Summers, Jordan (10 page)

Lily composed herself, drawing strength from deep
inside to push his hand away. “I’d like to speak to you about my father’s
condition, since it somehow involves you.” She kept her tone purposely light. “Father’s
words this morning were unclear, compared to last evening.”

The muscles in his body tensed, despite his languid
casualness. He paused a moment, averting his gaze, before returning to hers. “I
know not what transpired earlier in the evening.” His voice cracked. “But I have
spoken with your father at… length. He has granted me permission to offer for
you after a suitable time of courtship.”

She gasped. “Wha—when?”

“If that’s acceptable,” he continued on, ignoring her
question. “I shall post the banns shortly, once we are better acquainted.” The
look he gave her was shockingly carnal. His gaze shifted over her body,
lingering at her breasts before continuing down to rest casually on her mons,
then returning to her face.

Lily felt tingly as if his gaze alone stroked her,
feathering across her skin like the warm exhalation of a long held breath. Her
nipples tightened to hard thimbles, beneath her chemise.

Forcing her mind away from her body’s reaction to him,
Lily focused on what he’d said. She couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d
struck her. There was no chance her father had done a turnabout, much less on
the same night. He’d been adamant about her staying far away from Lord Lyon
before he’d left for Josephine’s. Lily’s stomach soured the second the name
flitted through her mind. That sinful place had been nothing but trouble for
her family since it opened.

The courtship had been what her father had tried to
tell her about when he came to her door earlier. If he hadn’t been so
intoxicated and despondent she’d have taken him seriously. As it was she hadn’t
been able to make sense of his ramblings. Had she not made herself clear last
night? She knew that in society her opinion counted for little, but she’d
thought her father would at least take it into consideration.

The devilish voice in the back of her mind piped up.
Why would allowing Lord Lyon to court you be
such a bad thing? After all he’s far better than Lord Martins.
Lily tapped
her slippered foot and frowned, wrapping her arms around her waist. The
situation made no sense. She wanted to rebel, protest, and demand to be
listened to. She bit back a very unladylike curse.

But even as she stumbled through the twists and turns
of the events unfolding before her, a traitorous part of Lily rejoiced—that
stubborn, childish part inside who believed in fairytales and true love. But as
she gave it a moment’s pause, the reality of the situation began to sink in. He
was no prince, here to sweep her off her feet, and save her from a life of
loneliness. Richard was an unrepentant rake. She would be marrying a man who
she could not trust, much less give her heart to. He could not possibly love
her, for in truth, he did not know her. Was she doomed to repeat her mother’s
mistakes?

Last night her father had forbid their involvement and
yet here Richard stood before her, unconcerned with her father’s wishes. Would
he be the same where she was concerned? Lily didn’t like the answer her heart
gave her. She had to put an end to these imaginings now.

“I’m sorry, my lord, but I must insist you leave at
once,” her voice quivered, despite her resolve. “I have no desire for you to
make an offer for me. I’m quite happy with my life the way things are
currently.”

For a moment, Richard stood before her looking
dumbfounded. Then with a swiftness, Lily hadn’t known was possible, he reached
for her, pulling her into his arms. He captured her mouth in a stunning
embrace. His palms slid to her face, tilting her jaw enough to compliment his
greater height. His lips were soft at first, coaxing, teasing, drawing out her
response in minute increments. Lily found herself relaxing against him,
surrendering to his tender touch.

Richard deepened the kiss, taking over her senses,
guiding her along a new path they’d yet to explore. His lips firmed against
hers and he dipped his tongue into her mouth.

Lily moaned. She was on fire. Her breasts ached and she
felt moisture gathering at her feminine core. A steady throb had started inside
her with no relief in sight. She pressed closer, trying to understand the need
pulling at her body. Richard nipped her bottom lip.

It stung for but a moment, before he swiped his tongue
over the tender spot and gently sucked. He growled deep in his chest, then
pulled back from the kiss. His nostrils flared as his lungs heaved in air.
Something dark and dangerous flashed in his eyes for a second, then was gone
before Lily could discover what it had been.

His hand stroked the side of her face. “You have no
idea what you do to me. How intoxicated I am in your presence. I’m drunk from
your enchanting fragrance.”

Lily couldn’t seem to catch her breath. His words
seared her soul. Her body pulsed in a completely unfamiliar way. Never in her
years had she experienced anything remotely as moving as Lord Lyon’s kisses. It
was as if with one touch he turned her inside out, made her want to be a
different woman than she was. She had to put a stop to this before she
completely lost herself in him.

As if reading her thoughts, he spoke. “Before you say a
word, agree to ride with me,” he rasped. “We’ll discuss anything you like.”

Lily considered for a moment, then opened her mouth to
decline, but was as shocked as Richard if not more so, given his expression,
when the word, “yes,” slipped from her lips.

Without giving her a chance to recover, Richard moved
her to the door of the conservatory and out into the hall. “I’ll be waiting at
the entrance, while you fetch your pelisse.”

“B-but—”

He kissed her again, silencing her last protest.

* * * * *

The cool night air felt refreshing against Lily’s
heated skin. She’d told herself before leaving that she had no intention of
enjoying the ride, but here she sat, breeze in her hair, happy as a lark. She’d
gone to her father’s room before rejoining Richard, to assure herself there’d
been no mistake.

Her father had paled at her words, clutching the brandy
snifter tight enough to shatter it, but he hadn’t protested. Instead, he
insisted she do her duty. Lily blanched at the thought of being forced to give
herself to a man she barely knew and who her father clearly hated, even out of
some strange sense of honor and family. She knew it was quite common for
alliances to be achieved on far less.

Why was she being called to duty now after her father
had given her the names of the gentlemen he found acceptable for an alliance?
This was too fast of a turnaround and made absolutely no sense…
unless
Richard truly was a creditor
.

Then she remembered the rest of her father’s warning.
He’d said to not fall for any of Lord Lyon’s wicked words. He wanted her to act
cordial, and then eventually turn Richard away. Her future had already been
determined.

With newfound dread, she readied herself and returned
to the entry hall where Lord Lyon awaited her arrival. A shiver of unfettered
excitement raced down Lily’s spine as her eyes roamed over his lean muscled
form, before meeting his gaze. He had dressed in formal black with gray
breeches hugging his thick thighs. His Hessians sparkled in the dim lighting,
along with the mahogany of his queued hair. Long lashes framed his
obsidian-colored eyes, while sharp planes shaped a face that would make an
archangel weep. Lily swallowed hard as he bowed over her hand and escorted her
to the carriage parked out front of her home.

Two handsome pairs pawed at the ground anxiously,
waiting to be put through their paces. A footman held the team in place.
Richard handed Lily into the unmarked carriage. “Draw the curtains tight until
we reach the park. I want no mention of impropriety associated with your good
name.”

Lily nodded and did as he bid, closing and tying the
curtains, so that no one could by chance peer in. The carriage shifted as he
climbed up next to the footman. She found it quite strange to be taking a ride
in Richard’s carriage at night, but also intriguing, as if they were getting
away with something society would surely disapprove of. Lily had never been
rebellious in any external fashion, so this tiny bit of danger thrilled her.

Lily smiled and peeked out the window. She still had no
intention of marrying any rake and she would explain her position the first
chance she got. But that fact would not stop her from enjoying his company this
evening.

Lord Lyon was different from her other potential
suitors. He had a steadfast confidence that was not feigned, yet there was an
air of power and danger that clung to him like a second skin. His chiseled
features were so strikingly pale against his mahogany-colored hair. And those
obsidian eyes, seemed cold, yet hauntingly sad. The dichotomy intrigued her.
Lily had the distinct impression that at any moment the mask would slip to
reveal his true nature.

Richard had carefully avoided all the crowded areas of
town, swinging the chestnuts toward the park where they could glide unobserved.
Upon reaching the park, he ordered the footman to stroll and then helped Lily
out of the cab, up into the seat beside him. He slowed the team to a steady
walk and set them upon the trail.

Lily glanced at him from beneath her lashes. “This is
lovely. Thank you.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome. I hoped you’d enjoy the
ride, for novelty sake if nothing else.”

Lily watched him closely. “Are you going to tell me
what is going on, my lord?”

Richard arched a brow and looked at her, glancing
forward now and then to assure the horses remained on track. “I’m not sure I
know what you’re speaking of.”

Lily laughed, then pinned him with her gaze. “My
father, you showing up tonight, courting, offering for my hand… “

“Lily, I assure you my intentions are honorable.” His
voice was silky soft, melting like fresh cream butter over an oven hot scone.

“Why me?” She frowned. “Why settle now?”

His lip quirked. “I find you immensely suitable.”

“Suitable.” She grimaced. “I suppose that should mean
something, but I’m afraid that’s not good enough, for me.”

Richard’s gaze didn’t flicker. “Your father found it
quite acceptable.”

“That brings me to my next question. What happened at
Madam Josephine’s last night?”

“How did you… “ His jaw clenched. “The details are
unimportant. Suffice to say we came to an understanding concerning you, we
could both agree upon.”

“What?” Lily trembled as anger lashed her body. “Did
you win me in a game of whist?” she snapped.

Richard flinched. “Not exactly… But as I said before,
my intentions toward you are honorable.”

“You don’t even know me.” She shook her head in
disbelief. “If your intentions are as honorable as you say, then why are we
taking a ride under the cover of darkness?” She waved her gloved hand in the
air.

Richard glanced uneasily at his team and then turned to
face her once again. “I have an… ailment that requires me to avoid bright
sunlight.”

Her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. That was
not the answer she’d been expecting. “Really? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

He flashed her a smile. “It is quite rare—but not
catching.”

Lily found herself reaching for Richard’s free hand. “I’m
so sorry. I had no idea.”

Richard went to brush her away, but stopped. The need
to feel her touch was stronger. “There is no need for pity.” His jaw firmed. “I’ve
existed quite well with this condition for many cen—years and with the exception
of having to avoid the brightest daylight hours, lead quite a normal life.”

Lily’s free hand flew to her mouth, heat filling her
cheeks. “I didn’t mean to imply…”

“It is quite all right.” He squeezed her fingers. “I’ve
learned to live with it.”

Lily pulled her hand free, dropping it into her lap. “It
must be difficult.”

He winked at her and grinned wickedly. “Only when I’m
trying to impress a lady, such as yourself.”

Had she been wrong about what had occurred at Madam
Josephine’s? Was Richard’s illness why her father had protested against him?
Lily wasn’t sure, but somehow she’d find out. Not that she had any intention of
changing her mind. None of this information changed the fact Richard had the
reputation about the ton of being a supreme rake whose seductive skills
bordered on legendary.

But did it excuse an oddity or two? Perhaps…

The unmarked carriage turned toward town. Richard
stopped short, then jumped down to help Lily back inside. The footman stepped
out of the shadows and took his place up top. It seemed her reputation would
remain unblemished as long as he had anything to say in the matter. He secured
her inside, then pulled out a fur from a hidden panel under the seat and handed
it to her.

Why did he have
to be so thoughtful?
He made it exceedingly difficult to dislike him. From
the moment he’d handed her into his carriage to the present, Lord Lyon had been
nothing but a gentleman. She’d waited for any outward sign, any indiscretion,
to use so she could dismiss him, but it had not come. It was as if he’d gone
out of his way to prove himself honorable.

Richard returned Lily promptly to her home. After
ensuring no one was near, he escorted her to the door.

“Rest well tonight, my lady, and think pleasant
thoughts of me.”

Lily laughed, before she could stop herself. It was too
late to cavil. “I’ve had an enlightening time tonight. Thank you, my lord for
the lovely carriage ride.”

“Same time tomorrow night?”

“‘Tis Lady Gordon’s ball. I fear I’ve already
committed.”

Richard’s eyes locked to hers. He raised her fingers to
his lips, at the last moment he flipped her hand over and placed a sizzling
kiss upon her bare wrist. Lily shivered beneath his touch, her skin flaring
under the press of his lips.