Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
Arthur took a seat beside her. “Well, I was looking for you.”
* * *
Her eyebrows rose in utter surprise. “You were? Why?”
* * *
He sighed, and shook his head, looking away. “It doesn’t matter now. I won’t let them touch you.”
* * *
Her brow furrowed in worry. “Let who touch me?”
* * *
He leaned back against the bench, sliding his arm down the back of the chair as he looked at her. “A few so-called gentlemen had some nefarious intentions towards you. I overheard them discussing it at a gaming hell I happened to be at.”
* * *
She shivered. “And they were coming here?”
* * *
“Yes.”
* * *
Her heart sank. “This is why I do not like London.”
* * *
He reached out and took both her hands in his, leaning forward to stare intently into her eyes. “I don’t want you to worry. They won’t come near you.”
* * *
Their gazes met and held, tension building slowly between them. Arthur’s eyes flitted from her eyes to her lips and back again. He drew a deep breath and mouthed her name. She shivered in response, eyelids fluttering. The sounds from the party faded away and she felt as if she was enclosed in a cocoon with Arthur. Their faces drew closer together.
* * *
Her book dropped from nerveless fingers as she tilted her head up, lips parting. Then his lips were right there, pressing down upon hers. She sat completely still, frozen in place, getting used to the immediacy of his presence, allowing his essence to envelope her in sandalwood and mint with a hint of tobacco. His lips moved against hers and she responded by parting her lips. The tips of their tongues touched, like a greeting. She opened her mouth wider, wanting to better taste him and their lips cinched, tongues tangling together like old friends. A moan escaped her, disappearing into his mouth as his hands traveled up her arms, stopping to squeeze her upper arms hard as he pulled her close. He sucked in her bottom lip, nipping gently at it and she grasped his arms, holding tight to him.
* * *
Suddenly the decibels of noise from the party increased and there was a laugh that seemed very close. Arthur pulled away from her, his lips red and swollen, and looked towards the door, looking horrified. Slowly, Janice turned her head to see a man and a woman, standing in the doorway, staring at them in stupefaction.
* * *
Suddenly the man smirked, grabbed the woman’s hand, and nodded. “Excuse us.” He backed out of the room, taking the woman with him. Arthur and Janice turned to look at each other in horror.
* * *
“Oh dear,” Janice said quietly.
* * *
Arthur nodded. “I fear we may have caused a scandal. Let me escort you back to the party and then I shall leave.”
* * *
“No, please! I want to go upstairs. I have no desire to answer questions.”
* * *
He offered his arm. “Very well then. Let’s go.”
Arthur walked with his head down, contemplating what had happened. His arms were folded close to his body, his cloak protecting him from the rain. He cared not if he got soaked. All his focus was on trying to figure out what he should do now. Never in a million years would he have wanted to precipitate what had just happened. But he had no idea what to do about it.
* * *
He wasn’t surprised to find himself outside White’s. “I need a drink.”
* * *
Even though it was the small hours of the morning, the club lounge was quite full. Most of the men were at games of chance but some were simply ensconced by the fire, reading the news. He spotted the Marquis of Sarandon in conversation with Lord Cambridge.
* * *
Their eyes met across the room and he nodded to the marquis before finding a secluded seat in a nook at a corner of the room. It wasn’t long before the marquis came to join him, a look of concern on his face.
* * *
“What’s to do?” he asked, taking the armchair opposite Arthur.
* * *
The duke sighed, shaking his head. “I have done something…regrettable tonight,” he began.
* * *
The Marquis stopped him with a raise of his finger. “I think this probably calls for some brandy, don’t you?”
* * *
Arthur nodded with relief. “Absolutely.”
* * *
The marquis nodded, summoned the waiter and ordered them a bottle of brandy as well as some desserts. Arthur did not think he could eat anything with his belly churning the way it was, but he didn’t stop the marquis from making the order.
* * *
When the waiter was gone, Sarandon turned to him. “So, what happened?”
* * *
Arthur sighed deeply. “Well…I may have gotten slightly carried away and was caught in a very compromising and dishonorable situation. I am now unable to think of how to mend it.”