Chapter Seven
What was wrong with him? Was he mad? Maybe he should do himself a favor and take the carriage to Bedlam himself. She was an innocent unless she was a good actress, but that was nearly impossible. That had been the poor girl's first real kiss. What right did he have to bestow it upon her? The memory of her lips burned in his thoughts, making him want to swear and laugh at the same time.
She was exquisite—everything that a duke would want and more. Beautiful and classy with just a hint of mischief. Yes she would be a good duchess. The duke would be a fool not to choose her, but then again, wasn’t he playing that exact same fool by letting her go? He kicked the grass with his boot and blazed back inside the room. Sai was nowhere to be seen.
Lord Rawlings sauntered up next to Nicholas, making him wish for a quick escape. Rawlings was one of the most egotistical fools with whom he had ever had the unfortunate opportunity to converse.
“That’s quite a comely wench you've brought with you, Renwick,” he said in hushed tones.
“She’s not mine.”
“Oh?” Rawlings seemed to be mocking him. “It didn’t look that way just a few moments ago.”
Nicholas turned to face him. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“The young lady came running into the ballroom from the garden—lips swollen, hair rumpled. Amazing that Lady Fenton didn’t take notice immediately.”
Nicholas shrugged. “I’m glad she’s enjoying herself in the gardens with available gentlemen, but it’s none of my concern.”
“I’m sorry—" Rawlings put his hand on Nicholas’s shoulder. “Where did I see you just come from?”
Nicholas paled.
“Be careful, or you’re going to lose more than Belverd’s silly bet.”
Rawlings turned on his heel and walked off, leaving behind a speechless Nicholas. Just how many people knew about this bet? It was obvious he was being watched more than usual, which made him feel oddly uncomfortable, in spite of the fact his whole existence had been about gaining attention in the ton.
Watching couples dance and flirt shamelessly left a bitter taste in his mouth. He suddenly realized that the ball was the last place he wanted to be. What man enjoyed watching other couples participate in the type of happiness he knew he would never have? Having the desperate urge to leave, his eyes quickly scanned the crowd for Sai; it was only proper to let her know he was abandoning her.
He heard a hearty rich laugh coming from the refreshment area and inwardly grimaced when he realized it was most likely Sai getting more male attention.
Sure enough, upon arriving at the table, he noticed several gentlemen flocking around her, laughing and trying to impress her with jokes. She seemed amused, but also taken aback by the overwhelming attention. It was alluring to see such a striking woman so timid. Especially with such titled men salivating over her. He pushed his way through, glad for once for his reputation. Men were used to getting out of his way.
He leaned down and whispered, “Lady Sai, a word, if you please?”
She excused herself from the gentlemen and linked her arm in his. Just one touch from her sent a longing shudder throughout his body. He tried to stifle the hunger that threatened to escape, but it was torture. He led Sai down a darkened hallway and onto a patio he once used to seduce women. Odd, that he would take her to the one place he knew nobody would find them. It wasn’t wise, he knew. He was making a mistake. They should be around people, not lurking in dark corners.
He inhaled unsteadily and faced her. “Sai, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m not feeling well. I think I’m going to retire for the evening.” He bent down to kiss her glove, but she had already removed it and was now feeling his forehead.
“You do feel a little warm.” Her voice was heavy with worry. She rolled her eyes. “Maybe if you wouldn’t drink so much, it wouldn’t be a problem. I hear brandy is bad for fevers.”
“What the devil do you mean? I don’t drink too much!” he argued.
“You do. I’ve seen you throw back more than your fair share. I don’t approve.” She leaned over the railing, pulling away from him at the same time.
Nicholas hesitantly drew closer. “I didn’t realize you were watching me so closely.”
Eyes flickering with embarrassment, she looked away. So this was how she was going to play it, ignorant.
“I assure you,” he cleared his throat. “I normally make no habit of consuming spirits of any kind, not even when I lived up to the reputation of the playboy of the ton.”
She lifted her head to look at him. “Why now?”
“Why, indeed,” he muttered, feeling pitiful and powerless.
She said nothing about his confession, though he knew she had heard it. “Sai, I—“
“Yes?” Her eyes looked innocent and hopeful.
“I…” He shook his head. Why was this so hard? He refused to lose the bet, but then again, nobody would actually see them up here. What would be the harm? She had asked him to kiss her. Why shouldn’t she experience what it would feel like to be led down a dark hallway and kissed senseless?
Forgetting everything except his own needs, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her with all the unsatisfied passion he posessed. Her body went limp against his, as he took in more and more of her taste. Everything about her was fresh and alive. She tasted of newly picked strawberries, warm and inviting. He took the liberty of running his fingers through her hair and realized his mistake. It made him hungrier for more. He would never be satisfied with merely kissing this woman. Never. He cupped her chin and kissed down her neck, feeling her tremble with delight each time his lips met her skin. She seemed to purr as he left trails of kisses down her cheek; her eyes were closed, but he wanted nothing more than to see the two large emeralds aglow with desire gazing back at him.
“Open your eyes,” he whispered huskily.
For once she didn’t argue, but obeyed his bidding. It was enough to completely undo him. He picked her up and found her mouth again, this time with everything he had been thinking and feeling since meeting her. If he was going to kiss her, he wasn’t going to hold back, especially if she was to belong to someone else. His heart felt like it would beat out of his chest, the intense longing shot straight through his body, making him want to moan and shout all at once. This madness had to stop, or he would do more than just steal a kiss from the innocent girl.
Unwillingly he set her feet back on the ground and hesitantly distanced himself from her. Her breathing was ragged. Her hair had fallen out of its pins, and her lips looked swollen and ripe. He didn’t think it possible, but she was more beautiful than before. Her eyes held questions he knew he would have to answer. He struggled to say something, something to reassure her misgivings.
Then he heard someone clear their throat.