Part 24 (1/2)

She paused, drawing a shuddering breath. ”Everyone came crowding into the doorway to listen to Gordon's hateful rant. I thought my friend would defend me, but he apologized, a look of guilt on his face as if we really had been having an affair. It was only later that I understood.”

”Understood what?”

”That Gordon had arranged the entire spectacle. That the man I'd thought my friend was really his p.a.w.n. He testified that we were lovers, that he was one of many men with whom I had relations. He painted me a doxy before the entire world. And nothing I said could change anyone's mind. No one asked me anything because no one believed that I might not be guilty.”

She hung her head, her hands clenched in a tight, white-knuckled grip. She wasn't even aware of Leo until he took a seat at her side and covered her cold hands with one of his own.

”I believe you,” he said. ”I believe every word of your innocence.”

Then she was in his arms, clasped inside his strong, warm embrace, her face pressed to his shoulder.

”I'm sorry, Thalia.” He brushed his lips against her temple. ”I would undo it all if I could. Your hurt pains me.” He skimmed featherlight kisses over her forehead and nose and cheek, each slight touch driving away a little more of the chill inside her. ”But I cannot be sorry you are no longer his wife. For that, I can have no remorse.”

Tilting back her head, she looked into his eyes. ”I hated being his wife. Make me forget, Leo. Make me forget it all, if only for tonight.”

His mouth found hers, softly, slowly. He kissed her tenderly, as if she were made of spun gla.s.s and he feared she might shatter.

And perhaps she might, she realized, but not for the reasons he thought.

She was so tired.

Tired of the lies.

Of the loneliness.

And most of all, of denying her own natural human desires.

She'd been branded a harlot yet enjoyed none of the carnal rewards. Until now, until Leo, she had not missed them. Hadn't even wanted them, thinking herself incapable of such needs.

But Leo made her feel, made her yearn as she never imagined she could. He'd given her a taste of pleasure so exquisite it still haunted her dreams, awake and asleep.

And now, tonight, she wanted more.

Closing her eyes, she kissed him back, silently urging him to take things deeper. But his touch remained light, his every move easy and slow, as if time itself had stopped and they were the only two people left in the world.

He dusted silky kisses over her eyelids, nose and cheeks, then down to her chin and jaw, where he placed nibbling little pecks along the length of her throat. His lips settled at the base, nuzzling there before he began drawing on her with a sweet suction that would surely leave a mark.

His mark.

The knowledge made her tremble as fire sizzled through her veins. Her fingers twined in the dark gold of his hair to cradle him closer.

He made a low humming sound of pleasure as she caressed his nape. Scattering kisses, he moved on to a new spot along the upper curve of her breast. He licked her there lightly, then did the same to its twin, leaving behind a damp trail that set her nerves ablaze.

A fresh shudder rippled over her skin, hot and cold, then hot and cold again. Her clothes suddenly felt too tight, too confining, her thin satin slippers irrationally heavy on her feet.

With a restless movement, she kicked them off.

Leo noticed. ”Will your maid be along to a.s.sist you tonight?”

She shook her head. ”No. I told her not to wait up, that I would see to myself.”

He smiled, pleased. ”Then I shall see to you,” he told her, a proprietary gleam in his eyes. ”Presuming you will let me, that is.”

”I will,” she murmured. ”Take me to bed now, Leo.”

He kissed her again, then entwined his fingers with hers to pull her to her stocking feet. Hand in hand, he led her across the sitting room into her bedchamber. He closed the door behind them with a firm click of the lock.

Still holding her hand, he drew her to the satinwood dressing table with its large mirror. Gently, he turned her around so she faced the gla.s.s, her back to his front. Their eyes met in the reflection.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to a spot just behind her ear; her toes curled against the soft wool carpet. ”Where does she usually begin?” he asked.

”With my jewelry,” she said, her breath thin in her lungs.

He came around and reached for the bracelet on her wrist. Unfastening it, he laid it next to the rose-painted porcelain hairpin box on her dressing table.

Her necklace came next.

Moving behind her again, he set his fingers to work, nimbly opening the tiny clasp. She stood utterly still, watching through shuttered lids as he gathered the warmed gold into his palm.

His lips glided over her cheek and temple. Arching her head back against his shoulder, she let him take her lips in a leisurely, openmouthed kiss that left no doubt of his ultimate intentions.

Her eyelids slid closed.

Rather than continue, though, he went to her dressing table again to place the necklace next to its companion. ”Gown next?” he said.

Silently, she nodded.

He took a moment first to remove his jacket, leaving him in waistcoat, s.h.i.+rtsleeves and trousers; then he stepped behind her again.

His fingers went to the small b.u.t.tons on the back of her evening dress. With a deft touch, he began working them open. ”I've been wanting to do this since the night we first met.”

Her eyes found his again in the mirror, a faint smile on her lips. ”Yes, I know. You were horribly forward.”

”I was also hopelessly bewitched.”

He placed a palm over the exposed skin of her shoulder for a warm caress. ”I thought I'd changed your mind that afternoon by the lake at Holland House, but you ran away.”

”I did. I'm sorry about that. And for getting you shot.”

”I told you before, you are forgiven. Who could possibly have foreseen that farmer and his gun?”

He slid her dress down and off, pausing to let her step free. ”But you were right to make us wait. I can see that now.”

”Can you?” Her heart beat faster as she stood in nothing but her s.h.i.+ft and stays.

He draped her gown over the back of a nearby chair, then returned to unlace her corset. ”Yes, I know you now. We know each other. Tonight is going to be amazing.”

Tendrils of antic.i.p.ation spread through her. She knew he was right.

With a speed and efficiency that demonstrated his familiarity with women's undergarments, he pulled her stays free and laid them on top of her dress.