“And you, my lord, make a dashing figure in your tan coat with your dark brown overcoat.” Lydia ran her hand along Cole’s sleeve. “And what a muscular arm you have. You surely must send all the girls to swooning.”
“All right, you two bothersome people, enough,” Paxton exclaimed, looking at Eve to explain. “They enjoy driving me mad with their flowery compliments to each other.”
Eve laughed at the look of frustration on his face.
“So, my sweet sister, have you been staying away from the cards like I asked?”
Lydia smiled pleasantly. “Don’t I always do what you say, dear brother?”
“How much have you lost?” Paxton asked.
“It is my allowance, is it not?” Lydia huffed as if feeling her independence slipping away, which he knew she hated. She didn’t wait for his response before she said, “That being the case, I feel it is no concern of yours how much I won or lost. And I don’t appreciate the assumption that I lost. I’ll have you know that I am a splendid card player, and of late, some people have even begun to call me Lucky Lady. So you can take your negative demeanor elsewhere,” Lydia harrumphed.
“Well said.” Cole laughed. He seemed to find amusement in their family squabbles.
Paxton shot him a warning look. “Don’t encourage her.”
***
As Eve also watched the exchange in amusement, out of the corner of her eye she saw the man dressed all in black who had been casting leering looks at Lydia from across the card table walk up behind Lydia. Eve watched in silent amazement as the man sauntered boldly forward and, in front of Paxton and Cole, pushed a few stray tendrils away from Lydia’s sleek neck and whispered in her ear loud enough for all of them to hear.
“Please tell me you have not given up, Lucky Lady?” The man practically purred, and then he kissed Lydia’s neck before boldly sauntering out of the room.
“Who the hell is that?” Cole asked, watching the large man’s retreating form.
“I don’t care who he is, just that he won’t be living much longer.” Paxton’s fists were clenched white as he seethed with anger. “You have some explaining to do, little sister. That man blatantly issued me a challenge by his daring actions toward your person. I intend to see him receive his due.”
“Do you really think challenging him is necessary?” Eve stepped in his way to keep him from following Lydia’s bold admirer. She nonchalantly kicked at Lydia’s skirts, giving her a you-better-do-something plea.
Lydia was obviously still reeling from the intimate caress. She finally snapped out of her dreamy state when Eve kicked at her. “Oh no, Pax. You mustn’t!”
“You better have a better reason than that,” Cole told her.
“Surely he meant no harm. He’s…” Lydia hesitated, most likely because there wasn’t any plausible excuse for such behavior. But Eve could tell that the last thing Lydia wanted was her brother dueling with the handsome card player. “He is a friend. I’m sure his gesture was in jest. I mean, think about it logically. What man in his right mind would ever do such a thing, especially in front of my strong, temperamental brother?”
“I’m not temperamental, and if he is a friend, he should know better. Friends do not intimately kiss their friends.” He briefly looked down at Eve. “And that man, friend or not, doesn’t seem to care about your reputation, and that alone is enough for me to beat him senseless. What is his name, Lydia?”
“I’m…um…not sure,” she answered sheepishly.
Paxton started to leave again to go after the man only to find Lydia grabbing his coat sleeve and Eve plastered against his chest.
Cole moved forward. “Looks like the ladies don’t wish for you to hurt the fellow. Perhaps can I be of some assistance?”
“Do be quiet, Cole!” Lydia demanded, turning back to her brother. “If you love me, you will let this matter go. If you don’t stop, you will bring unwanted attention upon us. I will never speak to you again if you hurt him.”
Paxton swore.
“My lord, please lower your voice,” Eve pleaded, knowing her mother would surely never allow her in the earl’s company again if he caused a scandalous scene.
Cole seemed moved that Lydia was close to tears and interceded on her behalf. “Paxton, perhaps the ladies are right. It seems no one noticed what happened. If you go after him and start a brawl, it will be on everyone’s lips come tomorrow. I know you don’t wish to bring unwanted attention to your sister, yourself, or Lady Evelyn. How will Lydia find a husband with a scandal connected to her name? I don’t think men will come courting Lydia if they fear her brother.” Eve believed Cole was overdramatizing the situation, but she applauded his effort. “Besides, the man already left.”
Paxton knew, as they all knew, that Cole was right. They didn’t need any extra attention. “Under one condition.” He glared down at his sister, removing his arm from her grasp.
“Anything,” Lydia agreed.
“You will tell your friend, if I ever see or even hear about him acting in any way but a gentlemanly manner toward you, I will not be held accountable for my actions.” He looked into her tear-filled eyes. “Is this understood?”
“Yes, yes, of course.” She breathed a sigh of relief.
Both Cole and Paxton turned their attention to Eve, who still clung to his waist.
“For someone who is concerned about appearances, I’m surprised to see you don’t consider holding me in a constricting hug as a head turner, Lady Evelyn.” He smiled at her obvious embarrassment. “Not that I mind.”
Eve immediately released him and backed up. She was exceedingly grateful for the potted plant that blocked them from onlookers. Holding on to his waist, indeed what is the matter with me?
“I think we have had enough excitement for one evening. Shall we say our good-byes to Rebecca?”
“You do remember I planned to stay here for a few weeks?” Lydia asked, clearly knowing he forgot. “Rebecca and I are going to redecorate some rooms, which entails shopping every day.”
“I remember now. I didn’t realize you brought luggage.” Paxton sounded saddened, and Eve thought it adorable that he was going to miss his sister.
“What’s wrong? Are you going to miss me?” Lydia asked. “You can visit, and I promise to visit you as well. It’s only for a few weeks.”
“I’m wondering whose going to keep an eye on you?”
“Our cousin, of course, and there is the duke.”
“True. Do you promise to behave yourself?”
“Don’t I always?” she teased as they approached the duchess.
“I’m so glad Lydia is going to stay here for a while. It will be nice to have another female around. I can use all the input I can gather on the decorating. I’m afraid my husband doesn’t really care either way. He’d let me decorate in animal skins if I desired.”
“A great quality in a husband,” replied Lydia. “It must be nice that he allows you so much freedom and independence. Many men wouldn’t. I hope and pray my husband’s as carefree and understanding.”
Paxton rolled his eyes, Cole hid his smile, and Eve nodded in agreement with Lydia.
“It was a pleasure to see you again, Lady Evelyn. I do hope you enjoyed yourself.” Rebecca smiled.
“I did indeed, Your Grace. You have the most amazing garden. The many different flowers are beautiful and impressive,” Eve stated enthusiastically, then frowned when she saw Paxton wink at the duchess.
Cole laughed and bowed, kissing the duchess’s white-gloved hand.
As Paxton ensconced Eve in her wrap, she questioned him about their farewells. “Why did your cousin act odd when I complimented her garden, and why in God’s name did you wink about it?”
Paxton’s grin widened. “I believe she was surprised to hear you were in her garden.”
&nb
sp; Eve’s face turned bright red. “You mean to say… I mean, she thinks…that I…that we…” She fell silent for a moment. “Why didn’t you correct her assumption? Oh blast you. You’re a beast!”
“Blast me?” Paxton laughed loudly as he escorted her down the stone steps. “I wasn’t the one who shared that piece of information with her.”
It was at that moment Eve realized they would be alone on the carriage ride home.
***
Evelyn and Paxton remained quiet as the carriage moved over the cobblestoned street. “What are you thinking about?” Eve finally asked, although from the look on his face, she assumed he was thinking of the villainous stranger who kissed his sister.
“I’m thinking about how I let you and my sister sway me from beating her attacker senseless,” he growled, pulling the velvet curtain closed across the window.
Eve rolled her eyes. “For heaven sakes, he didn’t actually attack her. I think you are overreacting to a little kiss. Besides, women like handsome men who dare to be openly bold unto suicidal about their wants. It is obvious to me that he wishes to acquire your sister.”
“Acquire?” He smiled. “You better not let my sister hear you say that or, daringly handsome or not, Lydia will toss him into the Thames.”
Eve nodded in agreement. “She does try to cling to what little independence she can.”
“It’s because of that blasted equal rights advocate Wollstonecraft. She has my sister thinking women are mistreated.”
“I’ll have you know Wollstonecraft does make some valid arguments.”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “Is there any woman in my life who hasn’t read her books?”
“I have to admit I haven’t read much of her work. I tend to stick to books on botany, but I agree that women have the right to be not only educated but taught the same subjects as men. Men are under the misconception that a woman’s brain is too vacuous to comprehend much. I think there are many things women can comprehend better than men.”
***
Paxton watched as color rose into Eve’s face as she defended her sex. He sat transfixed as her supple lips formed her words. Women. They are amazing creatures. The urge to kiss her pulled at him. “And what, pray tell, can women do better than men?” He was sure there were scores of things women did better than men, but he thought this a brilliant conversation.
“Take fashion, for instance. Women are much better at coordinating outfits with accessories.”
“I agree that many men do not care much of their dress and leave the expertise to their valets. Although, I’m sure Beau Brummell and his cohorts would firmly disagree with you. But, you must admit that men are good at planning, let us say, strategies of war, a far more important skill.”
“True, but you have to admit that women have never been trained in that area. I’m sure that, if we were, you would find we are just as clever as the men.”
Paxton shrugged his shoulders. He agreed that women weren’t taught, or indeed usually even told many details, about war, and he knew from the women in his life that they were definitely clever. “Perhaps.” He stared at her lips as her tongue slid out to moisten them.
“Men are better at kissing than women.” He knew his statement was absurd, but he didn’t care. He was alone with her in a carriage and all he could think about was kissing her sweet lips.
She seemed surprised when the conversation changed to the physical. “You are jesting, of course?”
“No.”
“But a woman’s touch is softer, more enticing.”
He moved uncomfortably in his seat. “Why don’t you show me an example of a woman’s kiss and then I’ll show you mine.”
***
Eve knew he was challenging her to a game they both wanted to play. She smiled playfully, and he held out his arm in invitation. She ducked under it and moved closer to him. The scent of shaving soap and bourbon lingered between them. Gently cupping his face, she tenderly placed her lips upon his. She combed her fingers through his hair while pulling his lips down harder upon hers. A shiver of excitement shot down her body and she leaned into him, craving the feel of his hard muscled chest against hers. He tasted good, smelled good, and felt so good that she wanted to continue kissing him forever. Placing her hand on his muscular thigh, she gave it a squeeze and raked her nails down the length of the muscle before she finally backed away, knowing he had enjoyed every moment of her woman’s kiss. “Well?”
***
Paxton tried not to wrap his arms around the alluring lady against him. After all, this was still a contest he planned to win. He felt his erection go hard from the passionate and emotional kiss, and he was slightly relieved when she backed away so he could gather his passions back under control. “Not ghastly.” He tried to act as if the kiss hadn’t affected him, although her smile told him that she was aware it had.
Before she could argue with his comment, which he knew she would, he ran his hands up through the back of her fiery hair, spilling her pinned curls down her back in a glorious red river. Without hesitation, he angled his head and pulled her to his kiss. At first, he kissed her gently. Light, coaxing kisses teased and enticed, and then, sliding his tongue along her lips, he tugged at her bottom lip with his teeth. When her mouth opened, he gently invaded the warm recess of her mouth, delving and tasting. His left arm circled around her back and he pulled her closer as he tilted his head to the side, his right hand slowly caressing her partly exposed shoulder, feeling its way down to her low cut bodice where he was tempted to free a breast from its constraints, but he didn’t dare. Instead he ran his hands on the outside of her gown, cupping her breast and running his thumb over her hardened nipple as he softly manipulated the peak. Reason was quickly fleeing.
***
Eve pressed herself as close to him as she possibly could in a moving vehicle. She was intoxicated by his touch. This was what she sought, pleasure from the man she loved. Loved. She hadn’t known how strong her feelings for Paxton were until this very moment, feelings she had tried desperately to ignore. However, at this very minute, she knew she could no longer deny what she felt. Her tongue mated with his as they each explored the other’s body. Eve ran her hands over his chest, feeling the power of his muscles as they shifted with his machinations. She was so caught up in these new sensations and the heat of unspent passion that she moaned aloud, forgetting where they were until the carriage slowed and the driver yelled out, commanding the grays to stop.
Paxton immediately broke away, trying to help Eve straighten her dress. With shaky hands, Eve tried to collect the scattered pins from the floor to fix her hair. She could tell by the look on his face that he felt contrite. Neither of them had meant for the kiss to escalate as it had. They seemed to lose their rein on passion and all sense of decorum when they were together.
She knew he was going to apologize for his behavior as he cocked his head sideways, and then, obviously thinking better of it, he didn’t speak. Instead, he took the pins from her trembling fingers. “It’s all right.” He was trying to soothe her frayed nerves while pinning her hair back into place, most likely vowing to himself to keep his distance from her from now on. Drat!
“I… I guess you think you won?” She tried not to sound unnerved as she prayed for her heart to stop racing. With her hair finally brought back to some kind of order, she looked at him. She could see regret on his face and it took all her strength not to burst into tears. He still didn’t wish to marry her.
He smiled gently, which only made her feel worse. “No, love. I think we both have just realized that we lost.” Paxton opened the door and the footman helped Eve down.
Feeling downhearted, she walked away. Blast him. And blast me for loving him. She heard the carriage leaving and refused to turn around. Instead, she went into the house and put on a fake smile for her parents who were wait
ing up for her. She purposely began to take down her hair as she entered. After telling them she had a wonderful time, she fled to her room, unable to stop the few tears that escaped on her way up the stairs.
***
“Where to, sir?” the driver called down as the coach sped away from the Stonehaven residence.
“Saint James Street!” Paxton hollered, knowing the driver would know he was heading to his club. He felt like the biggest wretch. He should never have instigated such a challenge to Eve when he knew how she felt toward him. His encouragement only hurt her. “Hell and damnation! What has the woman done to me?” He muttered as he leaned his head back against the plush seat. Her scent still clung to the air. No matter how much he wanted to, he was no longer going to see Lady Evelyn Manning. He told himself the sacrifice was for her sake, but something told him it was also due to the solid wall he erected around his heart years ago when it came to women.
He seldom went to White’s, although he’d been a member for years. He often found the atmosphere filled with gossip seekers. Men, he discovered, could be worse than women when it came to gossip. A few minutes later the coach came to a stop and he stepped to the cobblestones and entered the establishment. Making his way through the main room, he went to a somewhat secluded table along the back wall, acknowledging various acquaintances with a nod of his head. He was surprised when the waiter brought him a snifter of bourbon without him having ordered. “Thanks.”
“Mind if I join you?” Cole walked over from God-knows-where and sat across from him.
“I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”
Cole gave him a crooked smile. “I had a hunch you’d show up.”
Paxton downed his drink with a large gulp. “Please tell me you didn’t wager on my appearance in the betting book.”
The betting book, dating back to 1763 when White’s was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original all-male establishment, was famous at the club. The book held wages on every matter possible, from who would beget an heir first to who would lose his fortune at the turn of a card.
The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series) Page 12