“But you still don’t like being out in society,” he hedged.

              She turned her head and met his gaze. Their faces were less than a foot apart. Robert fought the urge to lower his gaze to her lips.

“Do you?”

              “No, I don’t. I don’t like the deceptions. I hate gossip. I don’t like being pursued for my position or money. I hate having women trying to trap me into marriage. I despise the game that I’m expected to play. I don’t want a simpering woman to bow to my every whim. It’s ridiculous.”

              She nodded in agreement as she looked away. “Yes, it is.”

              After a few moments of surprisingly comfortable silence he spoke. “May I ask why you’re here playing along if you don’t want to marry?”

              When she looked back at him his eyes dropped to her lips, her full, deliciously pink lips. He raised his gaze back quickly before he did something that he would regret.

              “A bargain, I suppose,” she said simply.

              “A bargain? Are they trying to force you into marriage? Is your family in need of money?” Another thought occurred to him, one that made his stomach twist in dread. “You weren’t caught…er…” Please don’t let her be carrying another man’s child.

              She lightly swatted his shoulder and laughed. “No! Goodness no. The men my parents are pushing my way are tiresome men like Lord Dumford.”

              He nearly choked on air.

              Her smile disappeared, instantly replaced with a worried frown. “Oh no, he’s a friend of yours and I’ve just insulted him,” she said, sounding truly upset.

              He threw his head back and laughed. “Lord Dumford a friend? No! The man quotes bible verses for fun. I couldn’t imagine a fate worse than spending an hour in that man’s company.”

              “Thanks. Your words have been really comforting,” she said dryly, earning another chuckle from him. He couldn’t remember the last time that he’d felt so relaxed in another person’s company. He normally kept his guard up, refusing to allow anyone to get the better of him.

              “I’m sorry,” he murmured before asking, “Why then are you allowing him to court you?”

              She sighed heavily. “I’m afraid my parents aren’t happy with my state of life. I’m twenty-three and while they feel that I should be married by now, I don’t. I’ve turned down every suitor who’s asked for my hand. They’re afraid they’ll end up with another spinster on their hands.” They also didn’t want her inheritance left in her control, but there was no need to tell him that.

              “How many men have asked for you?” he asked. He knew that it wasn’t proper to ask, but he somehow knew that she wouldn’t mind. She didn’t seem the type. She seemed honest and forthright. It was a welcome change.

              Her face scrunched up delightfully. “Fifty-five.”

              “Fifty-five men have asked for your hand and you’re only twenty-three? Good lord!”

              She shrugged indifferently. “I’m easy to get along with.”

              He liked that. He liked that she didn’t refer to the fact that she was incredibly beautiful or to a dowry that she might have, although he was sure that some of the men who’d asked were after both. If she had a decent dowry, she would be a well sought after target with her beauty.

              “I believe it.”

              Her hand found his. She gave it a small squeeze before releasing it. “I’m sorry. You came out here looking for some solitude.” She flicked her hand casually in the air. “I’ll leave you.” She reached down at her other side and picked up a small book with a well-worn leather cover.

              “What are you reading?” he asked. It hadn’t escaped his notice that she’d brought a book to a ball. “You sneak off a lot, don’t you?”

              She gave him a sheepish smile. “I’m afraid that I do have a tendency of making myself scarce.”

He noticed the dance card on her wrist. It was full, which didn't surprise him.

              “And the book?”

              She held it up and shrugged. “It’s one of my favorite plays. It helps me relax. I had a feeling that I would need it tonight by the way that my mother and sister were behaving.”

              He couldn’t quite make out the words from the worn cover. “Which play?”

              Her whole face lit up. She obviously took great joy from her book. “'As You Like It’ by Shakespeare. It’s my absolute favorite,” she said dreamily.

              Robert groaned. “I’m going to have to kiss you now.”

Chapter 7

              Elizabeth didn’t have a chance to respond before his lips were touching hers. She couldn’t think as he brushed his lips softly against hers, the gentle caress taking her by surprise. Her hands automatically went to his chest. She was prepared to shove him away so that she could leave before someone found them and she was forced into a marriage that she didn’t want when something occurred to her.

              What if this was her only chance to know what it was like to be with a man, a man that she actually wanted? She didn’t want to live her life full of regrets. She didn’t want to wonder what she’d missed out on by never marrying if that’s what her future held. Right then she decided that if she was going to live her life as a spinster, then she was going to enjoy this moment with….whatever his name was and give into this overwhelming attraction that she felt for him. After a moment, she allowed herself to relax and to enjoy his kisses and the sensations that were teasing and tormenting her body as she lost herself to his touch.

              He brushed his lips over hers once, twice and once again. Her mouth was soft and sweet, but it wasn’t enough. He ran the tip of his tongue over her bottom lip. She gasped in surprise, opening her mouth ever so slightly, but it was enough for him. He tilted his head to the side and deepened the kiss.

              Elizabeth didn’t know what to think when his lips moved against hers except that somehow for some reason it felt right, perfect. His kisses weren’t frantic or sloppy. They were sweet. When he teasingly slid his tongue inside her mouth she was too stunned at first to react to the invasion. Then slowly she began to melt in his arms. Her hands slid up his chest, enjoying the feel of hard muscle beneath his coat until they found his shoulders.

He groaned as he pulled her against him, enjoying himself until his damn conscience nagged at him. As wonderful as it felt to kiss her, he knew by the unpracticed strokes of her tongue and lips that she was innocent. He pulled back and looked into her eyes, praying that she wouldn’t end this. This had to be her choice, because he sure as hell wasn’t about to stop this if he had a choice in the matter.

For a moment, neither of them moved. They watched each other, panting slightly as they waited for the other to put a halt to this insanity. Slowly, he moved in, giving her a chance to stop this even as he prayed that she wouldn't. When his mouth touched hers again it was anything but timid. This kiss was hot, wild, and possessive. Words were beyond them. Robert pulled her closer until her breasts were pressed more firmly against his chest.

              Elizabeth ran her fingers through his hair, enjoying the soft feel of it. He moved his mouth away from hers, nibbling on her ear and neck. He slipped his fingers beneath the top of her gown and slowly pulled down the material, taking her shift down as well until her breasts were bared to him.

              Still neither spoke.

              He ran his tongue from her neck down to her breasts, leaving a wet trail behind that had her toes curling. Elizabeth moaned as she ran her hands down his back, encouraging him to continue when she should be pushing him away and running as fast as her legs could carry her back to the safety of the ball. He ran his tongue in a circular motion around one taut nipple before he pulled the hard pebble into his mouth, effectively killing any thoughts she might have had of ending this.

              He reached up and cupped her other breast. He weighed it in his hand, squeezed it, and ran his thumb around the firm nipple. He held the breast up for his mouth and, after one last lick of the nipple he’d been worshipping, his mouth greedily accepted the offering. He licked and sucked the large breast until she was moaning louder and digging her fingers into his shoulders, desperate for more.

              Elizabeth thought she was going to die from the pleasure he was giving her. It felt incredible. Better than she’d ever imagined, but something was missing. After a moment she realized what that something was. She needed to touch him, too. Deciding that she wasn’t going to wait for an invitation, she worked his shirt off, desperate for the contact.

              He was surprised when he felt her hands working the buttons of his coat, but immensely pleased nonetheless. Releasing her breasts, he pulled his cravat off and shrugged off his outer garments, leaving only his shirt until that too was gone.

              Elizabeth reached out with trembling hands and ran her fingers down his chest, enjoying the feel of his warm smooth skin over hard muscle. She ran her fingers tentatively over one flat nipple, making him groan. Her hands moved down to trace the muscles that made up his flat stomach. He groaned again, but didn’t say or do anything to stop her.

              She wanted to keep touching him, but her arms were effectively pinned to her sides by her dress, limiting her movements. She worried her bottom lip nervously as she pulled her arms out and pushed the dress and shift down around her waist. She watched as he ran hungry eyes over her. His response gave her the courage to continue. Pushing aside her nervousness, she leaned in and kissed him. Robert grabbed her waist and held her firmly as they kissed almost desperately.

              Never breaking the kiss, he helped her to her feet until they were both standing. He reached behind her and undid the buttons of her disheveled dress. He slowly pushed it down and waited patiently until she stepped out of her dress, leaving her naked except for her stockings and slippers. Only one person had seen her naked before and that had been her maid. She should be embarrassed, but oddly enough with him she didn’t feel shy or self-conscious. She felt beautiful, wanted and cherished.

              She watched as he kneeled down in front of her. He gently rolled her stockings down, taking her slippers off in the process. He pressed hot kisses to her skin as he made his way back to her mouth. She pulled him into her arms and kissed him hungrily, unable to get enough of him.

              His hands roamed over her body, touching her arms, breasts, stomach, back, bottom and legs. Every touch made her stomach tighten and the area between her legs ache. She wanted more, but didn’t know what.

              He seemed to know. He moved his mouth to her neck and suckled her skin on the way back to her breasts. Once he found her nipple, his hand worked its way between her legs. He cupped her and ran his fingers through slick curls. She moaned loudly, unable to help herself.

              When he slipped a finger inside her, he found her hot, wet, and ready. He groaned and moved his mouth back to hers while he worked a finger in and out of her. Soon she was moving against his finger, her body desperate for release. He couldn’t wait. He couldn’t even think of anything beyond getting inside her.

              His other hand worked frantically at his pants. With a groan, he broke off the kiss and removed his hand from the honeyed heaven he couldn't wait to explore. He reached down, pushed his pants down and pulled his boots off until he was naked as well.

              His lips quickly made their way back to hers. It was a desperate need that he couldn’t deny. He gasped and then moaned loudly into her mouth when he felt her fingers run curiously over his erection. Never in a million years had he thought that she would be this passionate, hadn’t known that it was possible.

              He reached between them and gently wrapped her hand around his length and moved it, showing her what he liked. She did it, making him pant and groan. He slid his hand back between her legs, sliding a second finger inside her until she was moaning and crying softly into his mouth. They stood there for several minutes as pleasure soared through their bodies.