A Certain Wolfish Charm(22)

Lily raised her nose at him. "I'll be along in a moment, Your Grace." Then Emory regained her full attention.



Simon felt his hackles rise and was one step from baring his teeth at one of his oldest friends when Will stepped forward. "I imagine we'll see you at this ball your sister seems obsessed with, Emory." Will touched the man's shoulder and turned him toward the door, shooting a warning glare at Simon. Will's warning should have been saved for Emory because he was the one in imminent danger, Simon thought.



Emory was oblivious to the fact that his life was in jeopardy. "Miss Rutledge, I would be honored if you'd allow me to escort you to the assembly room on Friday night."



Simon growled.



"Well, I—"



Simon snarled, "If Miss Rutledge insists on attending a party, she will be escorted by me, Hawthorne."



"I will?" Lily asked, one hand fluttering to land on her chest.



If only his lips were upon that chest, Simon thought. He tore his gaze away from Lily's cleavage when Will said, "Why don't we all go together, Emory? We can meet you both at Langley Downs beforehand."



"Oh, William," Prisca began, feigning sweetness. "If you wanted to escort me to the ball, you had only to ask. No need for an elaborate ruse to get me into your coach." She winked at Lily.



Will muttered under his breath, "If it saves your brother's life, I would agree to take you to the altar." Simon's keen hearing picked up the words, though he was beyond caring.



Simon stalked slowly toward Emory Hawthorne, who still stood too close to Lily for comfort. Emory paid no heed to the warning look he sent him, so Simon bumped his shoulder against the man.



Emory stumbled to the side.



"Pardon me, Hawthorne," Simon said as he took Lily's elbow in his hand and prodded her away from the group.



"Honestly, Blackmoor," Lily complained. "I told you I'll be along in a moment." She yanked her arm from his grasp. He allowed it, but only for a moment.



"Now, Lily!" he said, grasping her elbow more firmly. He was prepared to drag her, if need be, though it would be better for the neighbors if she came willingly.



"It's all right, Lily," Prisca said, her eyebrows drawn together in concern. "You'd best do as he says. He looks ready to devour you right here and now."#p#分页标题#e#



Only Prisca would make such an incendiary statement in such a public place. Though Simon supposed his behavior warranted her waspishness.



"I'll send a coach for you tomorrow, Lily, so we can prepare for the ball," Prisca continued as Simon pushed Lily around the corner.



"Thank you," Lily called back as he led her into his study and slammed the door. Then she glared at him, her pretty, hazel eyes darkening. "Honestly, Your Grace!"



"Simon," he said absently, running a hand through his hair in desperation, trying to rein the beast back under control, trying to figure out why it drove him to distraction to see other men fawning all over her.



"Simon what?" she asked, confusion on her face.



"I'm tired of you 'Your Grace-ing' me. You call Will by his name."



"Is that what this is about? Why you manhandled me in front of your neighbors?"



"I did not manhandle you."



"You most certainly did. That had to be one of the rudest displays of temper I have ever seen." Lily rubbed her elbow.



Had he harmed her? Simon looked over her person. Her chest was pink and rosy, a symbol of her anger. Her cheeks were bright red, and her breasts rose with every agitated breath.



Her breasts. Her breasts rose with every breath. His gaze danced across her décolletage, willing the flesh to rise a little more so his eyes could greedily devour her skin. She noticed his stare and covered her chest with her hand.



"Perhaps, Simon, you should just undress me and get it over with, instead of simply undressing me in your mind."



Simon instantly hardened at the thought. He took two steps closer to her. "Perhaps I shall."



***





Lily immediately forgot the pain in her elbow as he walked closer. What was he doing? She hadn't really laid down a challenge. She held up one feeble hand, as though that would hold him off.



It didn't.



Lily danced sideways, putting a chair between them. Simon pushed it over. As it thumped against the rug, she fled to stand behind his desk.



"Simon, what has come over you?" she shrieked. Her voice sounded painful to her own ears. Though it did not affect his, not if his present conduct was any indication.



"I want to see if I hurt your elbow, Lily," he said quietly, his voice no more than a low hum.