The Scandal in Kissing an Heir by Sophie Barnes Page B

be able to hold his interest. She was smart and funny, engaging to talk to . . . exceedingly beautiful. If there was any woman of whom he wouldn’t tire, then it was her. He would not be able to offer her love, since that would mean letting down his guard and becoming vulnerable, but he would be able to make her smile. And with time, he’d prove himself worthy of her by doing precisely what she didn’t think him capable of—staying faithful to her, and her alone.
    H appy with his plan, Daniel climbed the rungs of the ladder as it bowed to his weight the following evening. Reaching the window, he tapped three times and waited. From within, he could see a blurry figure moving through a yellow glow of light toward him. A click sounded, the window opened and Lady Rebecca’s smiling face came into view. God, she was beautiful.
    “Right on time,” she said as he climbed over the windowsill.
    “Like thieves, we rakes are well aware of the importance of punctuality. As much as a second too late or too early could lead to unpleasant consequences.” Seeing Laura, he nodded his head in her direction. “Good evening.”
    “And like thieves, rakes take great pleasure in stealing that which does not belong to them,” the maid said, her eyes locking with his in a silent acknowledgement of the danger he posed to her mistress.
    So she hadn’t warmed to him yet. Ah well. She would come around sooner or later, but for now, he decided to shock her instead. Without looking away, he told her seriously, “I can assure you, Laura, that when it comes to me, the lady takes equal pleasure in giving me what I desire.”
    Laura’s jaw dropped. “You . . . you . . . cad!” she stammered, her hands waving about in a mad gesture, as if she hoped to somehow shoo him from the room.
    Rebecca, on the other hand, was giggling wildly. “You mustn’t tease her like that, Mr. Neville. It’s terribly inconsiderate of you.”
    Whoever said anything about teasing?
    “My apologies,” he said with a slight bow in Laura’s direction. “I meant no harm—truly. You have my word that I will be on my best behavior, but what you said led to the possibility of a rejoinder too tempting to be ignored. Can you forgive me?”
    Eyes moving from Lady Rebecca to him and back again, Laura looked undecided. She eventually nodded, much to his relief, and took her seat in the corner, where, picking up her needlework, she looked positively oblivious to anything going on around her. Daniel knew better though. He’d pressed his luck with the joke and would not risk jeopardizing his chance of enjoying Lady Rebecca’s company any further. No; he must behave as the perfect gentleman even if he was tempted to do otherwise, and Lord help him if he wasn’t tempted.
    How he longed to run his hands along the edge of Lady Rebecca’s shoulders, to plant a row of kisses across the back of her neck as he eased the sleeves of her gown down over her arms, exposing her breasts. He could well imagine how they would feel in the palms of his hands, had considered it repeatedly since making her acquaintance . . . thoughts that led to restless nights of aching need and unfulfilled pleasure.
    Clenching his hands, he made a stoic attempt to ignore the stirring desire that threatened. He could not allow it to show—would not embarrass himself or her in that way. So he followed her quickly to the table and chairs instead and promptly sat, removing all evidence from view. Belatedly, he recognized his mistake. A gentleman did not take his seat before a lady. Unfortunately, he’d been left with little choice. He moved with the intention to get back up, but before he could manage it, she’d thankfully taken her seat as well.
    “My apologies,” he said. “That was ill mannered of me.”
    Saying nothing to the contrary, she simply began pouring the tea. “Think nothing of it.” Her voice was sweet like music when she finally spoke, with that trace of humor that always made her