He was listening attentively, and yet she had the feeling his thoughts were far away. “So he’s not a gentleman,” he said mildly.
“No,” she agreed. “My father does not seem to be as strict about such conventions as he used to be.”
She was glad he didn’t ask why. She’d already said too much, and she didn’t want him to start asking about her financial woes and perhaps begin to pity her. Or ask for her fees to be paid immediately instead of later.
“Next time you can tell me how things went.”
Tina nodded. Now that it was time to go she suddenly felt lost and alone. She didn’t want to go. She wasn’t sure she was ready. What if she tried to kiss Horace, and he laughed at her?
Impulsively she said, “Do you mind if we do it again? Just to be sure I have it right?”
Amusement flickered in his eyes, but he inclined his head gravely. “Of course, Miss Smythe, it is important to get these things right. Perhaps if you were to approach me this time, if you were to kiss me?”
“That is rather bold, is it not?” she ventured.
“But you must be bold. Take the bull by the horns, or in this case, take Horace by the lips.”
She straightened her back and approached him, purposely resting her hands upon his shoulders, taking a moment to gather herself before she lifted her face toward him and gently brushed her lips against his. He did not respond; he dared not. She did the same again and then, perhaps frustrated by his lack of response, took his lower lip between her teeth and nipped it gently.
Desire skewered him.
His hands went round her waist, holding her against him, not caring if she could feel his obvious erection. He was responding now, and she kissed him with a lack of self-consciousness, totally immersed in the moment.
This time it was Tina who broke away, breathless, flushed, her lips swollen. “My goodness,” she gasped, green eyes shining. “That was . . . was very instructive. Thank you, Mr. Eversham! I am sure I have the hang of it now.”
He thought he might smash something, but instead he smiled his polite smile and put on his charming face, disguising how he really felt. If she knew how much he wanted to lay her on the sofa, she’d be frightened of him. He almost frightened himself. Lack of control was not something Richard was used to feeling—he’d trained himself to be cold and heartless.
“Good, Miss Smythe. I shall see you next time.”
She was saying something about the time and place, hurrying to the door as if she couldn’t wait to escape him, and he let her go. With the door closed he told himself he was back in control, that there was nothing underhanded about what he was doing, it was simply his job, and if Miss Smythe led him to his brother’s killer, then that was all that mattered.
Then why did he have to go to the window to stare down at her, to watch her hurry away?
After a moment his thoughts calmed, and he remembered what she’d said about Little. That was the second time that name had cropped up recently. He wondered just what Mr. Little had to do with Horace Gilfoyle; why was he at his soiree? They didn’t seem to be cut from the same cloth, and yet here they were together.
Tina was right, it was a pity he could not go to her dinner party. He would have liked to observe the main suspects interacting. He would have liked to know just what they were planning next.
And then he remembered that Sir Henry Arlington was also going to dinner. Sir Henry could pull some strings, surely?
It was an audacious idea. Richard wondered if he dared, and what would Tina say if he did? It would move their relationship into a completely different sphere if their kissing practice hadn’t already done that.
Did he dare?
Richard smiled. Of course he dared.
Tina felt light-headed, a most unusual sensation for her. And she felt warm, very warm. Her body was one warm glow. Who would have thought a kiss would have such an effect on her? And would being kissed by Horace be as pleasurable?
She hoped so, but deep in her heart she feared that it was kissing Mr. Eversham and not the kiss itself that had made her ache and glow all over.
And if that was the case, then she was in quite serious trouble.
Chapter 10
Archie had arranged to meet with Maria on her next free afternoon, and he found himself looking forward to it far more than he’d expected. Not that he’d tell Richard Eversham that; after all this was meant to be work, prying information from the woman, not gadding about enjoying himself.
But who said he couldn’t do both?