“I am kissing you,” she breathed, and brushed her lips against his again.
His fingers drew slowly over her cheek, and a frisson of sensual awareness surged through her. “Open your mouth.”
Shock froze her, then a wave of heat seized her, making her tremble. “I—” But she tentatively parted her lips, though unsure of his intentions.
He responded with a groan and deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth.
She drew away from him, unsettled at the intimacy of his tongue sliding along hers and the startling pleasure from it. “What are— Oh, my,” she murmured when he repeated the motion.
“You are ravishing,” he murmured in satisfaction, his dark drawl rough with need. “Open more for me,” he coaxed, pressing soft kisses to the corner of her lips.
“It feels so strange, but a good strange. Are you sure—”
He stole the air from her mouth, and she forgot everything she had been thinking. His tongue slowly stroked hers, and she gave herself over to the warm, languid sensations building within her. He kissed her with gentle bites and nips, coaxing a response, and she slowly relaxed and gave him everything he asked for.
His hands slid from her neck to the side of her breast. He walked her deeper into the shadows, and she grasped his shoulders for balance as a fever of desire ignited within her. One of his hands drifted to her hips and squeezed gently. Her knees weakened until she could hardly stand as his hand curved around to her bottom.
She pulled her lips from his, gasping for air, shaking with passion and uncertainty. And a little fear. She had not expected…this…when she had asked for a kiss. She had never imagined anything so improper and scandalous. But before she could pull away from the shocking intimacy of one of his hands on her derriere and another brushing her breast, he claimed her lips once more. His tongue mated with hers in long, slow licks, unraveling her from the inside out. His hand clenched her bottom, holding her against him while his mouth devoured hers with smoldering sensuality.
His lips grew fiercer, more demanding, and she felt a twinge of apprehension. Her corset seemed unusually tight, and she labored to breathe. She drew away from him, gasping, and he let her go. What was she thinking? She should run from this scandalous situation. Yet her heart fluttered in excitement. She wanted to step back into his arms and partake of a passion she had never imagined. But she didn’t dare.
He seemed to deliberately gather himself. “Forgive me for losing control.” He raked a hand through his hair and stepped back from her. “It is best you return inside at once, Miss Hastings,” he said with a brittle smile. “I will wait an appropriate interval before leaving, so our absences are not linked.”
She nodded mutely, trying to regain her composure. She was thrilled by the night’s events, but at the same time, she was at loss to explain why the haute monde thought him a wicked libertine. He was a gentleman through and through. He’d only kissed her at her insistence. He had been concerned for her reputation, not just out for his own pleasure.
“May I have the name of your father, so I might pay my address?” he asked, his regard intense and filled with an emotion she was unable to identify.
She went giddy with excitement. She had seen the look in his eyes when he’d danced and then kissed her. It was similar to the look she’d seen in Sebastian and Anthony’s gazes when they gazed upon their wives. Constance was not foolish enough to think Mondvale had fallen in love with her, but she realized the expression must be one of desire. He was interested in her. In courting her.
She opened her mouth to answer. And froze.
Oh, lord. She had lied to him. About who she was.
Should she tell him her name was Lady Constance, and not Miss Hastings? It hurt her to think if she revealed her true identity he would be disgusted. She wanted nothing to ruin the memories she would have of him, of this magical night. She couldn’t bear it.
She swallowed down her bitter regret. “I do not think that would be wise, as we have not been formally introduced.”
He tilted his head with a rueful smile. “Of course. Then I will ensure we are properly introduced the next time I see you. Go now, Miss Hastings. Until we meet again.”
Constance forced a smile and walked away from him, hating to have to leave. This was the first time she had felt hope since the facts about her shameful birth had started circulating. Hope that her dreams of love and a family were actually possible. And with a duke, as well! If there was a chance Mondvale would seek an introduction the next time he saw her, she would not return to the country. Instead, she would respond favorably to the few invitations Anthony had secured for her.