Earl of Sussex by Tammy Andresen

Author:Tammy Andresen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-01-09T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

N erves fluttered in her belly as she made her way toward the dance floor. Her trembling hand reached up to adjust the domino mask on her face for the hundredth time in the last half hour.

Luke was late. But rather than irritation, a small smile touched her lips. It was a trait she found endearing rather than annoying, a little window into who he was. A man who rarely followed social convention.

But all the same, she hated these events and it would be so much more bearable by his side…in his arms.

A hand brushed her back and she turned smiling broadly, expecting to see Luke, but it wasn’t him. The Marquess of Crummell stood appraising her. “My lady,” he grinned back, not realizing it wasn’t a smile meant for him. “I must confess, your greeting fills my heart with joy.”

She bit back a sigh. She couldn’t very well tell him that it hadn’t been meant for him. “I’m glad, my lord.” She took a half step away. “If you will excuse me.”

He reached for her hand. “I’d like to ask for a dance, if I may.”

With a tight smile, she offered her card to him and he placed his name in not one, but two places.

Drat. It would limit her time with Luke. Her opportunity to sneak away with him and allow him…

Her thoughts ended because he was there, behind her. She felt rather than saw him, but she knew it was Luke by the way her body tightened, filling with a tension she couldn’t name.

His warm breath blew across her exposed neck. Goosebumps rose on her arms and she longed to melt back against him. But it simply wasn’t proper. Not that what she planned was proper.

Without a word, he took her dance card and wrote his name for three dances, all in a row. Crummell spluttered. It was scandalous. Without a formal commitment, it wasn’t done.

As Crummell had placed himself for the next set, he offered her his elbow. “Might I sit with you while we wait?”

Her eyes darted to Luke. He watched her with unwavering attention, his dark eyes smoldering. She had so much to say to him. The longer she’d thought about the events from the day before, the more she wanted to throw herself into his arms. He’d saved her and her sister. She wanted to apologize for being such a fool, kiss every inch of his face as a thank you, and then beg him to touch her…everywhere. Merciful heaven, she was supposed to be testing his resolve. Would he make love to her and then leave her? She wasn’t sure it mattered. He had her heart now. Even if he rejected her, would she want to take it back?

She started at the realization and her eyes widened. She was in love with him.

He moved closer, blocking Crummell. “Answer the man. He asked to sit with you.” The intensity was still heating his gaze but a small smile played at his lips.

“Oh, I apologize.

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