Her eyes widened.
"In fact, you have been downright ungrateful," Jacob said, enjoying himself again now that he had wrestled control of the conversation back. "My only aim is to see to your well-being, and yet you have not seen my motivation as anything but sinister."
"Come now, sinister? Surely that is not the right word? Misguided, perhaps?"
She was laughing at him now, and he refused to join her, so he continued to play the injured party.
"Misguided? What part of my actions was misguided?"
She waved a hand again. "We digress. What else did you and Lord Revel discuss?"
"You will not be happy when you hear the rest, Poppy."
"As that man has never said a word that made me happy, I am sure nothing you say can shock or upset me, my lord."
"He said you propositioned him and stole from his aunt"
Her mouth fell open and no sound came out. Color stole into her cheeks, and Jacob could tell she was genuinely horrified.
"B-but, you did not believe him? Please tell me you did not. I-I know you do not know me well, or even a little-"
"Poppy, let-"
"I know my behavior has been less than stellar," she added, rushing forward to stand before him. "And as I explained I also realize I owe you a debt of gratitude, but I would never-" She heaved out a loud breath.. "-do that with him... or anyone."
Jacob shouldn't be enjoying her discomfort so much. It was beneath him... no, really it was.
"Poppy, let me assure you-"
"The thing is... oh." She stopped suddenly, her lovely body no longer moving, as she looked up at him wide-eyed. "I worked in that brothel, therefore how can I convince you that I have not done that with him."
Despair now formed her features, and Jacob saw the tears, although they never fell. It was instinctive for him to take the single step that would close the gap between them. He reached for her good hand, clasping it tight.
"I did not believe it, Poppy."
"Really?"
"Really, and neither did Leo."
"But you know nothing of me other than what I have demanded of you, and how ungrateful I have been."
"There is that," Jacob drawled, which made her lighten. "But there is also much more."
"What more?"
As he was lowering his head as she spoke, her breath brushed his face. She tasted sweet and spicy. Her mouth was soft under his. Jacob battled with the need that lanced through his body.
"Poppy." He breathed the name against her mouth, and then his hands were on her back, closing the inches that separated them. He took her deeper; the kiss was so much more suddenly. Jacob lost reason as her hands flattened against his chest and she leaned closer.
She couldn't draw a rational thought. For the first time in her life Poppy had lost control of her own body; suddenly it was Lord Hatherton's to command. The kiss was magical, his mouth taking hers on a sensual journey from which she never wanted to return. One large hand was on her spine, moving slowly up and down, leaving fire wherever it touched. Even through her layers of clothing she could feel the heat.
"God, what am I doing!"
She was suddenly released and Lord Hatherton was now several feet away. Poppy wanted to blink to clear her fuddled thoughts, but she had seen plenty of silly young women doing that, and she was not one of those.
"I'm sorry, Poppy, that should not have happened again."
"Why did it?"
He looked harried, and she had the feeling this was not the usual look for this man. Mr. Perkins had told her that Lord Hatherton was the calmest of the Lords of Night Street. He was a rational thinker, and thorough in his investigative duties. He did also add that when riled, Lord Hatherton was a man to fear.
"I merely wanted to assure you that I did not believe Lord Revel's claims, and things got out of hand."
"By kissing me?"
Her head was reeling and her body felt strange. As a vicar's daughter, she had not stolen kisses like others in her village, simply because her father may have found out and the consequences would not have been pleasant. Although, upon reflection, if that was what they felt like, perhaps she should have taken the risk. However, she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to recreate the thudding heart, or ridiculous urge to give this man whatever he wanted. There was also the small matter of losing the ability to think. Poppy didn't have a great deal in life, but her intellect was something she prized.
"Do you do that often?"
He blinked. It didn't look silly on him; in fact Poppy doubted anything looked silly on this man. She swallowed her sigh. He was just so bloody handsome it made her toes curl.