Chapter 8
CAROLINE
This wouldn’t be my first kiss. On two other occasions, potential suitors had wanted to prove their ardent admiration. Unfortunately, both attempts had been lackluster. After those unpleasant experiences, I’d made a point of turning my head when a suitor got too close.
But I couldn’t help thinking that of any man I’d met, Kendrick would possess the skill my other suitors had lacked. A small voice warned that it wasn’t wise to make this request of him. I pushed it aside.
When his mouth touched mine, a strange feeling raced through me. I had no words to describe the sensation. I just wanted it to continue. His tongue stroked my bottom lip. I had a moment of doubt, but I trusted him and allowed him to enter.
I wasn’t sure what happened next, but I knew I wanted to get closer to him.
A yearning to press myself against him had me doing just that.
He groaned into my mouth, then his hands began roaming up and down my back.
One hand splayed between my shoulder blades, and the other cupped my backside, pressing me into him even more.
All the while, his mouth ravaged mine, and unexpected pleasure swept through my body. I rose up onto my toes, desperate to get even closer. I’d just touched my tongue to his, eliciting another groan from him, when I heard a shocked gasp.
Kendrick released me immediately, and it took me a moment to gather my wits.
My only thought was that if I was ruined because of this kiss, I wouldn’t regret it.
I was glad I’d summoned the courage to make the request. When I turned to see who’d discovered us, I was surprised to find Diana standing there, her hands covering her mouth.
She rushed to my side and pulled me away from Kendrick. “I was about to turn back, telling myself it couldn’t possibly be you making those noises. Have you taken leave of your senses, Caroline?”
Kendrick stepped back, and when I glanced at him, there was a gleam in his eye that told me he was amused.
I should have been grateful that Diana had interrupted us since one kiss from Kendrick caused me to forget where I was. The irony of the situation wasn’t lost on me. I’d gone from wanting to be compromised to fearing someone might have seen us.
I looked past her. “Is anyone else out here?”
Diana shook her head. “No, of course not, although my aunt did see you come out here with Lord Kendrick. I told her that you’d asked me to meet you on the balcony after the waltz, and that Lord Kendrick was waiting with you until I arrived.”
I felt a measure of relief. “Are you sure no one followed you out?”
“I didn’t see anyone. But since it took me a few minutes to find you, I wouldn’t be surprised if my aunt comes searching. I don’t think she has the highest opinion of Lord Kendrick.”
When I met Kendrick’s gaze, he shrugged. “If you change your mind, we can try again another time. Perhaps closer to the garden doors next time.”
Diana thrust her hands onto her hips, her glare moving from Kendrick to me. “Have you lost your mind? Surely you don’t want to be ruined.”
I winced. “That was the plan originally, but then I lost my nerve. I thought that if I were ruined, no one would want me. The relentless attention would cease, and I’d be able to breathe again.”
Diana laughed. “I don’t think there’s anything that could stop the others from wanting you.”
I frowned. “Not even if I’m ruined by a Legend?”
She glanced at Kendrick. “He’s not going to ruin you. I won’t allow it.”
Kendrick rocked back on his heels, but the gleam in his eyes was still there. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
I felt a hint of annoyance at the way he was watching Diana. Did he really think it necessary to flirt with her in front of me?
“This is Miss Diana Atherton,” I said, turning to Kendrick. “She is newly out in society this year, and you are not allowed anywhere near her.”
Kendrick met my gaze, one brow rising. “I appear to be near her now.”
I let out an impatient huff. “Diana, this is Viscount Kendrick. And it seems you already know he is one of the Legends. We came out here so he could ruin me, but then I changed my mind.”
Diana shook her head. “From what I saw, it didn’t seem as though you’d changed your mind.” She lowered her voice but not enough that Kendrick couldn’t hear. “He won’t marry you.”
Remembering our kiss, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. But I forced myself to be practical. “No, of course not. I might have gotten carried away.”
Diana made a sound that was between a laugh and a snort. “I’d say that’s an understatement. At any rate, your plan was absurd. Lord Penham won’t care if you’re ruined. He’s determined to have you.”
I’d explained the situation to Diana, but I’d hoped Kendrick could find a way to help me. Her matter-of-fact statement had me feeling a touch of desperation.
Kendrick shrugged. “If what she says is true, we might have to tell everyone that I own you now.”
Diana gasped. “What?”
I shook my head. “I’ll explain it to you later.” I turned to Kendrick. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
“Word is bound to get out,” he said. “Your brother and I weren’t alone at King’s.”
I winced. “Hopefully we can resolve this situation before Aunt Augusta learns about what happened.”
Kendrick nodded in acknowledgement. “We can try it that way for now.”
Diana was looking between the two of us then glanced back over her shoulder. “We need to return before anyone comes in search of us.”
I sighed. “All right.” I turned away from Kendrick, but then remembered something. “My slipper.”
Kendrick glanced down. “Is something the matter with it?”
I glanced around, but when I didn’t see a bench, I bent and untied the ribbons of one slipper. When I tugged on one ribbon and nothing happened, I let out a soft growl of frustration.
“Is something wrong with your ribbons?” From the tone of his voice, I could tell he was still amused.
I straightened. “I was hoping to rip one so that I would have an excuse not to dance for the rest of the evening. But my slippers appear to be disappointingly well made.”
Kendrick was grinning now. He dropped into a crouch then looked up at me. “Would you allow me the honor?”
Heat flooded my face as I pointed my right toe and raised the hem of my dress several inches. My pulse began to race when he placed a hand around the back of my foot, his fingers curling against my skin above the slipper.
He was wearing gloves, and I was wearing stockings, but the heat of his touch seemed to burn through the layers of fabric. With his other hand, he took hold of one ribbon and yanked. The ribbon came clean off the slipper.
His fingers slid against the skin on the top of my foot before he rose to his feet again and handed me the ribbon. The gardens were dark, and I hoped he couldn’t see my blush as I thanked him and took it from him.
“That should do,” I said. “Now I won’t have to dance again.”
Diana slid her arm through mine, and we turned toward the house. When Kendrick fell into step with us, Diana drew to a halt. “Where do you think you’re going?”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “I’m returning to the ball, of course.”
“Not through the garden doors, you aren’t.” Diana tilted her head to the left. “I think there is a side door that way you can use. I’ll return with Caroline. You can skulk in through the side door.”
He grinned as he bowed his head. “As you wish.” His gaze met mine again. “We will speak again on this matter.”
I watched him turn and saunter off in the direction Diana had indicated. When he was gone from sight, Diana tugged on my arm, and together we made our way back to the ballroom. My smile widened as I allowed his parting words to wash over me.
He planned to see me again.