“I don’t think that’s possible. But, have you?”
“What?”
“Got spots all over your face.”
“I’m not going to tell you. That’ll mean you’re the one taking all the risks. I’ve just warned you of the potential dangers, and now you have to think the worst while I kiss you so that you can hold firm to your dignity and control your horror when we both get into the light again.”
Before Katherine had a chance to reconsider, she felt the tips of his fingers lightly brush her cheeks before he cupped her face. Her breath caught in her throat while the blood rushed to her head causing pins and needles along the way. Too intrigued by her body’s alien responses, she wasn’t going to back out now.
After a second’s agonising anticipation, his lips gently touched hers.
It was as if a thousand butterflies had been unleashed in the dark. Katherine was enthralled. This was much nicer than she’d expected. Jack’s strong young body felt like a rock of sanctuary in the darkness when she’d felt as out of her depth in the ballroom as Jack had just suggested George felt. She twined her arms behind Jack’s neck, eager to deepen the kiss as his tongue gently breached the seam of her lips. He smelt nice: of pepper and sandalwood soap overlaid by the familiar smell that was just him. Katherine shivered, opening her mouth wider as the sensory delight grew more intense.
Too soon, he stopped and, with a sigh, Katherine sagged slightly as he drew back, his hands clasping hers and squeezing them in the dark.
“You did that so well,” she told him approvingly. “Have you done it much before?”
“A few times.” He paused. “But I never enjoyed it as much as this time.”
“Is it very different kissing different people?”
“You’ve never kissed anyone, I take it?”
“No. That’s why I asked you to do it. So I’d know what to expect. I’m going to London in a month to be presented, and Mama and Aunt Antoinette have been drilling me like sergeant majors on how to make the most of myself in order to make the best match I can.”
“You always were ambitious, my dear Katherine.”
There was something about the way he used the familiar term that made her feel quivery all the way down to her feet.
“I just know what I’m worth.” She said it in a proud, haughty tone, but she was smiling. “That’s what Antoinette says I must think every time I weigh up an offer.” She giggled. “You’d remember my aunt, of course!”
“Lord, how could I forget the redoubtable, scandalous Lady Quamby. Your mother and her sister were the ton’s reigning beauties.”
“And don’t you dare suggest in front of them that they’re anything less, today,” Katherine teased.
“As a gentleman, I am well versed in tact.”
“You always were. And now I really should return else Mama will tear strips off me. I’ve been gone far too long as it is.” She put her hand on the cold plastered wall and half turned. “Are you coming?”
“I think I’ll make my departure now and find a hackney to take me to Quamby House. I expect I’ll find Mama will still be up playing cards with the earl. He was very delighted to see her again, and not the slightest bit disappointed that Uncle Rufus couldn’t accompany her. Lots of stories to share.” He paused. “Unless you’d like me to return to the ballroom with you.”
Katherine considered then shook her head, even though she knew he couldn’t see her. “No, I’ll go alone. You can be my special secret. I’d rather no one knew we’d stumbled upon each other here in the dark when we meet back at Quamby House tonight.”
His soft chuckle followed her as she groped her way back to the bright lights of the ballroom. And it sustained her with a happy internal glow as Young George’s face lit up when he encountered her at the supper table.
“You look very pleased with yourself, Katherine,” he remarked, touching her elbow. “Anticipating the final dance of the evening with me?”
Katherine sighed but kept her smile in place. “All right, George. If that’ll please you.”
Her lips were still thrumming with pleasurable delight at the memory of Jack’s kiss, but now the idea of being in George’s cloying waltz hold would remind her of how important it was to find herself a husband who made her feel the excitement and pleasure Jack’s touch inspired, rather than the weary resignation she felt being with George.
Chapter 2
Katherine wasn’t sorry when it was time to leave the ball. But it was only a country affair, she supposed. London would be so much more exciting.
“Darling, you weren’t very kind to Cousin George when you haven’t seen him in such a long time,” Katherine’s mother said under her breath as she followed her daughter and sister into the carriage, tucking aside her blue silk skirts as the door was closed. The gentlemen, who had stayed on to finish their game of cards, would be coming later in the barouche.
“It takes more than plain speaking for George to get the message,” Aunt Antoinette said breezily as she arranged her voluptuous, shapely frame against the far side of the carriage. She smiled as she toyed with the feathers of her headdress. “My poor son can be rather a buffoon when he’s had a couple too many as he clearly has had tonight.”