The very idea of having her again fired his blood, and that thought alone was enough to have him raring and ready to go like a stud in season.
He couldn’t be expected to keep his liberties to a minimum with his thoughts diving so quickly southward. Bloody hell, he knew the woman more intimately than anyone.
More importantly, she’d meant more to him than she could ever fathom. He had thought himself in love with her, and had intended to ask for her hand before his father had convinced him that was the wrong move to make. He had cared enough to leave her behind at the house party when the first scandal broke over another couple engaging in an illicit affair—his only concern had been to protect Genny’s reputation.
His hand flexed around her hip. Her curves felt as lush as ever where his hand rested just above the curve of her bottom—he slid his hand to the left, placing it on the small of her waist between her hip and breast. Her bosom was unfortunately covered completely from view. A man could bury and happily smother himself in all that plumpness …
Genny was quick to pull away this time when the dance ended. His intention had been to keep her away from the girl, or so he led himself to believe, but really, he’d just wanted to feel her in his arms again.
Much like lead tossed in a bucket of water, the thought of charming and winning Genny’s cousin sat heavy in his gut.
Tristan had had the girl to himself for fifteen minutes. That was enough time to endear Lady Charlotte in his favor for eternity. Tristan had a certain je ne sais quoi that ladies of all ages found irresistible. So what was Leo to do? Tristan never left anything unfinished. And once Jez had made up her mind about something it was not easy to divert her attention elsewhere. It wasn’t as though they’d ruin the girl, simply steer her planned path in another direction—one far from Mr. Warren.
Leo was one step behind Genny as she weaved her way through the dancers. A few threads of her straight hair had escaped her low chignon; it must have come undone during their dance. Thank the heavens she didn’t wear a mobcap. He liked seeing her slightly disheveled, especially when he was the one to cause the disheveling.
Mamas watched their daughters from the edge of the dance floor while he followed hot on Genny’s tail like a buck in rut. There those rutting thoughts came again. He wanted to throw his hands up in exasperation. Why did this little woman turn his thoughts primitive?
Lady Charlotte’s back was to them; her hair had been coiffed with an array of perfect, corkscrew spirals. The satin bow that tied off her necklace at her nape was an enticement to all men in the vicinity. It was an invitation to touch and explore the soft feminine curves of her shoulder blades. Yet … yet, he had no desire to reach for her, not when he was closing the distance on a certain temperamental Fury.
Leo nodded to Tristan and gave his friend a meaningful glace in the direction of the woman three paces ahead of him—who just so happened to have every intention of spoiling any plans Tristan had laid the groundwork for.
Leo was torn as to whether or not he should let Genny put a stop to their devised amusement. Certainly the Ponsley chit’s feelings would be involved and she’d be crushed when she realized neither of them had any intention of marrying her once Mr. Warren found another woman to chase after.
Leo saw clearly that this was an irrational wager decided on the spur of a moment.
No, this was the right thing to do.
Mr. Warren was a product of his great-uncle, who had been an abuser of woman. They’d be saving the chit from going down the same path Jez had taken with her husband. Save her from experiencing what his stepmother had experienced before she’d met Leo’s father.
There was no reason to stop what they had planned. The girl would gain a life experience, and she could find a man more deserving of her.
* * *
Genny slid her arm under Charlotte’s, intent on taking the girl as far away as possible from both men currently in their company.
“We are needed elsewhere.”
“Cousin, you are being discourteous.” Charlotte’s blue eyes sparked in annoyance. “Let me introduce you to the Marquess of Castleigh.”
Genny pinched her lips together in an effort not to say she knew very well who he was as did every other person in attendance tonight. Everyone would want to know what the pleasure seekers had said to them and why they had singled them out.
Smooth and cunning, Castleigh bowed neatly and took Genny’s hand in his. “It’s a pleasure to make the acquaintance of the two most beautiful women at the ball. And to have you both to myself.”
His voice was like warm mead that melted down your throat and loosened any inhibitions you might have despite knowing better than to spend time with such a man. He’d weaken a woman’s sensibilities with a few pretty words and an admiring glance. A skill only the greatest rakes had, she was sure, but her experience with rakes did not extend beyond Leo.
Genny glanced at her cousin, whose gaze was raptly focused on the marquess. She herself had once been that innocent and admiring of the handsome gents who had courted her. But this man did not engage in decent courtship. She needed to guide her cousin away from the marquess. Perhaps a heartfelt conversation would enlighten Charlotte as to the man’s true nature?
“I know precisely who the Marquis of Castleigh is. You’ll do well to know, cousin, that his type is better suited to a den of iniquity than to a respectable ball.” She pulled Charlotte away from the scoundrel. “Lady Carleton wanted to discuss the seating arrangements for her upcoming dinner party.”
“Firmly rebuffed, I daresay.” Tristan laughed as though this were the greatest fun he’d had in ages.
Charlotte pulled away from her with a pointed glare. “Why should I have any say about her seating plans? You’re being incredibly rude, Genny.”
“I am positive that Lord Castleigh and Lord Barrington are not in the least offended. After all, I only speak the truth, don’t I, gentlemen?”
“How could I ever forget that you had such a sharp bite, Miss Camden,” Leo said drolly.
Before Genny could riposte, Charlotte interjected, “I really must apologize for my cousin.” Charlotte flicked her fan open. “The heat in here has obviously gone straight to her head.”
It took everything in Genny not to make an unladylike noise. Her cousin was only trying to dissolve the fast-building tension, so Genny pinched her lips shut and narrowed her gaze on Castleigh and then Leo, hopefully making her disdain known without the necessity of words.
While the marquess watched their exchange with barely concealed amusement, Leo was so raptly attuned to Genny that she thought him angry on her behalf.
Leo stepped toward her. “Take another turn around the room with me, Miss Camden.”
“The attendees might think you intend something of a permanent nature where I’m concerned, Barrington.”
“No dancing, I promise. Just a few words shared between friends of old.”
“And leave Charlotte in the clutches of your friend?” She put her shoulders back and canted her chin up. “I have a great deal more sense than you seem to give me credit for.”
Leo turned back to the marquess. “Keep company with Lady Charlotte while I take Miss Camden around the room. We’ll be but a moment.”
Then Leo had the gall to take her arm and lead her away. The hold he had on her arm was so tight that the only way to escape him would be to yank harshly away, which would cause a scene. Being on his arm was enough gossip fodder for the next week, so she wisely chose to follow him.
“What is it you think you are going to accomplish with me watching and anticipating your every move?” she asked.
He had the decency to keep her in view of all party attendees, leading her to the edge of the room but far enough from any burning ears.
“Giving us some much needed space, my dear.”
“I’m not your anything, Leonidas Harrow.”
“You once were many things to me, Genny.”
“I suggest you hold your tongue, unless you plan to ruin me in society’s eyes after all these years of doing the right thing by staying away.”
“I don’t wish to cause you any lasting damage. I merely wanted you to myself for a moment.” He grew quiet as he studied her with a critical eye. Finally, he said, “Four years is a long time.”
“What is it you are so eager to say that you had to drag me away from my cousin?”
“I want only to know how you fare. Why is it you play the role of chaperone instead of filling some house with babes of your own?”
“A bold question from the man who practically destroyed any chance I had at marriage.”
This time he was the one to narrow his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something only to close it again as they weaved their way farther away from her cousin.
“We never agreed to anything beyond that house party.”
How right he was. There had been no promises of tomorrow, only a few weeks of mutual pleasure, and a yearning on her part for more. True, they hadn’t had that conversation until after their first night together. She’d wanted more, of course, but had been reluctant to broach the subject with him for fear that their time would end prematurely. How stupid she’d been.
“There was more than one way to preserve my reputation.” Why was she even having this conversation with him?