Scarlet Kisses (27 page)
Authors: Tish Westwood
“Agreed. I would never have thought it, but Sebastian definitely flourishes in the realm of married life.”
“I assumed that is why you were made to dance attendance tonight.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I understood from my mother that your mother wants you to settle down.”
He grimaced and she laughed. Her brother had worn that look more than once before meeting Colleen.
“Yes. My mother rang peal over me again claiming I am a doddering old fool who must marry.”
“The problem would be finding a woman who would marry you.”
He smiled and she tried to ignore the way her heart skipped.
“True. But my mother assures me there is any number of young ladies who would be interested.”
Her heart squeezed at the thought of him marrying some debutant. She knew it would come to this one day. He would have to marry, being the only son. But still, there was a twinge of pain when she thought of him marrying some faceless, brainless debutant.
“Ow.”
She realized she was squeezing his hand. “Do forgive me.”
“I am assuming you are here for the same reason?”
She snorted at the suggestion. “I think not. Mother thought it important that I attend, being family. Apparently, Cicely still worries about being accepted within certain circles.”
“I daresay she will never have a problem, especially with the title of duchess and after providing the duke with an heir.”
Anna nodded and glanced fleetingly at her cousin. Three years earlier, the radiant beauty had been a wallflower more comfortable with her books than people. Falling in love with Douglas had changed that, although she was the same sweet woman.
“We know that, but Cicely does not. You understand.”
He did of course because Daniel was as close as family, closer in a lot of ways that most of the ton did not know. He knew the rumors about Cicely, knew the truth of them. She knew there was not much her brother did not share with him.
“Your mother used that to get you out tonight?”
She made a face. “Partially, because she knows I would do anything to help my cousins. She also thinks that my choice in activities is not good.”
“I have to disagree.”
That surprised her and some of what she thought must have shown on her face.
“Why do you look so astonished?”
“You disagree with my mother?”
He inclined his head. “While I am not sure exactly what they are, your brother said something about the orphanage? You enjoy it. You do good work knowing you. I have to admire that.”
A warm glow of excitement rolled through her. Most of the men of their class thought of her activity as a waste of time. Only her brother and sister-in-law seemed to think it a worthy cause.
“Still, I can also understand your mother wanting you to get married. Can you not continue your activities and be married?”
She shook her head. “Some men might not have a problem with it. That is not what holds me back. I decided three years ago that I would not marry. It isn’t for me.”
The music ended. They stopped dancing but Daniel did not release her. The world fell away, the chattering debutants, the clink of glasses, even the people who stepped around them to leave the dance floor. Heat gathered in her tummy as she stared up into his eyes. Something changed, darkened the gold. She felt the need to move away from that look, from her own need to believe in it, but at the same time, she wanted to step closer, feel his arms wrap around her, pulling her against his body. Every bit of moisture dried up in her mouth as her breasts grew heavy. He stepped closer, leaning his head closer to hers.
“The music is done, Bridgerton. Move along.”
Lord Smythe’s nasty voice sliced through the spell they both seemed to have fallen under. Daniel dropped her hand and stepped away. The look he shot Smythe probably would have made most men run away in terror…and Smythe practically did that as he scurried off the floor with his dance partner. Daniel drew in a deep breath and offered her his arm. Tentatively, she placed her hand on it. Daniel easily guided her through the crowd back to their mothers and the gaggle of men who seemed destined to irritate her. Daniel bowed over her hand.
“Thank you for the dance, Lady Anna,” he said, his voice deepening on her name. Wet heat slid through her.
She nodded but could say nothing. Her mind was still spinning, her body yearning to be near him again. He turned quickly, but not before she saw him give both their mothers an almost imperceptible nod.
A sharp shard of pain pricked her heart. She had known that he had been doing it as a favor to her brother, but seeing him acknowledge it in front of her was humiliating. No one else seemed to notice as the conversation flowed around her. She smiled and pretended to listen to the men. But really, how could she pay attention to men who talked more of themselves than anyone or anything else. Surreptitiously, she watched Daniel as he made his way through the crowd, smiling and greeting acquaintances.
Scarlet Kisses
Tish Westwood
When you walk on the wild side of society, the greatest danger could be to your own heart.
Passions Unveiled, Book 1
Alyssum Rosewood has just come to a shocking realization. Her life is
boring
. Visions of spinsterhood dancing in her head, she dons a dramatic red gown and sneaks out to attend Lady Brook’s infamous masquerade ball, where a gentleman sweeps her into his arms and steals a kiss that reveals a passion she never dreamed existed. But then she learns his identity—the reckless and improper Viscount Lambert, her overprotective brother’s best friend.
Robert Lambert finds the lady in red captivating. Her kiss quickens his heart and her innocent yet wicked touch sets his body on fire. But she slips from his grasp and flees before he can remove her mask. Come hell or high scandal, he will find his fiery little temptress.
Certain Robert will be horrified to learn she is the woman whose shocking behavior aroused his lust, Alyssum desperately tries to hide the truth deep in her heart. But with every look, every touch, every kiss, she comes ever closer to throwing caution to the wind…
Warning: This book contains a hidden love, a possessive brother, scoundrels and fistfights. A scarlet gown, ladies sneaking into taverns and a heroine who has just been awakened into the world of pleasure.
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
11821 Mason Montgomery Road Suite 4B
Cincinnati OH 45249
Scarlet Kisses
Copyright © 2012 by Tish Westwood
ISBN: 978-1-60928-806-8
Edited by Heidi Moore
Cover by Lyn Taylor
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: June 2012
