” he answered. “We’re not done talking.”
“I say we are done,” she hissed back.
“Do you think you’ll marry?” he asked, ignoring her completely.
The man was thick. Not physically, well technically he was very well muscled, but at this moment she meant mentally. And why was he prodding like this? It was a raw subject for her. “It’s none of your business but I doubt it very much.” Why was he asking such a question?
His hand at her waist tightened and he drew her closer. “Ye…unmarried?”
Her breath caught as his heat began to seep in through her dress. She tsked, looking up at him. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know a few things,” he said, dropping his face closer to hers. “I know yer blood sings with passion. I can feel it even now.”
She opened her mouth to answer but no words came out. He was right, of course and her passionate nature had gotten her into a fair bit of trouble already. “You’re wrong.”
“I’m not.” His mouth dropped even closer to hers. “I can prove it too.”
“How?” Had she just asked that out loud? Why had she done that? But she already knew. She was attracted to him, the rapid beat of her heart affirmed that fact with every thump. And part of her, the very bad part, wanted what he was about to do.
By way of answer, he dropped his mouth to hers, his lips pressing hers closed. Fire and heat, and sweet stinging passion shot through her veins, making her gasp in delight. He lifted his mouth again but only for a moment before he kissed her again and then a third time, each building the tension in her body until she wanted to crush herself against that large chest.
What had she just done?
Want to read more? Earl of Exile
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Duke of Daring
Marquess of Malice
Earl of Exile
Viscount of Vice
Baron of Bad
Earl of Sin
About the Author
Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of eighteen, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.
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Marquess of Malice: Lords of Scandal Book 2 Page 13