TemptedByHisKiss (12 page)

Yet despite his outward displays of devotion and protectiveness, he’d made no further amorous overtures toward her since that day at Madame Morelle’s. He continued to “put on a show,” as he’d called it, holding her hand or brushing a light kiss over her cheek as though he were a besotted bridegroom-to-be. But on the few occasions when they were alone together, he withdrew, treating her with pleasant friendliness and a scrupulous politeness that made her long for something more—no matter how foolish it might seem.

Luckily, the Season was here and she would be able to begin searching for a husband in earnest. She only hoped she was fortunate enough to meet a gentleman she truly liked and wished to marry. Cade had made
his feelings quite clear on that subject, and she would abide by her promise. Over the next twelve weeks, she vowed, she would find another man to wed and set him free.

After all, that is what I want. Is it not?

Now, with a few murmured words, the dowager moved away to join one of her friends on the far side of the room. Edward excused himself to do the same, leaving Meg and Mallory with Cade.

“Oh, look, there is Jack!” Mallory said as they moved deeper into the room. “Jack!” she called, lifting a hand to give her brother a wave.

From across the room he nodded his acknowledgment, his eyes twinkling with good-natured humor at his exuberant younger sister. Turning away, he spoke to a pair of gentlemen with whom he was quite obviously acquainted, and moments later the trio made their way forward.

“How do you do this evening?” Jack greeted, after the requisite bows and curtsies were exchanged. “Though in your case, imp,” he said to Mallory, “I don’t believe I need ask. You look fair to bursting with excitement.”

“If you don’t mind my saying so, Byron, the lady looks exquisite,” remarked one of his friends. “Both ladies. I do hope you will introduce us.”

Jack quirked a brow. “As you will. Niall Faversham, meet my sister, Lady Mallory. And the lady beside her is Miss Margaret Amberley. Cade, I believe, you know already, though perhaps not the fact that he and Miss Amberley are recently engaged.”

“Ah, so
you
are the one stirring up all the talk,” Faversham said with a tip of his blond head. “Having now made your acquaintance, I can see why Lord Cade
decided to sweep you off your feet. Had I met you earlier, I might have done the same.”

Meg laughed. “My thanks, Mr. Faversham…I think.”

“And this other gentleman is Lord Gresham,” Jack continued. “Gresham is an old school chum of mine and is acquainted with all my siblings. Adam, Miss Amberley.”

“A pleasure,” he said in a deep, rumbling voice. Taking her hand, he made an elegant bow.

“Mine as well,” Meg said. “And how are you finding the ball this evening, my lord?”

“I feared it had all the makings of a bore,” Gresham replied, “but I have to confess it has improved rather dramatically in the past few minutes, now that I have happened upon such clearly delightful company.”

He flashed her a roguish grin, his teeth white against his swarthy complexion and head of thick black hair. An undeniably handsome man, she noted. He was tall—taller even than Cade and Jack, who towered well above most of the men in the room.

Like Jack Byron and Mr. Faversham—who possessed a decidedly pleasant countenance in his own right—Lord Gresham must cut quite a swath through the female population, she mused. Yet in spite of the fact that each gentleman had much to recommend him in the way of charm and attractiveness, her heart remained untouched, her pulse continuing to beat at its usual stolid, steady pace.

All that changed a few seconds later when Cade unexpectedly laid his palm against the nape of her neck. The warm strength of his masculine fingers seemed to sear her exposed skin, his touch roaming in an idle, tan
talizing glide that made her mouth go dry. Her heart gave a frantic hop, racing wildly as a shudder chased across her flesh. She blinked and prayed no one else had noticed her reaction.

Striving for calm, she tried to ease away, but Cade held her in place, his fingers tightening ever so subtly. Using the fleshy edge of his thumb, he traced an invisible line along the back of her neck up to her hairline, then down again, pausing for a few seconds before repeating the brazen process over again.

Merciful heaven, what does he think he’s doing?
She wished she could sigh aloud at the enthralling pleasure.

If she didn’t know better, she might have imagined he was staking some kind of claim upon her, silently letting the other men know that she was taken. But since he couldn’t possibly have such an idea in mind, she supposed he was playacting again, his touch no more than another quiet display of the supposed affection the two of them were pretending to share.

Harsh emotions smoldered like fire within her, making her want to wrench herself free of him. But with everyone looking on, such a response was clearly impossible. Still, it did not mean she was completely without options.

Angling her head slightly, she gave a tiny shrug only he would notice, hoping he might take the hint and remove his wandering fingers. Instead, he skimmed his thumb upward again, then paused to swirl it in a little circle at the base of her skull. She shivered, gooseflesh popping out over her skin.

Suddenly she’d had enough.

“Mr. Faversham,” she said, striving for what she hoped was a normal tone of voice. “Do you like to dance?”

His face brightened. “Indeed, I do. In fact, if my eyes don’t deceive me, I believe there is a set about to begin.”

“I think you are correct. Perhaps you and Lady Mallory might enjoy taking a turn together?”

Faversham’s expression brightened even more. “Most assuredly. If the lady is so inclined? Lady Mallory, will you do me the honor?”

Mallory sent Meg a sideways glance, her gaze alive with a combination of surprise and pleased anticipation. “Thank you. That would be lovely.” With a smile, she took the arm he held out and the two of them hurried away toward the dance floor.

“And what of you, Miss Amberley?” Lord Gresham inquired. “Do you enjoy dancing?”

“Very much. However, Lord Cade is not so disposed. His war injury, you understand.”

Cade’s roving thumb stopped, his body stiffening at her back.

“I plan to sit with him on the sidelines and watch the festivities,” she explained. “Or perhaps play cards, should a likely game form.”

“Lord, love, you make me sound as if I’m in my dotage,” Cade remarked in a seemingly lighthearted tone as his hand slid across to her shoulder. His fingers tightened in a brief squeeze that let her know he was aware of her ploy. “I may not be able to take to the floor,” he continued, “but that does not mean you need be so deprived. If you wish to dance, my dear Meg, then I have no objection.”

She turned, his hand falling away. “If you are certain, darling?”

His jaw tensed, an irritation in his gaze she assumed must come from his defeat in their silent tug-of-war.
“Quite certain. Dance with as many men as you like. I assure you, I won’t mind.”

Lord Gresham cast an interested glance between them, a suppressed twinkle in his warm brown eyes. “If that is the case, then you can start with me, Miss Amberley. Take pity and say you will grant me the pleasure of a dance?”

Meg smiled, then let out a little laugh. “Somehow, I do not think you are the sort who ever lacks for partners, my lord, but I shall be delighted to oblige and stand up with you nevertheless.” Stepping forward, she accepted his arm. “Cade…Jack…behave yourselves while I am gone. I shall be just across the room if you have need of me.”

Cade glowered, while Jack grinned and shook his head at her antics.

A measure of her fiery determination faded as she and Lord Gresham took their places for the start of the dance. A large number of other couples were lined up as well, including Mallory and Mr. Faversham, who stood several feet away, deep in conversation.

“Not that I am by any means complaining of your company,” Gresham said. “But I would warn you to be careful about teasing that particular tiger.”

“Oh, and what tiger might that be?”

“Cade. He’s quite besotted with you. I can see why he rushed you into an engagement. I am only surprised you aren’t already his wife.”

And never will be, she thought. If only he realized the truth, he would surely be astonished.

“Well, we may have rushed at the start, but we’re taking our time now,” she said, striving to sound natural. “Cade wants to give me a Season.”

“Does he? Again, I must count myself surprised. I’ve known him a long time and have never seen him so possessive of a woman. His patience is a testament to his devotion.”

Or rather, his disregard,
she corrected silently, her gaze dropping to her shoes. If Cade seemed possessive, it was only further proof of his acting abilities.
Unless he is hoping to tempt other men with the notion that I am a prize worth stealing away.
A prize, she knew, Cade did not want to keep himself.

To her relief, a flourish of notes rang out, signaling the start of the set. Pinning a smile on her lips, she raised her head, took Lord Gresham’s hand, and began to dance.

Watching from a far corner of the room, Cade curled his palm over the top of his cane and gave it a vicious squeeze. Luckily, the head was made of solid gold, otherwise he would probably have crushed it. A slash of pain in his hand forced him to relax his grip, his gaze continuing to track Meg’s movements as she laughed and cavorted on the dance floor with Adam Gresham.

He took some consolation from the fact that Gresham would not take advantage of her. At least, he assumed he wouldn’t, for in spite of Gresham’s friendship with the family, he was a wild sort, given to all kinds of ungoverned excesses and worldly vices. Women flocked to him in droves, particularly the married ones who were unhappy in their unions and looking for a means to end their loneliness and appease the sexual desires that weren’t being satisfied in their own beds at home.

Innocent girls tossed their caps at him as well, when their mamas weren’t looking. And although Gresham generally stepped clear of their lures, he wasn’t above a bit of dalliance every now and then. Pleasure in all its forms was always at the top of his must-do list.

Yet he wasn’t without honor, and Cade knew he would never poach on another man’s territory. If he learned Meg was available, however…But no, when and if Gresham ever married, he would need an heiress to repair his depleted fortunes, so Meg was safe from him.

He knew that other men would want her, though. Men who wouldn’t mind taking an unexceptional dowry in exchange for her extraordinary beauty and charm. Men with whom she would be dancing and flirting, he thought, his hand tightening again on his cane. Men she would be encouraging with her engaging smile and bewitching blue eyes. Men with whom she might be sneaking off to cajole and kiss.

But was that not what he wanted? What he and Meg had agreed she would do? Of course it was.
I just want to be sure she is protected
, he told himself. To know she has found a man worthy of her trust and affection, who will love her as she deserves to be loved. Which is why he needed to keep her in his sights and make certain she didn’t fall prey to unscrupulous scoundrels and rogues.

The set concluded and Gresham offered his arm to escort her from the floor. They had gone no more than ten feet when a rather dandified pair of gentlemen approached, their gestures making it clear they were importuning Gresham for an introduction. Cade watched as Meg smiled and made some remark that drew laughs
all around. Moments later the group grew larger still as two more young men came over. Bows and curtsies were exchanged.

A few choice words and he could send them all scurrying, he thought, smiling at the idea of pouncing like a cat into a flock of pigeons. He took a few steps to do just that, then stopped, reminding himself once again that Meg needed to meet eligible suitors if their plan was to succeed.

Thrusting the tip of his cane against the polished floor with a hard tap, he turned and went in search of a drink. The night was going to be a long one indeed.

Nearly three hours later Meg excused herself from the dancing to escape down a long, crowded hallway and into the relative peace of the ladies’ withdrawing room.

A pair of women stood inside, conversing quietly as they tidied their hair and rinsed their hands in the porcelain washbasins provided for the guests’ use. Meg glided past to a curtained area arranged to one side where she could take care of her more personal needs. As she moved behind a small screen, she heard the other women depart, leaving the room blessedly quiet.

She paused, taking a moment to savor the sensation of being alone after the constant press of bodies and noise in the ballroom and corridors beyond. Not that she wasn’t enjoying the festivities. The dancing was lively and fun, and she had suffered no lack of available partners—standing up for nearly every set so far.

Yet even as she danced and chatted with one gentleman after another, she found herself viscerally aware of Cade. During the interval between sets, he would often come to “check” on her, staying to make sure she had
everything she required. Twice he brought her a refreshment—a glass of cool lemonade or punch to ease the dryness from her throat. The remainder of the time he sat in a chair along the ballroom’s periphery.

True, he didn’t spend every moment watching her—sometimes she would glance over to discover him in conversation with another guest. But far more often he was alone, his deep, forest green gaze trained upon her.

When she had suggested he go to the card room, or find a group of gentlemen with whom he could talk, he refused. Leaning close, he’d whispered in her ear that their affection for one another would hardly look convincing if he abandoned her entirely.

So, at his urging, she had continued to dance. Yet in spite of her best attempts to relax, she could not, her body simmering with the constant knowledge that he sat only a few feet away. But not even Cade could follow her here to the ladies’ withdrawing room—although if she tarried too long, she supposed he could send Mallory or the dowager to find her. With that in mind, she went about the business of answering nature’s demand.