She sent him a glinting look. “Really? I had quite the opposite impression. At any rate, I rather doubt that Miss Dalrymple will be able to run roughshod over us.”
“No. I foresee battles.”
“At least you will not have to witness them.” Mary forced a smile.
“I expect to be quite close to the front lines. Indeed, I may get hit by a stray ball.”
“What?” Mary looked at him, puzzled. “What are you talking about? We are going to be at the earl’s house in the country.”
“Willowmere. Yes, I will be too. I am escorting you there.”
“What?” Mary clamped her lips together to hold back a smile. “You—I thought that you would be staying here.”
“I have brought you thus far. Surely you don’t think I would abandon you now.” He continued in a more practical vein, “Oliver has business to finish in the city. I, on the other hand, am quite free.”
“But we don’t need anyone at all.” The very fact that his presence among them lightened her spirits perversely compelled Mary to argue against his coming. “We have a companion, and we will be in Stewkesbury’s coach.”
“It is always easier to have a gentleman along to arrange things,” Royce countered.
“We are quite capable of arranging things on our own.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Hoping to get rid of me?”
“No,” Mary answered honestly. “No, of course not.”
“For I find that I am quite looking forward to being with you.” He took a step forward, reaching up to brush back a strand of her hair.
Mary flushed, embarrassingly aware of the way her heart sped up at his touch. She wished that she could think of some tart rejoinder to disguise her physical reaction to him.#p#分页标题#e#
“Your new bonnet is very attractive.”
“What? Oh. Thank you. Cousin Charlotte and Lady Vivian took us shopping yesterday.” Mary cursed inwardly at her prosaic response. Why was it impossible to think when Royce stood so close to her?
“It has come a trifle askew, however.” Royce reached out and, before Mary could move, deftly untied the wide ribbons and pulled it from her head. He started to reposition it, then stopped, gazing down into her eyes.
Mary’s heart slammed against her rib cage.
“There is only one problem with it,” he murmured as he leaned closer. His voice was almost a whisper. “It makes it far too difficult to kiss you.”
She knew she should turn, should run away. Instead she went up on tiptoe, meeting his lips as they settled on hers. Sensations flooded through her, warming and arousing her. Every inch of her skin was suddenly, breathtakingly aware. She could feel the soft fabric of her dress against it, the tantalizing brush of a breeze, the heat that poured from his body so close to hers.
Royce’s mouth was soft and warm upon hers, his lips searching, opening her mouth to his questing tongue. Mary trembled, her hands going up to clutch his lapels, holding on to the only sure thing in her suddenly tilting world. His arms went around her, pressing her into him. She could feel the hard length of his body all the way up and down hers, pressing into her softness. She slid her hands up and around his neck.
She realized that she was kissing him back, her lips moving against his, her tongue meeting his in a sensual dance. Desire twisted through her, curling down into her abdomen, setting her whole body tingling in a way she had never known before.
He tore his lips from hers, moving down her throat, and she let her head fall back. His lips were like velvet on the tender skin of her neck, and she shivered, lost in a wash of unaccustomed hunger, the world around her fading into nothingness.
Royce froze, then straightened, his arms falling away from her. Mary staggered and looked up at him in surprise and confusion. In the distance, she heard Camellia’s voice calling her name, and her brain cleared in an instant. She had been standing here in a public place kissing Royce like a wanton! Like a common lightskirt!
She jerked her hat out of his hand and shoved it onto her head, hastily tying the bow beneath her chin. Her fingers went to her lips, pressing against the tender flesh. She hoped the others could not tell from the look of them exactly what she had been doing. Whirling around, she rushed out of the alcove. Her sisters and Fitz were standing at the end of the grassy strip, fortunately facing away from her. Mary started toward them.
“There you are! I’m so glad to see you!” she cried. “I seem to have gotten lost.” Hurrying up to them, she linked her arm through Rose’s. “I’m sorry. Have you been looking for me?”