Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

He grinned. “On how to behave?”

Ah, the proprieties must baffle him after so long away. “Just do what your brother has suggested. Talk of pleasantries. Keep your hands from straying while dancing. Although your brother and my sister are terribly familiar here at Romsey, they will behave very differently in public. Or at least I hope so.” Blythe chuckled. “Kissing is a private matter and to do so in public will incite the most vulgar sort of gossip. Not even a married man may kiss his wife without society going up in flames.”

“And dancing. Must I dance every dance?”

Blythe frowned. “You did secure a dance with Miss Trimble.”

“I know that. However, I believe your sister is planning to try her hand at matchmaking me. I’m not keen to comply with her wishes. Who knows what sort of woman she’d throw at me.”

Goodness. Mercy had not shared that tidbit. Who could Mercy possibly have in mind? She doubted many young women would be ready for a man of Tobias’ substance. “No man is at first, but my sister does have a way of getting what she wants eventually so be warned. Dance with a few ladies to appease her, but I’m sure you can avoid dancing every dance. Most gentlemen find a way into the card room to avoid demands on their time.”

“Will you dance with me?”

Blythe shook her head. “I haven’t danced in years.”

“That makes two of us.”

“Oh dear. That could be a problem. Did you dance much before you left England?”

“Frequently, but never in public. I was forced into the worst sort of torture as my sister’s dance partner. You’ve heard of Rose’s nature. Can you imagine a worse fate?”

Blythe chuckled at the image his words evoked. “You poor fellow.”

Tobias slapped the tabletop. “At last, a little sympathy for my lot in life. Leopold never had to dance with her. He always managed to be busy elsewhere when a partner was called for.”

Blythe laughed at the idea of a young Leopold dancing with a little sister. Rosemary was sounding more and more like a woman she wanted to get to know. She hoped they met one day. Her smile faltered. “There is no reason you’d need to dance with everybody. Just smile and be civil, fetch punch if the opportunity arises, and try not to offend ladies with delicate sensibilities.”

“I’ll do my best to curb my tongue.”

Their eyes met and a little thrill of excitement swept her skin. He was standing close enough for her to see the widening of his eyes and then the slow shift of his attention to her lips and back again. It was disconcerting to be attracted to him. They were poles apart in circumstance and nature. He was everything she shouldn’t desire but oddly did.

She licked her lips nervously. “I’m sure you will. Was that the whole of your questions?”

“No, but to voice any further queries would be indelicate. I have no wish to make you uncomfortable. I’ll ask the rest another night.”

He moved his hand until it rested against her side. Slowly, painfully slowly, he shifted it until he held her arm. Blythe’s breath caught, and she couldn’t seem to catch it again as he slid his fingers down over her glove to capture her fingers in his.

His grip firmed. “Breathe.”

Blythe dragged in a large breath, appalled by the effect his nearness had on her.

He shifted and his breath skimmed her ear. When she turned her head, his lips bumped her skin. Blythe lifted her chin.

Tobias’ lips crashed against hers, smothering the small whimper that escaped her control. But she wasn’t protesting his kiss, only her response to it. She was mad to kiss him back, but she opened her mouth willingly and let his tongue invade. While they kissed, she was aware that he held her lightly. One hand held hers, the other rested against the small of her back, gently stroking her body. She could move away at any moment. He hadn’t trapped her, but she was powerless to move.

Blythe lifted her hand to his chest. So warm and vital. So different from her late husband. She had no doubts about what Tobias wanted from her, but she didn’t think she could go through with it. He might think her a tease, but she pushed against him.

The kiss softened, and then stopped altogether. His lips hovered above hers, an inch apart, his breath harsh across her tender skin. He didn’t protest the end of their kiss; he didn’t rush to apologize either.

Blythe lifted her lids slowly. Tobias studied her, his amber eyes bright with excitement, his lips parted as he breathed. She bit her lower lip, suddenly ashamed of herself. She’d never been a tease, but there was no future with him.

“Play billiards with me,” he whispered.

“Ladies do not.” Blythe swallowed. Ladies also did not allow gentlemen to kiss them witless either. She glanced toward the door. It had been left wide open after Leopold had carried Mercy out. Any one of the servants could have seen her in T

obias’ arms.

“Just one game. I’m sure if your husband had had any sense then he would have indulged you.” His grip tightened, reminding her they were still holding hands. If he lowered his head again, he could kiss her in an instant.