The warmth of his lips against her fingers sent tingles running through Julia. She did not understand how something so small could set up such a strong reaction within her. My lord
Deverel, he murmured, turning her hand over and planting a lingering kiss on the inside of her wrist.
Deverel
What? He was kissing his way slowly up her bare arm, his lips hot and velvety on her skin, stirring her senses.
I dont think we should be doing this.
Why not? She could feel his smile upon her skin.
Uh, well, anyone could walk out here at any moment and see us.
Thats true. But unlikely. He had reached the point of her shoulder and now began to trail kisses across her collarbone to her neck.
Heat welled up in Julia so quickly and explosively that it almost frightened her. Deverel, stop.
There was a touch of panic in her voice, and Stonehaven lifted his head, looking at her in a puzzled way.
Why? Whats the matter?
I Julia was embarrassed by her moment of fear. She looked up at Deverel. His eyes were dark and smoldering in a way that made her insides quiver. Her eyes dropped to his mouth. She thought about their kiss a few nights earlier, and warmth blossomed in her loins.
She could not stop now, she told herself. She was not about to act the coward. She had to lead him along until she got him to talk. It was a delicate line to walkto give just enough to keep him interested without giving in entirely. She had known that from the start. She had also known that Lord Stonehaven was no schoolboy to fall easily into her trap.
Julia drew a steadying breath and smiled at him. Nothing. Nothings the matter, she said, putting her hand behind his neck and pulling his head down.
5
Though she had experienced it before, Julia was not quite prepared for the torrent of sensations that flooded her at his kiss. She trembled beneath the onslaught, and her fingers tightened against his neck, as if to help her hold on. She had never touched a man so boldly before, and she was very aware of the warmth of his skin and the way his hair brushed her fingers.
He kissed her long and deeply, as if he could reach her very soul, and his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into him until she could scarcely breathe. Their bodies strained together, a little awkwardly because of their seated positions on the bench, until finally Deverel pulled Julia onto his lap. She leaned back against his supporting arm, giving herself up to the pleasure of his kiss.
When at last he broke their contact, it was only to trail kisses across her cheek to her ear and take the fleshy lobe between his teeth, teasing it gently. She could hear the harsh rasp of his breath, and the sound was somehow exciting, too. Little shivers of delight radiated through her. She knew she must get a grip on herself, must control what was happening, but everything was too new and startling.
He began to kiss his way down the side of her neck, and as he did so, his hand slid up from her waist until it cupped her breast. Julia jumped in surprise, drawing in her breath in a gasp. Deverel!
Mmm? He continued to make his way down her neck to her shoulder.
Iuh She didnt know what to say. Her whole body was throbbing, and there was a restless ache between her legs. This was not working. She was getting in deeper and deeper without discovering anything. She gestured vaguely back toward the cottage. The houseyour friends
He raised his head and looked at her. His eyes glittered ferally, and his chest moved up and down in harsh, rapid pants. He glanced back toward the house where she pointed, then cast a long look at her.
Youre right, he said finally. This place is hardly private enough.
He closed his eyes as if fighting to gain control of himself. His arms loosened around her, and Julia made herself hop off his lap, a little surprised at how reluctant she was to do so.
WaitJessica He reached toward her, but Julia took another step backward.
Ah, no, she said, pleased at the flirtatious tone that she forced into her voice. I dont know what sort of women you are used to, but I am not the kind to fall so easily into dalliance.
Irritation flashed across his face, and for a moment Julia thought that he was about to flare up in anger, but then he sighed and leaned back against the bench, looking up at her and saying in a bantering voice, Oh, and what kind of woman are you, then?
The sort who places a high value on herself, Julia retorted coolly.
He chuckled. Indeed. I would say that you are one whose value is higher than most.
He stood and came to her, his lazy smile telling her that he understood her game. No doubt it was not uncommon for a bird of paradise to play a waiting game, trying to raise the stakes.
What next, then? he asked.
Julia hesitated. This was exactly what she wantedto have everything in her control. But she was not sure exactly what to do. She knew that she must arrange things differently. This evening everything had been too vague, and she had left him too much in control. She should arrange their rendezvous in some private place where she could ply him with alcohol to loosen his tongue while she allowed him a few kisses and caresses. But where could such a thing take place? She obviously could not have him come to her home, and everything engrained in her by her upbringing rebelled at the thought of going with him alone to his house.
Suddenly a thought struck her, and she grinned. WellI must confess that I have a great desire to visit Vauxhall Gardens to view the fireworks.
While Vauxhall Gardens was the sort of place where a lady might go, as long as she was in a well-chaperoned party, it was also a public entertainment that anyone could attend, and Julia had heard rumors that it was a favorite spot for dallying among gentlemen and ladies of the night. There were private boxes to be had, where one could have a supper catered, and if one left ones box, there were all sorts of secluded walkways where a couple could stroll alone in the darkor pause in the shadows for a few stolen kisses. Moreover, people often went to it in masquerade, which meant that one could keep ones identity a secret. All these things combined to make it a perfect site for their rendezvous.
Do you? he responded, the glitter in his eyes telling her that he was well aware of the suitability of Vauxhall Gardens. Certainly you must see them. Shall we say tomorrow evening?
No, I am afraid I could not do it tomorrow. She must, after all, keep him dangling for a while in order to whet his appetite. What about the day after that?
As you wish, he replied graciously, inclining his head toward her.
They took their leave of their hostJulia glanced around but could not find the couple who had been so busily engaged on the chair by the windowand quit the house. Once again Julia turned down his offer to escort her home. He pressed his case for a while, but finally gave in and hailed a hackney for her. He did not try to kiss her again, but let her go with a brief, courteous brush of his lips upon the back of her hand. Julia climbed into the vehicle, and it started off.
Deverel watched the hackney until it turned the corner. Then, with a sigh, he started toward his own home. It was, in truth, an earlier hour than he generally kept when he was in the city, but he found that he had little interest in any of the pursuits with which he could pass the remainder of the night. Without Jessica Nunnelly, the evening was suddenly flat.