The air snapped, charged with the same energy that fueled them.
He settled between her legs, shuddering at the tidal wave of pleasure. He swallowed her moans with his kiss, completely out of his mind to devour. To touch. To taste-
The bush next to them rustled, jerking him out of the sensual haze. His elbows shot out to cage her head as he hunkered down, shielding her identity from prying eyes.
She stilled beneath him, controlling her breathing as she strained to hear.
After a few minutes, he relaxed and gently moved off her. He reached down for her hands, drawing her up beside him.
"What was it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes scanned the foliage surrounding them. "I'm not sure. I heard something in the bushes."
"Something or someone?"
"I don't know," he said honestly. He wasn't going to lie to her about that. As much as he wanted to relieve her fear, he wouldn't be dishonest with her. "If I had to guess, I would say an animal."
Her body relaxed in relief. "Good."
She smiled up at him. How just one small smile affected him so much, he had no idea. But seeing joy in her eyes only made him want to put it there more.
She dusted her skirts. "Shall we continue? Or is that enough for today?" Her eyes twinkled devilishly, and his body reacted. Minx.
"I think there's one more thing we need to cover today."
"Yes?"
He stalked toward her, and her eyes hooded. He leaned down toward her ear as she shivered from the close contact, the movement feeding his ego, and whispered, "Shooting."
Laughter bubbled from her lips. "I asked for that."
"You really did."
He pulled a derringer out of his back pocket. "This weapon will suffice for now, but we'll purchase one specifically for you. This is a more masculine design, but there are pistols made for ladies. It's small and easily concealed in your reticule or skirts. The downside is that it only has one shot. And that shot must count. If it isn't a critical hit, there is a very real chance your assailant will still be able to overpower you, despite the wound."
He taught her all about the weapon, how to shoot it, how to reload. After an hour, he was confident that she could hit a target, at least a still one. It was a start. "I think we've covered all we can today. You've done well."
"Thank you." Her cheeks colored from the compliment. "I appreciate you taking the time to teach me."
He took her hand in his. "Knowing you have these skills eases my mind. If you're ever in a situation where you need to defend yourself, you have that ability. We'll practice each day, and your accuracy will increase as you become more comfortable with the weapon."
He didn't release her hand, even when finished. He wasn't ready to relinquish the connection. Threading their fingers together, they reentered the passage leading back to the library. Making sure the room was empty, he escorted her into the brightly lit space.
The minute the panel closed, Henry entered the room. "A situation has developed, my lord."
Derek's stomach dropped. "What kind of situation?" Henry glanced to Charlotte in question. "Speak freely."
"Lady Charlotte was seen in a compromising situation with you. The house is filled with the gossip. Lady Charlotte's parents are waiting in your study to see what can be done."
Derek swore softly. This was all his doing. If he hadn't kissed her, or if he'd been more careful, this never would have happened. He'd never been caught unaware in his career. "Tell them we'll be there shortly."
Charlotte's face lost all color. "Not an animal?"
"No."
She spun away. "No, no. This cannot be happening."
"It is. It has," he whispered. Uncertain eyes met his. "We'll fix this."
He believed that with every fiber of his being. He would fix this. He would make this right. It was his brashness, his complete lack of control where Charlotte was concerned that had gotten them in this mess. There was only one thing to do-one course of action they could take to save her from ruin.
As he followed Charlotte toward his study, his heart was lighter. She would be his. Only his. Forever.
That thought pulled something primal from him. Satisfaction filled him. He wanted Charlotte. Hadn't he needed to move on from this life anyway? She already knew his secrets. He'd never have to hide his past from her. He desired her. More importantly, he liked her. How many ladies of the ton could he say that about?
Compromising her wasn't the way he wanted to get a wife, but he wouldn't argue the semantics.
He was getting Charlotte.
Chapter 14
Charlotte dreaded each step she took toward the study. The one thing every young woman was warned against was a scandal of this magnitude. Perhaps if they'd realized they'd been seen …
No, she couldn't think like that. There would be no what-ifs in this situation. Just the grim facts. And the plain truth was, she was compromised. Ruined.
"Oh, Mother," Charlotte gushed when she saw her mother's tears. "Please don't cry, Mama."
"I'm sorry, darling. I'll try to refrain."
Derek nodded to her rumpled father, a state she'd hardly ever seen him in. "My lord."
"Viscount Lawrence," her father greeted grimly. "I'm afraid there's no way to pussyfoot around the issue. You and Charlotte were seen in a compromising situation. If this is false, I will see that the person responsible for spreading such lies pays."
Derek's chin notched up. "It's true."
"I see." Her father's shaky legs lowered him to a chair. "I'm sorry for this. I really am. I know that you've done your best to protect her, that you've taken much upon yourself for her sake. I never wanted this to happen."
Charlotte's heart clenched. She'd never disappointed her parents in her life. She couldn't bear this, couldn't stand their disappointment in her, her circumstances, or Derek. "It's all right, Papa. We'll work through this. I don't know how we will fix this, but we will."
"We will marry."
Charlotte's eyes jerked to Derek's, her heart stuttering. "We'll what?"
Her father nodded in relief. "It's best that way."
Derek didn't glance in her direction. "I'll make all the arrangements."
Panic set in. She jumped from her chair. "Now, wait just a moment. I never agreed to marry anyone."
"Dearest..." Her mother reached for her hand, but Charlotte jerked away from the gentle touch.
"No. I will not be given away because of a scandal. I won't be forced into a marriage that I don't want and certainly not with a man who doesn't want to marry me. Derek has done so much already. He's protected me and taught me skills that might save my life one day. I will not repay him by forcing him to tie his life to mine."
Charlotte's harsh breathing echoed in her ears as silence descended on the group. But she didn't care what they had to say. Her mind was made up. She hadn't wanted to marry for fortune, a better connection, or even for children. There was only one reason she wanted to marry, and that was for love.
Loving him wasn't enough.
A yawning emptiness expanded within her, and she feared she'd be sick. A life with Derek but without his love …
Her stomach clenched, her eyes meeting Derek. What she felt for him was more than she'd ever felt for another. But now all that was ruined.
"Would you two allow me a moment of privacy with Charlotte, please?" Derek's eyes never left hers even though he addressed her parents.
Her father nodded. "We'll be outside."
Neither spoke after her parents shut the door, just eyed each other warily.
"I won't do it, Derek. I can't."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to get married," she lashed out. Couldn't he tell how much this hurt her? How much she grieved over what might have been?
"Ever?" His head cocked. "You don't ever want to get married?"
"Perhaps someday. When it's right."
"And this isn't right?"
"No! Not in any way is this right. I won't have you forced to marry me. I won't allow it."
He took a hesitant step toward her, then another. "Do I look forced?"
She snorted. "It sure felt forced in here a minute ago."
"Look at me." He stood in front of her now, but she refused. "Look at me," he said again, pulling her chin up with his finger. "I want you, Charlotte. If that wasn't apparent outside on the grounds, I don't know what else could convince you of that. I want you so much it hurts."
She gulped, feeling a tug of desire at his words, at the heated look in his eyes. "Wanting me isn't enough. You can't tell me you haven't wanted other women before. Have you married them all?"