“I told you, I…”
Another ribbon was untied, the heavy material of the gown falling open to reveal the thin shift that was all she wore beneath. It was too hot to endure the usual layer of underclothing.
“The truth.”
She licked her lips, her heart pounding. “My mother requested that I come to England.”
“Specifically to Surrey?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Her gaze lowered to the simply tied cravat, unwilling to meet his relentless stare as she sought a suitable lie. “I believe she hoped I could discover an interest in an English gentleman since I had refused all my Russian suitors.”
“Tut, tut,” he murmured, undoing the ribbons to her waist. “A maiden with your pedigree and beauty would never squander herself in the country. Not when you could have dazzled your way through London society.”
She made a sound of disgust at his ridiculous words. “I am not the sort of woman who dazzles anyone.”
“I must disagree.” His gaze ran a searing path down the plunging neckline of her shift, lingering on the hardened tips of her breasts that peeked through the lace. “I have never been so dazzled.”
She stirred beneath him, a restless need coiling through her body. “You…”
Her words cut off in a startled moan as he captured the nub of her nipple between his lips. The moistened lace molded to her body, his hot breath making her skin prickle in delight.
“Tell me the truth, Leonida,” he muttered.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, her body helplessly responding to his skillful touch. “I cannot.”
He shifted to tease her other breast. “Why?”
She struggled to think through the fog of pleasure clouding her mind. “Because my mother is in grave danger.”
“What danger?”
He did something with his teeth that made her back arch off the bed.
“I have sworn not to tell.”
“How very convenient.”
“Are you jesting?” she muttered. “It has been anything but convenient.”
“Poor Leonida,” he mocked, deftly unraveling the remaining ribbons and pushing the heavy gown off her shivering form. “Shall I make it all better?”
“What are you doing?” she stupidly demanded, her limbs melting beneath the slender hands that roamed with a growing urgency over her skin.
“I have decided the truth can wait, but I cannot,” he growled, spreading kisses over the curve of her breasts.
Her breath was squeezed from her lungs, her heart skipping a beat. “Oh.”
Lifting his head he regarded her with a tormented gaze. “Damn you.”
“Me?” Her eyes widened at his harsh tone. “I have done nothing.”
“You have plagued me since you first came to Surrey. I cannot concentrate on anything but you. I have neglected my duties, my tenants and even my brother.”
“If you will recall, I left Meadowland. You are quite at liberty to concentrate on whatever you please.”