Devil broke their heady kiss so that he could move her back slightly and shift his attentions to her other breast. She dragged in a shuddering breath, but kept her eyes shut and didn’t protest; lips curving, he gave her what she wanted.
Her skin was smooth as satin, rich to the touch; his fingertips tingled as he stroked her, his palm burned when he cupped the soft weight. Her height belied her curvaceousness; each breast filled his palm, a satisfyingly sensual sensation. His only complaint was that he couldn’t see what his fingers traced; her carriage dress was too stiff, the style too well cut, to brush her bodice aside.
He returned to the first breast; his fingers tightened. Hon- oria’s eyes glinted from beneath her lashes. He caught her gaze. ‘‘I want you, sweet Honoria.’’ Gravelly with leashed desire, his voice was very deep. ‘‘I want to watch you, naked, writhing in my arms. I want to see you, naked, spread be- neath me.’’
Honoria couldn’t stopthe shiver that raced through her.
Eyes trapped in his, she struggled to draw breath, struggled to steady her giddy head. The planes of his face were hard- edged; desire glowed in his eyes. His fingers shifted; a shaft of pure delight streaked through her. She shivered again.
‘‘There’s much more that I can teach you. Marry me, and I’ll show you all the pleasure I can give you—and all that you can give me.’’
If she’d needed any warning of how dangerous he was, how intent he was, it was there in that last phrase; Honoria heard his possessiveness ring. Any pleasure he gave her she would pay for—but would possessing her truly be such plea- sure to him? And, given all she now knew, was being pos- sessed, by him, any longer a destiny to be feared? Breathing shallowly, she raised her hand and sent it skating over his chest. Muscles shifted, then locked. Other than a hardening of his features, his face showed no reaction.
Honoria smiled knowingly; raising her hand, she boldly traced his jaw, traced the sensual line of his lips.
‘‘No—I will go upstairs, I think.’’
They both froze, eyes locked on the other’s. The Dowa- ger’s voice carried clearly from the hall as she issued instruc-
tions to Webster, then heels clicked as she swept past the library door.
Eyes wide, excruciatingly aware that his hand lay firm about her naked breast, Honoria swallowed. ‘‘I think I’d bet- ter go up.’’ How long had they been here, scandalously dal- lying?
Devil’s smile turned devilish. ‘‘In a minute.’’
It wasn’t one, but ten. When she finally climbed the stairs, Honoria felt like she was floating. Reaching the gallery, she frowned. Devil’s pleasure, she suspected, could be seriously addictive; of his possessiveness she had not a doubt. But passion?—that should be intense, uncontrollable, explosively powerful; Devil had been in control throughout. Her frown deepening, she shook her head and headed for the morning room.
168
Chapter 12
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‘‘I
don’tbelieveit!’’ Seated before her escritoire, Hon- oria stared at the single sheet of parchment in her hand. For the third time, she read the simple message, then, her jaw setting ominously, she rose and, letter in hand, headed for the library.She didn’t knock. She flung the door wide and marched in. Devil, seated in his accustomed place, raised his brows.
‘‘I take it there’s a problem.’’
‘‘Indeed.’’ Honoria’s eyes glittered. ‘‘This!’’ With a flour- ish, she deposited her letter on the desk. ‘‘Explain that, if you would, Your Grace.’’
Devil picked up the letter and scanned it, lips firming as he realized its content. Dropping it on the blotter, he leaned back, studying Honoria still standing before the desk, arms crossed, eyes flashing—the very image of an intemperate vi- rago. ‘‘I didn’t actually think you’d ask.’’
‘‘Didn’t thinkI’d ask?’’ The look she bent on him over- flowed with incredulous scorn. ‘‘When I spend a small for- tune at a modiste’s, I expect to receive a bill. Of course I asked!’’
Devil glanced at the letter. ‘‘It appears you received an answer.’’
‘‘Not an answer I wished to receive.’’ Turning to pace, skirts swishing, Honoria paused long enough to inform him through clenched teeth: ‘‘It is, as you very well know, totally unacceptable for you to pay for my wardrobe.’’
‘‘Why?’’
Dumbfounded, she stopped and stared. ‘‘Why?’’ Then she narrowed her eyes at him. ‘‘You’ve been dealing with la- dybirds too long, Your Grace. While it may be de rigueur to lavish Celestine’s best on such women, it is not accepted practice for gentlemen to provide wardrobes for ladies of character.’’
‘‘While I naturally hesitate to contradict you, Honoria Pru- dence, you’re wrong on both counts.’’ With unruffleable sangfroid, Devil picked up his pen, and his next letter. ‘‘It’s perfectly acceptable for gentlemen to provide wardrobes for their wives. Ask any of Maman’s acquaintances—I’m sure they’ll verify that fact.’’ Honoria opened her mouth—he con- tinued before she could speak: ‘‘And as for the other, I haven’t.’’
Honoria frowned. ‘‘Haven’t what?’’
Devil looked upand met her eye. ‘‘Haven’t lavished Ce- lestine’s best on any of my ladybirds.’’ Honoria’s expression blanked; he lifted one brow. ‘‘That’s what you meant, wasn’t it?’’
Honoria drew herself up. ‘‘That’s irrelevant. Whatisrel- evant is the fact that I’m not your wife.’’
Devil looked down. ‘‘A minor inconsistency time will no doubt correct.’’ With a series of bold strokes, he signed his letter.
Drawing a deepbreath, Honoria clasped her hands before her and addressed the air above his head. ‘‘I am afraid, Your Grace, that I cannot acquiesce to the present situation. It is entirely inappropriate.’’ Glancing down her nose, she watched as he reached for another letter. ‘‘Anyreasonable being would instantly see, and acknowledge, that fact.’’ With unimpaired calm, Devil picked up his pen and dipped it in the inkstand. Honoria set her teeth. ‘‘I must request that you inform me of the total of Celestine’s bill and allow me to recompense you for the sum.’’
Devil signed his name, blotted it, set the pen back in its rack—and looked up. ‘‘No.’’
Honoria searched his eyes—his green gaze was jewel- clear, hard, and uncompromising. Her breasts swelled as she drew a portentous breath; she pressed her lips tightly to- gether, then nodded. ‘‘Very well. I’ll send everything back.’’