Page 12 of Vying for a Viscount
Removing her arm from his, she tiptoed as quietly as she could to the black wrought iron bench and sat, adjusting her skirts to keep them from wrinkling. When Greyson didn’t move and made a strange face empty of emotion, her stomach tightened. She said, “Aren’t you joining me?” How pathetic she sounded.
“Forgive me,” he said, shaking his head. “I was listening for footsteps.” He strolled toward the bench as softly as possible, his boots crunching on the stone, and he shuddered. “I’m sure they just heard me. But you know what? I trust Hunter with my life. I need to learn to trust him with my sister. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather see her with than him.”
“During the times I spent in Hunter’s company while traveling in Newmarket, he appeared honest and kind, a true gentleman. He suits Anastasia perfectly. He seems able to rein in her wild nature.” Greyson chucked, and the sound eased whatever was left of the tension she’d felt moments before. “It’s nice to see you relaxing.”
“You’re right.” He reached over and took one of her hands. “I’ve been tense. I didn’t realize anyone would notice.”
As he held her hand, his thumb stroked the underside of her wrist, right across her pulse point. A most sensitive area for her, and she had trouble looking away. Not to mention that her pulse and breathing quickened, making her wonder if he noticed.
“I’ve missed spending time with you.” Greyson’s words were soft, and the truth of them melted her heart.
“I have as well.”
“May I kiss you?”
Kiss me? Yes. And anything else you want to do.“Yes.”
They both pivoted on the bench to face each other. Her kneeswere tucked between the bench and his. She tipped her chin up, met his gaze, and got lost. Deep, liquid pools of green, tinged with desire. Desire for her. That desire had her insides fluttering. He reached out with both hands, gently cupped her cheeks, and grinned as his gaze dipped to her lips, then back to her eyes. He leaned forward. Her eyes closed, and she held her breath, waiting to feel his lips on hers. When their lips connected, she became lost—lost in the sensations bombarding her from every conceivable direction.
His tongue stroked the inside of her mouth. His thumbs stroked her cheeks, igniting every nerve ending in her body. She fought the urge to climb onto his lap, curl around him, and never let him go. Instead, she kissed him with as much enthusiasm as he kissed her. Little moans and breathy sounds escaped from them both. Her heart pounded right along with his, and she secretly reveled in the fact that she affected him as he affected her.
“Christ,” Greyson broke the kiss, touched his forehead to hers, and breathed heavily. “I’d forgotten how good you taste.”
“Hmmm,” was all she could say, so moved by his kiss and words that she couldn’t find her voice.
“I hear footsteps.”
All she could hear was her heart pounding and his heavy breathing.
“Well, who do we have here?” She recognized the voice as Hunter’s.
“Hunter,” Greyson said as he pulled away from her, stood, and adjusted his jacket and cuffs, breaking their intense spell.
Letitia willed strength into her legs and stood, slipping her arm through Greyson’s in case her legs failed her. “Mr. Hunter, Lady Anastasia, what a lovely night for a stroll.”
Greyson and Hunter laughed at the same time. She didn’t miss that Hunter held Anastasia’s hand. Nor that her cheeks were pink and her lips swollen, as if she’d been kissed thoroughly. Much like sheprobably looked right now, too.
“Come,” she said, holding out her hand to Anastasia. “Let’s walk together and let the men discuss... whatever it is they discuss.”
Anastasia giggled and, as she wrapped her arm through hers, Anastasia glanced back at Hunter. Letitia couldn’t see the look she gave him, but she saw the look in Hunter’s eyes and what he felt for her in his expression. He cared for her deeply. And if she wasn’t mistaken, Anastasia felt the same. She didn’t need to witness the look she gave him to know. Her emotions were all over her face when they first approached.
“How did you like the musicale?” Letitia asked, needing to change the subject. All these emotions swirling between Hunter and Anastasia and Greyson and her were unsettling. Beautiful, sacred, and private, and she was afraid she might break down and cry.
“Come now, Letitia,” she whispered. “Ask what you really want to know.”
“I really want to know if you enjoyed the musicale.” She paused, then inhaled deeply. “Am I that obvious?”
“Yes. I like Hunter. Always have. I just can’t believe he cares for me. He’s known me forever, and I wasn’t always kind or even-tempered. He has seen me throw a temper tantrum and treat Greyson badly.” She giggled. “Of course, I was a child then. Thank goodness he sees me as a woman now, not that spoiled girl acting out to get everyone’s attention. Being a twin was difficult at times as Aurora and I competed for attention.”
“I’m glad he sees you for who you are now. He looks at you as a man looks at a lady he’s smitten with.”
“You mean how my brother looks at you?”
Letitia’s heart leaped. “He does?”
She nudged her shoulder against hers. “Don’t be coy with me. He never left your side in Newmarket.”
“But he’s been back in London since early July, and tonight wasthe first time I’ve seen him. I was starting to think he wasn’t interested in me anymore. You can hardly blame me for thinking that.”
