Page 18 of Hot and Bothered in July
He had to force himself to behave since they were on a public street. Otherwise, she would have paid for that seductivetone. “Ah. The sweetest sound in the world.” He allowed his lips to curve slightly. “Until I can find a way to secure you in a bedchamber that is. No doubt the moans and gasps you express during an orgasm will be?—”
She wrinkled her nose in frustration, and he thought he detected a slight bit of freckles along the bridge as her flesh reddened slightly. “Shall you be this insufferable in the country?”
He laughed. “Undoubtedly. Do you not know by now that bedeviling you is one of my favorite pastimes?”
“I am starting to see that, yes.”
She sent him a coy smile that further endeared him to her. He knew that things were going too far too fast, but he couldn’t stop it from happening. There was a connection between them that was undeniable. She might be too naive to understand the dangers, but he was not.
He remained with her until they had reached Hyde Park, where he decided that perhaps he should take his leave. He was about to depart when another voice interceded.
“Miss Kent.”
Reed glanced up and saw an elderly gentleman tipping his hat as he passed them by on the park path. He did not spare more than a glance at Reed as he continued walking with his silver headed cane tapping at his side.
“Your Grace,” Sariah murmured politely.
Reed glanced at her. “Was that the Duke of Ganoway?”
“It was.”
He looked after the retreating figure. “I have been trying to gain an audience with him for weeks but he never seems to be available...”
She smiled. “Allow me to introduce you.” She lifted her skirts and easily caught up to the older gentleman. As she approached him, they had a brief conversation. Reed had not yet caught up to them and could not hear what was being said, but as the duke turned to look behind him, he shook his head and appeared to walk on. Reed paused, but Sariah did not seem to accept the retreat and continued to appeal to the gentleman. He did not break his stride, but Reed could tell his posture was starting to become annoyed. Reed decided it was time to intercede before the duke had an apoplexy in the middle of Rotten Row.
“...I said I was not interested!”
Reed caught the final snippet of the duke’s words, and it became clear what they had been discussing. “Pardon the intrusion,” he interjected smoothly. He discounted the duke and kept his focus entirely on Sariah. “Shall we continue our enjoyment of this lovely day, my lady?”
The duke gave an annoyed sniff, but he was ignored.
“Of course, Mr. Carrington. I should behonored.” She lifted her chin and shot a speaking glance at the duke, who continued on his way, completely unrepentant for his actions.
As they resumed their stroll, Reed heard her mumble under her breath, “The old curmudgeon.”
Reed knew what she was referencing without having to utter another word. Discrimination because of his upbringing was something he was well used to by now. “Do not concern yourself with his refusal. I should not have asked you to approach him.”
“I did not know he was so prejudiced,” she said in frustration. “It was wrong of him to treat you in such a crude manner. You deserve much more regard than what he just showed to you.”
He stopped and with a slight smile curving his lips, he lifted her hand to his lips where he gently placed a kiss. “Your gallant interception on behalf of my honor is more appreciated thanany agreement I might have made with the duke. Thank you, Sariah.”
He offered her his arm again and she accepted without hesitation.
Chapter Eight
Sariah settledinto her father’s coach opposite her parents who had also been invited to Marquess Harville’s house party. Her maid, Sophie, was riding with their coachman.
At first, Sariah was disappointed that Reed had not chosen to travel with them, but he’d told her that the marquess himself had offered to send a carriage and he hadn’t wanted to refuse such a generous offer. Although he was undoubtedly correct, she wished that he’d declined the offer, because it would have been an infinitely more enjoyable journey had he done so. As it was, she was stuck watching her father read while her mother dozed in the corner. She was bored senseless.
Not only that, but she looked forward to their time together. Once her prejudices had softened toward him since their initial interaction at the Pond, she realized that he was more than just a rake. He truly was a noble gentleman. It truly was a pity that he hadn’t been born into the aristocracy, as their betrothal might have been in truth, rather than a fabrication. For someone who had long abhorred marriage, that was saying a lot.
It still angered her that the Duke of Ganoway had treated Reed so harshly. Just because he had a glorified title, it didnot mean that he had the right to treat others as he pleased. At least she could take heart that he was not that well favored in society. He had long been known as someone who was particularly contrary and now Sariah understood why. If getting to know Reed had taught her anything, it was that it made her more empathetic to others similar to his situation. She had been raised to understand the difference in stations within society, and yet, she was starting to learn that those divides were entirely too wide for her tastes. Just because someone was born a commoner, it did not make them any less worthy of notice or regard. As a woman, she had long understood those divisions, however she had not fully considered that it was not just women who suffered the same fate. It made her more determined to see that everyone deserved the same equal standing.
Of course, at the same time she had been considering these injustices, Sariah found it difficult not to keep replaying the kiss she’d shared with Reed on the terrace. Every time the vision fluttered through her mind she grew warm, her stomach erupting in a flurry of butterflies although it had been a couple days since it had occurred. The gentle kiss he’d bestowed on her hand the day before at the park had only brought that fiery sensation tumbling back into her awareness. She was equal parts excited—and nervous—about spending an entire fortnight in Reed’s company. Granted, her father would be present for much of that time and they would be forced to separate from various events, but there would surely be ample opportunity for them to sneak away from the festivities and find a quiet moment alone.
The prospect of kissing Reed again definitely held certain appeal. She’d very much enjoyed it the first time and had yearned for an encore ever since.
And if they should be caught? They were betrothed, after all.
