bubbling over with the excitement of the
entire affair. Her main concern now was
for her companion.
Lucas had uttered barely a word since he
had helped her up from the pavement and
tossed her into a carriage. She could feel
the angry tension in him. He was absently
rubbing his leg and she wondered if he had
hurt it rescuing her.
You were very quick, Lucas. I vow I
would have been run down if you had not
moved so fast."
Nothing.
Does your leg pain you very much?"
I'll survive."
Victoria sighed.
It is all my fault, isn't
it? If I had not insisted on going to that
gaming hell tonight, you would not have
hurt your leg."
That is certainly one way of looking at
the incident," Lucas said.
I'm so sorry, Lucas."
Sorry?"
Well, not about going to the Green Pig,
precisely," she admitted candidly.
For I
did have a marvelous time. But I am
terribly sorry you got hurt." Impulsively she
slipped across the short distance between
them and sat down next to him.
Here, let
me massage it for you. I am quite good
with horses, you know."
Is that a recommendation?"
She smiled, relieved to hear the unwilling
humor in the question.
Of course. One
needs to learn how to soothe a spirited
animal after a bruising ride."
You're the one who probably got
bruised. You were on the bottom. You
are certain you're not hurt?"
Oh, I am quite all right. One of the
useful things about men's clothing is that
it provides much more protection for the
body than an evening gown. If only you
had not twisted your leg when you threw
yourself toward me the way you did."
As she talked she put her hands on
his thigh and probed experimentally. She
was instantly aware of the strong sinew
and muscle under her fingers. The snug
fitting breeches hid nothing of his natural
contours. It was almost like touching his
bare skin, she thought as she cautiously
began to knead his leg.
Lucas made no move to stop her. He
simply sat there looking down at her as
she worked over him. Victoria concentrated
fiercely, anxious to bring him some relief
from his obvious discomfort.
There was very little give in him, she
thought, squeezing the solid muscle. Hard
as stone.
I really do appreciate what you did for
Ferdie Merivale." Victoria found herself
speaking quickly in an effort to fill what
seemed to her a highly charged silence.
Her fingers dug deeper into his thigh.
I'm glad you do because I doubt that
Merivale does." Lucas sucked in his breath.
Easy, if you please, Vicky. That is my
injured leg, you know."
Oh, yes, of course." She lightened her
touch, glancing up to see his expression.
Is that better?"
Much better." He was silent for a
moment longer and then he said,
You do
have excellent hands. I envy your horses."
This time when she looked up into his
shadowed face, she realized he was smiling
slightly, a piercingly sensual smile that sent
a rush of heated awareness through her.
She could feel the tension in his leg
changing in some indefinable fashion and
she found herself running her palm along
the inside of his thigh.
He lifted a hand and drew his slightly
rough fingertip slowly down the line of her
throat to the nape of her neck. Victoria
held her breath, sensing he was going
to kiss her. She'd learned to recognize
that glittering gaze. She'd seen it on the
occasions when she'd stood with him in her
aunt's garden after an evening's escapade.
The anticipation alone was enough to set
fire to her senses.
Lucas?"
Tell me, Vicky, do you like my good
night kisses?"
I
." The words seemed to get caught in
her throat.
Yes. Yes, I do."
One of the things I like about you, my
dear, is that you can be so delightfully
honest at the most interesting times." He
threaded his fingers through her hair and
then his hand tightened on the back of
her head, urging her close.
I wonder if
you have any idea of how it affects me."
She went to him willingly, tumbling
across his lap as the coach swayed and
jounced. With a soft little sigh of pleasure
she wrapped her arms around his neck and
lifted her face for his kiss. There was no
doubt about it, she thought, her appetite
for this sort of thing had been well and
truly whetted by those previous kisses in
the garden.
Lucas's mouth came down on hers, his
tongue sliding along the edge of her lower
lip, seeking admittance.
Eager now for the heat and excitement
she always found in his good-night em
braces, Victoria nestled closer. His arms
were strong and hard around her, and
when his hand moved to the buttons of her
waistcoat, she made no move to resist.
All the pent-up excitement of the evening
was flowing through her and this was the
most thrilling moment of all. Victoria
barely felt her cravat being loosened, but
when his fingertips glided down her throat,
she tightened her arms around his neck.
Lucas laughed softly against her mouth
as his fingers went lower to part her
waistcoat and shirt.
There is something
rather strange about unfastening men's
clothes on you, sweetheart."
Victoria could not respond because he
was suddenly cupping her bare breast in
his hand. She gasped instead and went
taut. Then, instead of protesting, as she
knew she ought, Victoria turned her hot
face into his shoulder and clutched him
tightly.
Do you like the feel of my hand on
you, Vicky?"
She nodded jerkily.
Yes." She could feel
her nipple tighten under the touch of his
thumb.
So honest. Can you feel what you're
doing to me?"
She could. He was growing hard beneath
her buttocks. His thighs parted slightly,
making her even more aware of the solid
shape of his manhood beneath the tight
breeches.
Lucas, your poor leg."
I assure you it is not paining me in the
least right now.
We must stop."
Do you really want me to stop touching
you?" Lucas whispered.
Please don't ask me such a question."
Breathlessly she dug her fingers into the
muscles of his shoulders and strained
against his hand. She was growing hotter
and she could feel a warm dampness
between her legs.
As if he, too, knew about the moist
heat between her thighs, Lucas moved
his hands down to the fastenings of her
breeches. Victoria completely lost her voice
just when she knew she should be raising
it to its loudest level in a fierce demand
for him to halt. Instead she was suddenly
fascinated with the masculine scent of his
body and the sensual tension in him. Her
fingers clenched and unclenched on his
shoulders.
You are damp and ready for me,
aren't you?" Lucas slid his hand inside
the open breeches and found her secret
warmth.
Your body is already preparing
its welcome.
Lucas."
Do not be embarrassed, my sweet. I am
glad to know you want me as much as I
want you. When the time comes, we are
going to deal very well with each other."
Dazed, she managed to lift her head long
enough to look up at him.
When the time
comes?"
Not tonight. I would much prefer a bed
instead of a carriage seat for our first time
together. And I want all the time in the
world, not the few minutes we have left
before we reach your home."
Lucas, we must stop. We must." He
had never touched her like this and she
did not know how to handle her own
emotions. A delicious sense of eagerness
was gripping her.
Are you sure you want to stop, little
one? You feel so good, darling." His mouth
was on hers again and then on her throat
as his fingers slipped lower, parting soft
petals to seek out the tiny bud of desire.
So damned good. And you want me. Say
it, Vicky. Give me the words at least."
Victoria sucked in her breath as the
wondrous sensations made her tremble in
need. She wanted to tell him again that
he must cease touching her so intimately,
but she knew she could not. Not yet, at
any rate. She wanted more of this exotic
feeling and she sensed that only Lucas
could provide her with what she desired.
The words, sweetheart. Is that so much
to ask?" His voice was gentle, coaxing,
intimate.
All I'm asking is for you to
tell me what you are feeling. Does this
feel good?"
Yes, oh, Lucas, yes." She squeezed her
eyes shut so she would not have to meet
the gleaming satisfaction she knew she
would find in his intent gaze. She twisted
helplessly against his probing hand.
Keep talking to me, sweetheart. Keep
telling me how you feel when I touch you
like this." He slid one finger gently into her
warmth.
She cried out and muffled the sound
against the fabric of his jacket.
And this
."
She flinched and suddenly she could not
get enough of his long, sensitive fingers.
She lifted her hips, silently pleading for
more but not knowing what it was she