To Refuse a Rake (8 page)

“Even when my sister is stubborn, remember that that same streak can be used in good ways. A stubborn person might be reluctant to love, but once they do they will never let go.” She nodded once, then turned and walked away.

As the evening drew to a close, Hudson’s heart sped up with the realization that soon he’d collect his prize. He scanned the crowd for Emma, hoping she hadn’t bowed out and disappeared. After searching for a few minutes, he found her in a far corner speaking with Lady Hewett. He strode toward her, waiting for her to notice him.

As he drew nearer she glanced toward him, and he saw her eyes widen. Lady Hewett paused and turned as well.

“Hello, ladies.” He bowed.

“Lord Daventry.” They acknowledged in unison.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I must speak with Miss Kingsly. Would you accompany me?” He offered his arm to Emma.

She glanced from Lady Hewett to him, then visibly swallowed and accepted his offered arm.

“Excuse me, Lady Hewett.” She nodded graciously and then tilted her chin up, as if facing her unfortunate future with bravery.

“You are not facing your execution, Miss Kingsly,” Hudson whispered as he led her down the hall and toward a vacant balcony.

“Says the executioner,” Emma shot back.

They entered the open balcony. Hudson walked to the edge and glanced down at the garden below.

“Come now. You must know that I would have adhered to my word.” He clicked his tongue and released her arm as he leaned over the ivory-colored stone wall.

She regarded him with a wary eye.

“Let us finish this then,” she said softly.

“Already? My, my… you are an impatient one. No savoring the moment, prolonging the delicious seconds before you—”

“No, I’d rather not.”

Hudson chuckled yet part of him was beginning to question whether he was being wise. Oh, a kiss was nothing to most women. Certainly he had kissed more than his fair share of women, but with Emma, he knew it would be different. His heart warred with his mind as she tentatively reached out and grasped his coat sleeve then pulled him closer. His heartbeat increased as she glanced up at him, an expression of tolerance mixed with uncertainty on her beautiful face.

He reached around her small waist and pulled her close until her spicy orange and cinnamon scent permeated his senses. He gazed down at her, knowing his eyes betrayed the depth of his emotion but unable to hide it. She watched him intently then closed her eyes, waiting. Hudson stared at her. Her oval face shone in the moonlight and her dark sooty eyelashes fanned across her perfectly fashioned cheekbones. She appeared otherworldly, and she was waiting for him. Slowly, he began to close the distance and let his eyes close as he lost himself in her scent and the warmth radiating from her body as it pressed into his. He paused just before his lips met hers, unable to take what she was not willingly giving him. She was offering out of duty, not out of desire. Though the rake in him wanted to take all she offered and more, he wouldn’t. Slowly he opened his eyes and moved his head slightly. Deliberately, he rubbed her cheek with his nose, inhaling deeply and savoring the sensation of flesh on flesh. Softly, he pressed a lingering and tender kiss to her warm cheek and backed away. A sense of loss covered him as he increased the distance.

Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked at him. Her eyes were wide with wonder and confusion.

“I thought…” The husky quality to her voice caused his body to tighten to the point of pain.

“I will not take that which is not freely given, Miss Kingsly. Consider your debt paid in full.” Hudson bowed and began to walk away, willing his body to relax from its painful state. He closed his eyes for a few steps, calling himself ten kinds of fool for not taking the chance to taste the flavor of her lips, the honey under her tongue. When he opened his eyes once more, he let out a tight breath.

“I will not.” Her voice echoed across the stone balcony.

Hudson paused mid-step. After a heartbeat, he turned to find her striding toward him with purpose-filled steps.

“Pardon?” Hudson questioned.

“I will not consider myself paid in full. I gave my word. I’ll keep it,” she whispered as she came closer. With trembling hands she reached up and rested them on his shoulders. Rising up on tiptoes, she placed a warm kiss directly on Hudson’s slightly parted lips.

His shock only lasted a moment and then he took control of the kiss. Her lips were deliciously soft as they molded over his. Without thought, he wrapped his arms around her waist, instinctively guiding her into his embrace. She followed his lead willingly. Hudson savored her spicy honey flavor. He teased her lower lip and flicked his tongue against her teeth as she gasped. Gently, he invaded her mouth and vowed to remember her taste, the million sensations of her body pressed into his and willingly surrendering. Her hands reached around his neck, pulling him in closer and Hudson willingly obeyed.

Through the fabric of her dress he could feel her pounding heartbeat that was certainly echoed by his own. Never before had a kiss so consumed him. All that existed was her. Slowly she pulled away, as if reluctant. Hudson gentled his hold, but continued to tease her lips with increasingly tender kisses. With a final lingering touch of her lips, she released her hold on his neck and Hudson opened his eyes. Her own gaze was drunk with passion and her lips were swollen and cherry red from his attentions. Never had she appeared so beautiful.

“I believe now… my debt is paid in full.” She spoke with a husky and deeply alluring quality to her voice, sending Hudson’s self control almost over the edge.

More than anything, he wanted to press her against the stone wall and take far more than nectar-laced kisses, but he wouldn’t.

“Yes. You are indeed.” Hudson’s own voice was deeper and more gravelly. Slowly he reached up and trailed a finger down her soft cheek. She closed her eyes for a moment then seemed to remember herself. With a delicate cough, she backed away and smoothed her dress with her hands.

“Yes, well. I believe it’s time to return.”

“Of course. I’ll wait here and follow you in a few moments, Miss Kingsly,” Hudson offered with a slight bow.

“Thank you, Lord Daventry.”

“Believe me, it was my pleasure, Miss Kingsly.” He tried to suppress the grin fighting to be free, but when she grinned back instead of raising an eyebrow or tossing an annoyed expression his way, he lost the battle and smiled broadly.

As Hudson waited for the correct time to return to the ballroom, he replayed the kiss over and over. How she had shocked him when she had strode over and declared herself not paid in full! There was no sweeter taste than her lips, nothing more alluring than her flushed face after being thoroughly kissed. His pursuit of her had been sincere before, but indeed, now he was more determined than ever to win every ounce of her affection. Even then, he doubted it would be enough to satisfy his growing hunger for her. The kiss simply had fanned the flames that had started so many years before.

Chapter Six

Emma closed her eyes for a moment before entering the ballroom. She waited behind a velvet curtain and touched her lips with her gloved fingers. Truly Hudson could kiss! Never had she dreamed of such an amazing sensation! While she didn’t have much experience in that area of life, she certainly doubted anyone could captivate her senses as thoroughly as he had. Even now his minty fragrance lingered, sending prickles of delight from the memory. The sensitive flesh around her mouth was still tingling from the alluring friction of his slight beard. She remembered how he gently teased her with his captivating kiss. His lips, so soft then so demanding. The kiss had been spellbinding, locking her inside a dreamlike state of bliss from which she struggled still to free herself.

It could never happen again.

Already her body yearned for another taste of his demanding yet gentle kiss. Should he choose to do so, she knew he could easily conquer her resolve to remain unmarried. No, she must not give in to the temptation that he presented. Never could she give into his kiss. For his kiss caused her to abandon all caution and forget all her convictions. Surely such kisses were how women became ruined! It was a sobering thought. With a heavy sigh she left the security of the curtain-shrouded wall and entered the room, hoping her flushed face wouldn’t give away her recent tryst.

“There you are!” Sadie said as she approached Emma.

“Yes. Here I am.” Emma tried to offer a confident grin, but her smile faded as Sadie began to narrow her eyes and study her face with intensity. “Yes?” Emma offered, feigning indifference though her heart was pounding.

“You… I believe it’s time we departed,” Sadie finished, still studying her sister’s countenance.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Emma released a breath of relief.

“Have you by chance seen Lord Daventry?” Sadie asked the question calmly but her eyes betrayed her interest in the answer.

“Not for some time,” Emma answered, aware that her answer was both truthful and perfectly vague.

Sadie narrowed her eyes slightly, as if she didn’t quite believe Emma. “Actually, I believe I’ve found him.” Sadie grinned.

Emma’s body demanded she turn just to gaze upon his face, but her stubborn will overcame her body’s desire.

“Ladies! If it is acceptable to you, shall we depart?”

Emma glanced over to Hudson, her greedy gaze absorbing the slightly wrinkled fabric of his shirt and more relaxed style of hair. His lips were even more pronounced as if her kiss had left a mark of passion. He turned his chocolate gaze to her and immediately her heart began to race frantically. All she could remember was his taste.

“Yes, Lord Daventry. I was just asking my sister if she had seen you recently for that very same reason,” Sadie answered.

“Delightful. I’ll depart to ready the carriage and return to fetch you momentarily.” Hudson spoke to both of them, but his gaze never left Emma. As if he had the same inability to look away that she felt. With a bow he took a few steps back and then winked at Emma just before he turned and strode away.

“You, Sister dear, do not need to tell me anything. But know that you are not hiding anything either.” Sadie raised an eyebrow and then began to giggle. “I, for one, am thrilled. You have lingered far too long in pain that you did not create nor have a need to own. If I can have hope in love, then you must too.” With that, she turned to say goodbye to their hostess.

Emma turned back to watch the last few moments of Hudson’s stride before he disappeared. Her heart sank. She wanted to have hope in love, but how did one begin to trust that which could not be seen? There was no guarantee that Hudson would return her affection should she give it. Oh, he might for a while, but certainly after time his affection and interest would wane, wouldn’t it? She was not sure if he was worth the risk. She wasn’t sure anything was worth that type of risk. How did a lady protect her heart when someone else held it?

Sadie approached once again and placed a gentle hand on Emma’s shoulder.

“I see the fear in your eyes, dear sister.”

Emma glanced down from her sister’s wise gaze.

“But love, true love, casts away all fear. For in the end, it trusts not because the other person is perfect, but because it has no other choice but to step out in faith and walk blindly. And in doing so, you discover the finest treasure ever created.” Sadie patted Emma’s hand.

“I believe you. But I don’t think I have that type of faith.”

“It’s not time. It’s clear that myriad of emotions you are feeling are beyond confusing, but in time they will sort themselves out. Give yourself time.” Sadie offered her an understanding tilt of her head then shifted her gaze to just behind Emma.

“All is ready. May I escort you out?” Hudson led them out into the chilled night.

Emma didn’t know what to say on the carriage ride home, but the silence wasn’t awkward. Occasionally, she’d glance up to find Hudson watching her. He’d offer her a tender grin then politely turn to look out the window. At least he wasn’t expecting her to fall at his feet.

When they arrived home, Hudson helped them from the carriage and bid them goodnight. Part of Emma hoped he’d ask for a private word with her so that just maybe he’d kiss her once again. Yet, when he did not, she felt a large relief. But his touch did linger as he kissed her hand and his chocolate gaze was as intimate as his branding kiss. Reluctantly, she entered the house and heard the carriage pull away. Thankfully, Sadie was quiet and let Emma gather her scattered thoughts.

She readied for bed and sank into the feather mattress. Visions of Hudson’s gaze haunted her whenever she closed her eyes. Even his scent seemed to float on the air. With a heavy sigh, Emma lit a candle and pulled out a book. There would be no rest for the weary this night.

****

Hudson awoke from another fevered dream, sweating. It was as if that kiss had unlocked some sort of secret obsession he had harbored unknowingly. Each time he closed his eyes her ethereal face would overtake him. Her alluring scent would permeate his senses, and he could not think of anything else. He didn’t want to think of anything else. Who knew one kiss could be so captivating? His self-control would be tested to the limit if he were to endure courting her without pressuring her to give more than she was ready.

He closed his eyes and sank into the pillows, trying to calm his desire. Yet he paused, realizing that in doing so, he’d simply be proving Emma correct in her assumptions. Truly, that was the
last
thing he wanted! She wouldn’t understand that his desire was so overwhelming; to her it would be betrayal, plain and simple. Though they hadn’t any formal arrangement and had only kissed, he knew Emma would simply see a reflection of his brother. But it was also something deeper. A restlessness overwhelmed him and suddenly he realized that even if he did pursue an outlet for his passion, he’d remain unsatisfied. Shocked, he tried to understand how everything had changed so suddenly. Was it love? Certainly it was lust, but he knew it was more… much more.