Chapter 9 #2
Never had Genevieve ever seen Theo so angry.
Not even that day at the croft when he’d berated her for taking chances while working in the East End.
It didn’t surprise her he was angry. All of the Rockwood men would have been outraged by Ansbach’s behavior, but at the moment, there was no doubt in her mind that Theo wanted to kill the man.
He was an excellent pugilist, and from Theo’s expression, if she allowed him to hit Count Ansbach, he would beat the man senseless—or something far worse.
Her heart skipped a beat at the thought.
On the ground, Ansbach was glaring up at Theo, and as Genevieve managed to pull Theo away from the Prussian, the count scrambled to his feet.
“You are to stay away from her, Ansbach.” Ice layering the pond at Callendar Abbey could not have been frozen any more solid than Theo’s voice.
“I believe that is up to the lady, Selbourne,” Ansbach said in a voice almost as cold as Theo’s.
“Genevieve is far too sensible to encourage you, especially given your attempt to seduce her.”
“I agree, Miss Rockwood is a sensible young woman.” Ansbach turned toward Genevieve and bowed. “Forgive me, Miss Rockwood. I lost my head, and I regret my behavior. I hope you will not think too badly of me.”
“An apology won’t erase your behavior in forcing yourself on Miss Rockwood,” Theo growled. “From now on, you will stay away from her or suffer the consequences.”
At Theo’s cutting reply, Ansbach took a small step forward. Genevieve immediately flinched, retreating a step before she collected her wits. Furious with herself for showing any sign of panic, she uttered a sound of disgust.
“I think I’ve heard enough from both of you, and I intend to return to the ballroom. Unaccompanied I might add,” Genevieve snapped as the two men jerked their heads to look at her.
Angered by her failure to anticipate the count’s attempt to kiss her, and the fear that had immobilized her, Genevieve glared at both men.
As grateful as she was for Theo’s rescue, he’d been out of control, which could have led to something deadly.
At her sharp words, Theo narrowed his gaze at her, which made her freeze where she stood.
Good Lord, the man acted as if she’d welcomed Ansbach’s attention.
Not about to wait and find out, she took a step around him, but Theo caught her by the arm to keep her from leaving.
“Leave us, Ansbach,” Theo snarled, and with a nod of agreement, Genevieve met the count’s gaze. Although his expression was one of regret, there was something in his eyes that made Genevieve suppress a tremor of trepidation.
“I trust you will understand that I am unable to go riding in the morning, my lord.”
“I completely understand, Miss Rockwood. Perhaps in the future, with others present, you might agree to ride with me in Hyde Park.”
“Perhaps,” Genevieve said in a noncommittal voice.
The moment she spoke, Theo’s grip on her arm tightened, and she darted a glance in his direction. His expression said he would have something to say about any future interactions she had with the count. Genevieve suppressed an acerbic comment to counter his look.
She knew Theo would order her not to go anywhere near the man, but she had a job to do.
Although she’d never been all that comfortable around the obsequious man, she’d done what was necessary.
Now, after what had just transpired, she knew it would be even more difficult to go anywhere near the man.
But she had no choice if she were to learn anything of real value about Ansbach or his activities.
The count, clearly believing retreat was his best option, offered her an abrupt bow. Relieved the man didn’t try to kiss her hand, Genevieve’s nod was just as abrupt. With one last scowl in Theo’s direction, the count turned about and walked back into the ballroom.
Left alone with Theo, Genevieve met his stony gaze. Eyes glittering with fury, the man looked as angry now as he had when he’d pulled Ansbach off of her. The memory sent an icy finger scraping down Genevieve’s spine.
While she was grateful Theo had arrived when he had, she knew she couldn’t remain silent as to how his behavior had affected her mission. She could have easily managed the count if Theo hadn’t arrived. A voice in the back of her head snorted with disgust at her lie.
Genevieve drew in a deep breath as she readied herself for battle.
Any reprimand she uttered regarding his behavior would be dismissed.
But she wasn’t about to let Theo get away unscathed when it came to his starting a fight with Ansbach.
Although his rescue had been more than welcome, Theo’s demand the count stay away from her would only make the Prussian all the more determined to pursue her.
That alarmed her, because at the moment, all she wanted to do was to stay as far away from the count as she could.
Before she could open her mouth, Theo dragged her across the terrace toward the doors to the ballroom.
They’d gone only a few steps when he came to an abrupt halt.
With another sharp tug of her arm, he changed their course.
“I do not appreciate you man-handling me,” Genevieve protested angrily, trying to free her arm from his grip.
He didn’t say a word as he ignored her protest, easily preventing her attempt to escape.
With her stumbling along behind him, he led her further down the terrace to another set of French doors.
There was only a small amount of light emanating from behind the glass, and Theo tested the handle.
When it dipped downward, he jerked it open and forced Genevieve into a small library.
Theo released her to lock the door behind him, then brushed past her and headed toward another door.
In several quick strides he reached the other entryway and opened it to peer out into what Genevieve could tell was a hallway.
Shutting the door, he locked the door as he had the one they’d entered.
Theo spun about on his heel and looked around the room.
In the low light, his handsome features were still dark with anger, and she shook her head with irritation.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she asked in a tight voice. “Do you have any idea how difficult you just made things for me when it comes to gathering information from Ansbach?”
The moment she questioned him, Theo strode across the room, caught her arm in his hand again and tugged her into the dark shadows toward a large bookcase. When they were enveloped by the darkness, his hard frame pressed her into the sidewall of a bookcase.
“I don’t want you going near that bastard again. Do you understand?”
The low, harsh words echoed with a threat that said she would regret ignoring his command.
Despite her irritation, she couldn’t help feeling a rush of excitement at the possessive note in his voice.
Genevieve quickly pushed the emotion aside, and drew in a breath, and the male scent of him invaded her senses.
Her heart skipped a beat. She’d always liked the clean, fresh smell of pine and bergamot whenever he was near. It was a masculine scent that suited him, but all thought of how good he smelled vanished as he bent his head toward her.
“I asked you a question, Genevieve. Have I made myself clear that you’re to have nothing to do with Ansbach from now on.” His arrogance made her irritation go up a notch.
“Oh, I heard you, but you are not my guardian or even my protector, so what you say holds no water with me, especially—”
Theo uttered a soft oath, then crushed her mouth beneath his firm one.
Stunned, her senses reeled as his lips possessed hers in a mind-numbing kiss.
Fire streaked across her skin as her surprise gave way to a delirious pleasure.
With a murmur of delight, she wrapped her arms around his neck, returning his kiss with fervor.
Heat sank deep into her pores until it ignited a blaze that sped through her blood, spreading its way into every cell of her body. His tongue slid across the seam of her mouth, demanding access. Eagerly, she parted her lips, and his tongue swirled around hers.
He tasted of a fruity, fire-infused brandy, and it mixed with his masculine scent to stoke a desire inside her that threatened to be her undoing, but she didn’t care.
This was what it had been like last time, and she reveled in the sensations his kiss sent flooding through her.
The scent and taste of him aroused a pulsating need in her that swelled and became a desperate hunger.
Hot. Sultry. Probing.
It rose up, consuming her as she pressed her body into his in a silent plea for him to make her his as he had that day in the croft.
She wanted, craved his touch, desperate for him to pleasure her once more.
Eager for more than just his kiss, she thrust her hips into his, jubilant to feel his hard, thick length press into the apex of her thighs.
His mouth slid away from her lips to blaze its way downward to the edge of her bodice.
One hand cupping her, his thumb rubbed across the tip of her breast, causing her nipples to harden.
The acute, tantalizing feel of his tongue dipping into the valley between her breasts made her gasp.
With slow, measured strokes, he slid it in and out of the small recess until she released a low moan as she relished the hedonistic sensation that was sending small throbs of need through her.
God, how she wanted him right now. Wanted their bodies to be joined.
Demanding and unrelenting, her sex ached and pulsed with need.
She wanted him inside her, sliding in and out of her as his tongue was doing between her breasts.
Fingers spiking through his silky, oil-free hair, she trembled with longing, wanting more of him.
Cool air brushed across her legs and then her thighs as his hand roughly tugged her dress upward.