Darrington 01 - Marriage Minded Lord (9 page)

Flutters filled her belly from his words. Did he truly mean them? Tension stretched between them, and finally, she spoke again,
“Thank you.” She worried her bottom lip. His kindness crashed into the walls around her heart and broke holes through her defenses. In that moment she forgave him his moment of insanity from the day before. If there was a man of her acquaintance she could trust, it was Felix. Nothing in his manner indicated he’d take advantage again. “Would you like to know who my mother said my father is?”

“Very much so, if you trust me enough.” His expression sobered. “I promise you, I will not breathe a word.”

“Somehow, I feel you’re in earnest.” She lowered her voice to a whisper even though there was no one else in the shop with them. “The Duke of Amherst is my father.” She moistened her lips, and when he dropped his gaze to her mouth, flutters moved into her belly. “I want nothing from him, not even an acknowledgement. I simply wish to meet him or perhaps observe him from across a room to see if I resemble him in any way.”

“It’s not out of the realm of possibility. However, gaining access to an event where he would be present is a bit of a stumbling block.”

“I am not a grasping, desperate female, my lord. I merely want to know where I come from, to see what’s different in me that doesn’t come from my mother. This isn’t selfish, is it?” Why did she feel the need to explain to him? She merely wanted him to understand her curiosity.

“No
, it isn’t selfish. It’s perfectly natural.” He kept his voice to a whisper as if they shared a conspiracy. A half-smile tugged at his well-shaped lips. “I don’t know His Grace personally, but I know of him, and may I say, you do resemble him, though in small ways.” He narrowed his eyes. “Your coloring is much more French than English, the way you incline your chin when gearing for an argument is much like him, as is the way you hold a teacup. I shall be certain to pay more attention to him the next time I’m in his presence. Perhaps there are more.”

“Why?” Tendrils of excitement and joy climbed her spine. “Why would you do this?” In her passion, she forgot herself and clutched his arm. Muscles tensed beneath her fingertips. A clean, crisp scent wafted from him that was most pleasant
and only added to the tension of being with him in the first place. “You will not tell him of my existence, will you?”

“Absolutely not
.” He gently touched her hand, chuckling as she jumped. “That would be a breach of conduct as well as the trust you placed in me, but as to the why,” a soft laugh rumbled from his chest, “human nature interests me, and distracts me from my annoyance of being in London. If knowing a few truths about the one who you claim is your father will set your mind at ease, I will do this for you.”

“Thank you.” What was he after? No one—especially not the titled and rich—did anything without a price, and especially not
for people of her ilk. “You don’t know me well. Why would you do such a thing for me, a near stranger?”

Felix remained quiet for so long, she thought he wouldn’t answer, but then he said, “
If it were me in your position, I’d want answers too. Although, if I were you, I’d cling to my aristocratic French roots.” He allowed his gaze to travel the length of her body. “It’s something to be proud of.”

She trembled as though she felt that slow caress.

Finally, she couldn’t stand the suspense or his silence. “What will I owe you?” That look could only mean one thing. “If you have a notion that I’ll become your mistress, let me disabuse you of that idea straightaway.” Clarice glared. She refused to encourage her desire for him. Hadn’t her mother always told her that lust and nothing else would attract a man’s attention?

“
I wish you wouldn’t keep thinking the worst of me.” He popped one of the raspberries into his mouth then chewed and swallowed. “Consider it a good deed, and rest assured, I don’t plan to take advantage. If doing this will make you happy, that’s all I require.”

“Thank you.”
She set her teacup in its saucer as her hand shook. “Though I don’t understand why you would care about my happiness, my lord.”

“Let’s just say you’re not the only one who is curious about things.”
He moved his chair closer to her. “I’d prefer you to use my given name. I’ve already given you leave to say it. Please know I will not make another advance.” As he held her gaze, his twinkled with mischief. “Unless you invite me to do so.”

“That would be highly improper.”
She couldn’t help thinking what a real kiss with him would feel like. She frowned. Would letting down her guard be the first step to walking the same path as her mother? After all, being a fallen woman had to start with a single kiss. Yet, he’d just offered to arrange it so she could see her father. Surely a man bent on tumbling a woman into bed wouldn’t put himself to that much bother. Her breath caught. Her lips tingled as if he had indeed kissed her.
Tread carefully
, she warned herself.

“Improper by whose standard?” He lifted a fruit tart from the tray. “What is it you fear the most, Clarice?
Crossing class lines in order to satisfy your own curiosity or coming to care for a man who is most inappropriate?”

“I’m not certain.”
Was she coming to care for him? The rapid beat of her heart and the wild flutter of her stomach told her nothing. It could merely be desire, and that would only lead to bad places. Her thoughts scattered while Felix methodically plucked fresh gooseberries and raspberries from the tart. He dipped a forefinger into the pale pastry cream then put the finger into his mouth and sucked it off. She couldn’t take her gaze from his sensual lips and the way they closed around his finger. Her pulse accelerated. Tiny tremors bounced through her lower belly and collided with the familiar bands of fear. “Oh my.”

“It’s very tasty. I encourage you to try it.” He slid the tart shell toward her. “Enjoy. There’s nothing better than sharing a sweet with a beautiful woman.”

The tingles in her insides increased. Clarice swirled a forefinger into the pastry cream then licked the thick treat. She smiled. Traces of cognac lingered on her tongue amidst the sweetness. It reminded her of childhood days on picnics with her mother. “Mmm. I long ago learned how to make this.” She wasn’t a vain woman, but there were times when she ached to hear a compliment from a man. Encouraging him in such an endeavor wouldn’t brand her as fallen. “You find me attractive?”

“Very, and the fact you are not overly aware of it
makes you even more so.” He scooted his chair closer, and when his knee knocked against hers, tingles shot up her leg. “Why do you think I attempted to kiss you yesterday?”

“You apologized
for that.” Again, she slid her gaze to his mouth. She adored the half smile that lifted one side of his lips. What would it take for a full-fledged grin to bloom?

“I did, but that doesn’t negate me from wishing I had another chance
to do it up right. I find I cannot rid myself of the notion or the wish to know you better.”

“Oh.” She dipped her finger into the pastry cream once more and held it aloft. “Well, you did say you wouldn’t unless I gave permission.”

“I did.” Felix gently encircled her wrist with his fingers and drew her hand toward him. “Perhaps I can coax your permission in a non-threatening way.”

When he guided her cream-topped finger into his mouth, Clarice’s jaw slacked. Warmth enveloped her digit as he swirled his tongue around it. Shivery sensation slid up her arm and landed in the pit of her stomach
then continued further down to tickle between her thighs. “Oh.” He sucked the last of the cream from her finger and slipped it from his mouth. “That feels wonderful, and…” The sensations he invoked, coupled with his close proximity, made her feel like flying. Any moment now she’d melt into a heap at his feet from heated sensation. None of the men her mother had brought home had made her feel like laughing and crying at once. “You are quite potent and dangerous to a woman’s peace of mind.”

“I only wish to corrupt one woman.” He winked and even more flutters crowded her belly.

Her mother’s words leaped into her mind.
One day you’ll meet a man who will look at you with wickedness in his eyes. He will smile softly and touch you in such a gentle way you’ll promise him anything. This is not love, but it is something better and much more real.

She trembled. Was that what she felt for Felix? Lust?
The idea of it made panic climb her spine. It wasn’t what she wished from him or for herself. Why couldn’t she aspire to more?

“Do I have your permission for a kiss now, Clarice?” he asked in little more than a whisper.

“I’m…” She forced moisture into her suddenly dry throat. “I’m not certain.” How could she think of doing anything when the warmth from his mouth lingered on her finger? If she encouraged him, would that make her like her mother or give Felix the wrong impression?

“Ah.” Felix stroked the inside of her arm with his free hand.
He turned her arm over and placed a fleeting kiss on her knuckle. “What is this?” His gaze landed on the red mark she’d received from Lady Drummond’s crop. “How did you injure yourself?”

“I…” If she told him of Olivia’s abuse, there was a strong possibility he’d not believe her. “It’s nothing. I wasn’t paying attention and banged my arm into the corner of a table.”
Please don’t ask me any more questions!

“Somehow, I don’t believe you, my dear, but I’ll let the matter slide.” He smiled and the warmth from the gesture washed away the ugliness of remembering Lady Drummond’s punishment.
“I still want that kiss. Perhaps some additional persuasion then?” While chill bumps raced over her skin, he placed baby kisses on the sensitive inside of her arm. He stood and pulled her up with him, continuing his kisses along the side of her throat and the underside of her chin.

Clarice
floated on a cloud of feeling. She gave herself over to the clean scent of him and the fleeting touch of his fingers and lips on her skin. Would he kiss her mouth or did he mean to continue his teasing? Oh, she did so wish he’d press his lips to hers. His breath steamed her cheek. He was so close she discerned the faint lines at the corners of his eyes.

“What
is your answer? I cannot move forward without a word from you.”

She huffed
, annoyed at both her feelings for him and his flirting. Just this once she wanted to experience a kiss born of something more than lust, and if the wicked twinkle in his eye meant anything, it was that. Except, he wasn’t acting like a man with only bedding on his mind. “One kiss and that’s it, you naughty boy.” She didn’t care if she sounded too much like her mother. The need to feel his lips against hers was too strong. In the agonizing seconds it took for Felix to cup her face and fit his mouth to hers, she gave up worrying that passion had probably guided his actions the day before or that anyone on the street could see them if they happened to glance through the window. It didn’t matter. Nothing did except giving in and experiencing this man’s kiss.

His lips were soft but
determined as they moved over hers. She closed her eyes, letting the fleeting touch surround her. He didn’t seek to deepen the embrace or push for greater access; he simply teased her mouth with tenderness as if gaining an introduction, familiarizing himself.

It was so sweet and gentle, and so very unexpected
and out of character from the gropes and attempts at kisses from the men her mother had introduced her to, that she sighed and pressed closer to his body as his free hand went around her waist. She knew next to nothing about him, yet the kiss left her breathless and wanting more. Perhaps the only fact any two people needed to know was a corresponding need and a shared regard.

A
sneeze on the stairs and the
tap-tap
of heels striking the hardwood penetrated the haze she’d fallen into. Clarice put her palms against the hard wall of Felix’s chest and shoved. He tightened his arm. Her heart beat a frantic rhythm, but she shoved harder. “Lady Drummond is coming. You must leave.”

“I refuse to run away as if I have done something to be ashamed of.” The annoyance in his voice proclaimed him every inch the lord he was.

As she collapsed onto her chair, her gaze landed on the front of his breeches. A slight bulge betrayed his interest and set off shivers down her spine. “Then put yourself to rights.” She gave him a pointed stare. A heated wave of pleasure swept over her to know their kiss had affected him then vanished just as quickly as cold fear shot through her insides. Did that mean he’d call on her now for bed sport? Hot tears prickled the backs of her eyelids. She most certainly didn’t want a repeat of that embrace if it meant she’d follow her mother’s path, but oh how wonderful it had been. For a few glorious seconds that kiss had made her hopes of settling down and perhaps starting a family seem possible. It made her believe, however briefly, that she could be loved.

A flush crept up his neck. “Perhaps you’re right.
I’m a bit… out of sorts.” Felix pulled his chair to its original spot then sat and arranged a linen napkin over his lap, but the heat didn’t die in his eyes. “Clarice, I want to ask you—”

“No.” She didn’t want to know, couldn’t bear it if he intended to ask her to be his mistress.

“Truly, I think you’re misinterpreting me and—”

Lady Drummond swept into the tasting room. Her hair was a tiny bit wild and high color stained her cheeks. “How wonderfully coincidental to find you here,
Lord Swandon.” She glanced at him then at Clarice with narrowed eyes while patting an escaped tendril into place. “I trust you’ve been the gentleman?”