Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
His eye thumped and he could barely see out of it. A shame for he’d never known Lady Isabella to be so attentive to him before, but he could certainly get used to her mothering.
He breathed deep the smell of her sweet scent, roses if he could discern the aroma as she settled a cold compress to half his face, trying to alleviate the swelling.
Thankfully his mouth had not as yet been impacted, and Ravensmere, who had settled him in an upstairs guest room, was in agreement that the doctor wasn’t required at this time.
“I think it’s coming down a little, but it’s still terribly swollen.
I’m not sure you’ll make it to the Craigmore ball this evening.
” Lady Isabella’s plump lips pursed and he couldn’t help but get the impression she did not care that he wasn’t going to make the ball this evening.
“How disappointed Lady Leveson will be that you may miss seeing her. I’m certain this afternoon’s plans had left her a little melancholy, after she recovered from her near miss with the bee that is. ”
He grinned, unable to help but wonder if Lady Isabella was sounding far too pleased by his canceled plans. “You’re not jealous are you, Bells? If you want me to call on you and spend some time alone, I’m more than happy to oblige.”
Her eyes widened before they narrowed in annoyance.
He chuckled.
“You’re a cad. I’d rather you be with Lady Leveson than here, all swollen and deformed while still trying to flirt as if you’re your normal self.”
“My normal handsome self?” He waggled his brows and before he could say another word, she lifted the cold compress, flipped it over and slapped it down on his face again.
“Ouch, that almost hurt as much as the sting.”
“Good.” She stood, but before she could take a step away from him he reached out and clasped her hand, pulling her close to the bed. “For all my teasing, Bells, I do appreciate your care.”
Her maid who sat beside the window cleared her throat, still reading the same book she had in the park. Whitmore let go of her hand, but not before lifting it to his lips and kissing her palm.
She wrenched her hand free and shook her head. “You need to behave yourself, my lord. You know I’m not interested in your antics or teasing, so do please save up all your abilities for those who are in want of them.”
He shuffled up on the bed and crossed his arms. “I cannot believe my flirtations have no sway with you. You cannot be as cold as marble. There must be a heart in there somewhere.”
“You do not want my heart any more than I wish to give it out, especially to a man who would only break it. You’re not the type of gentleman who is loyal to one. You’re too busy pleasing far more women than you should.”
“I do please very well. Are you not even a little curious as to why I’m so sought after?
” He ought not speak to her in such a way.
He was teasing and bating her into a conversation she felt she did not entirely understand.
Possibly did not even grasp the full meaning of his words. Still, he did not stop.
She sat on the chair at the side of his bed and stared at him, nonplussed. “I do not care to know, but no doubt you’ll enlighten me in any case.”
“Ishouldn’t enlighten you, although I think you could use some education.
” And he’d like to be the man who brought that to her.
In his bed. He threw back the bedding and moved to sit at the side, his knees pressing against hers.
“I should leave. I think my face is starting to return to normal and I have the Craigmore ball to attend. Must keep the ladies happy after all.”
“Should you always keep the ladies happy? Why can you not keep but one happy and be satisfied?”
He met her eyes and drank in the sight of her.
She was so very beautiful, one of the handsomest women he’d ever met.
No, that wasn’t entirely true. She was the most beautiful.
A shame she hated him so very much and spoke to him with so much disdain and annoyance that he often wondered why she bothered in the first place.
Still, they were sort of related, through his brother and her sister, so mayhap she felt a little obligated to be kind to him.
“Lady Isabella, may I return to our rooms? I need a moment if possible.”
Lady Isabella turned to her maid and nodded. “Of course. I’m finishing up here in any case. I will return soon myself. Just leave the door open, and that will suffice.”
Hartley watched the maid leave, and the idea they were alone and unchaperoned spurred a part of him he ought to ignore. “Finally I have you alone and all to myself.”
She raised one annoyed brow. “And just what do you think you’re going to do now that we are alone? I’m not one of your many admirers, Lord Whitmore. Quite the opposite in fact.”
“Maybe I’ll convert you. It’ll be my greatest triumph yet.
” The idea of having her as his filled his blood with adrenaline.
He’d always known she’d disliked him, not that he could fully comprehend why, maybe it was his teasing.
His recklessness in society, his inability to behave that went against her morals.
But to know that he’d triumphed against her better judgement, that she succumbed to his charms was an elixir far headier than anything else.
She glanced at his swollen eye and he remembered he was far from looking his best. “Even swollen like a monster I can see your interest in me.” He paused, grinning. “Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me that you have not thought of us alone. Of what my kissing you would feel like.”
Lady Isabella gasped and pushed against his shoulder.
He reached up and held her hand there, refusing to let her go.
“Admit it. You’ve thought of us in that way.
I cannot help but wonder all our arguments, our disagreements and opposite positions on things is your way of keeping from falling at my feet like every other woman has.
” He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing her fingers.
“Tell me you haven’t thought of my tongue teasing yours.
Of our mouths fused, hungry and starved for the other.
Tell me that even now, you’re not even a little interested in what us being together would be like. ”
She swallowed, before schooling her features.
“Are you well, my lord? I think the bee sting has altered your mind, for I do not wish for you to kiss me, my hand or anywhere else on my person.” She wrenched her fingers free and stood, striding for the bell pull and tugging it hard.
“I think you’re delusional and need to return to your home. ”
“You rang, my lady?” a footman asked at the door a moment later.
“Yes, send a note to the mews for Lord Whitmore’s carriage to be brought around front. He’s leaving now.”
“Of course, my lady.” The footman bowed and was gone no sooner than he arrived.
“I’m fully aware of my faculties, Bells as well you know. Do not pretend that as much as we may dislike each other, we lust for each other too. The two do not have to be exclusive.”
She barked out a laugh and he heard the nervous undertones. “I do not lust after you.” She shook her head. “You’re so arrogant to think that. Not everyone desires you, my lord. I know this may come as a shock to your overstimulated ego, but it’s true.”
He stood and strode over to her, standing far too close than he ought. “Prove your words. Kiss me and tell me I’m wrong. That you do not ache as I do when we’re near.”
She scoffed. “You do not ache for me, you’re being absurd.”
“Oh I ache, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I do not like not getting what I want.”
“And you want me?”
He did want her and now that he’d been honest about how she made him feel, sexually at least, the idea of chasing any other skirts about town seemed moot.
He fisted his hands at his sides to stop himself from reaching for her.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything, Bells.
It can be simply a little bit of fun between enemies.
I promise not to fall in love with you, which I’m certain you shall not be doing anytime soon either. ”
“That you can be sure of,” she blurted far too forcefully than Hartly thought warranted. “So we shall have a little fun before the Season ends.”
She leaned against him, her hands touching his chest. His heart raced. His body hardened and his skin prickled. Oh yes, she made him throb and all he could think of right at this moment is seeing if he could get her to play his game.
“Not on your life Lord Whitmore,” she said, her lips curved in a mocking smile. “Nice try though, but your tricks do not work on me.”
He watched her saunter out of the room, leaving him alone. He took a deep, calming breath and adjusted his cock, before following her out. “It wasn’t a trick,” he mumbled, put out by her denial of him and the truth of his words.
Perhaps the first he’d ever spoken in his life.