Chapter 8 #2
She liked that he didn’t bother with wigs, which to her seemed effeminate in men.
His thick mahogany hair, tied casually in a queue with a black satin ribbon, shone with burnished highlights in the waning sunlight.
Strangely, she found herself imagining what his hair would feel like if she dared to touch it.
Soft and silky, or perhaps somewhat rough, like the man himself?
“You catch on quickly,” he complimented her, releasing her hand and passing by her so closely that his arm brushed her shoulder, making her flesh tingle.
He circled her, then they faced each other again, and she placed her much smaller hand upon his.
As they stepped toward each other in a single motion, separated, then came together again, his admiring gaze never left hers.
“Wonderful, Camille. Just have some confidence in yourself and you’ll do very well. ”
She blushed warmly, not so much at his words or the way he was looking at her as at the incredible absurdity of her thoughts.
Run her fingers through his hair? Why would she ever want to do that?
She was relieved when he began to instruct her in some country dances and lively reels, which demanded all of her attention and energy just to keep up with him.
“Excellent. You’ve mastered those steps,” he praised her a short while later, clearly pleased with her progress. “I’m beginning to think you must have had a poor teacher at Fairford. The fault certainly does not lie with you. Now let’s put your new expertise into practice.”
Before Susanna could respond, Adam swept her from one end of the ballroom to the other in a spirited country dance.
Round and round they flew, pausing only now and then to stand in one place and perform the required steps in a fast tempo.
Soon she was breathlessly laughing, Adam joining her, their mirth resounding in the room.
When she didn’t think she could go another step further, he urged her on, spinning her around in a circle so fast that the mirrored walls and gilt chandeliers became a blur, and she felt for sure that she would collapse from dizziness.
She finally did, in his arms, her laughter muffled in his coat as she fought to catch her breath, his clean, musky scent enveloping her.
Yet when she felt his embrace tighten around her as they circled slowly to a stop, she abruptly ceased giggling and looked up at him in surprise, still light-headed from their exertion.
He was gazing at her with a look of such burning intensity that if she had not already been breathless, she would have become so.
“You dance…wondrously, my love,” he said huskily, his arms like steel around her.
As his gaze fell to her lips and he bent his head, Susanna thought fleetingly that she should struggle, protest, coyly turn away…
something! But then she felt the warm pressure of his mouth on hers, and all reason fled.
Almost in wonder she parted her lips to him, his breath melding with hers, her knees turning to jelly as his kiss slowly deepened.
In some far recess of her mind she faintly heard a knock upon the door, but she was so lost in the wonderful sensations sweeping over her that she gave no heed to the sound.
Then Adam’s warm mouth was gone and she opened her eyes, dazed.
“What…?”
“Ertha. At the door.”
Reality came back into sharp focus and Susanna gasped, stepping away from Adam so abruptly that she almost fell.
He caught her around the waist just in time, waiting a fleeting instant until he seemed convinced that she could stand on her own before he released her. Then he called out, “Come in, Ertha.”
Susanna took another few steps away from Adam as the door opened, wondering anxiously if her hair was mussed, her gown rumpled, her lips too red, her eyes too wide. What had happened to her wits? How could she have so easily lost control of herself? She didn’t want anyone to know that she and Adam…
“I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Thornton…Miss Camille,” the housekeeper began, appearing curious as she looked from one to the other.
“It’s all right, Ertha,” Adam said, apparently willing to speak for both of them.
He gave Susanna a slight wink, as if to say their secret was still safe with him.
“I was just helping Miss Cary practice her dancing in anticipation of tomorrow night. She needed a partner, and I seemed to be the only one available.” He smiled at Susanna, then added, “Now, what can either I or Miss Cary do for you?”
“Actually, I wanted to speak with Miss Camille,” Ertha said. “If you don’t mind, I thought the girls could give the floor another polishing. You know how I want everything to look just right for your guests.”
“Of course,” Susanna replied, finally finding her voice.
“I don’t mind at all. Mr. Thornton and I were already finished dancing…
and we were just discussing a possible game of billiards before I retire for the evening.
Mr. Thornton has faced so many pressures these past few days, I thought a small contest would cheer him.
” She glanced pointedly at Adam. “Don’t you agree? ”
‘Absolutely,” he said, amused.
“Well, the girls are done cleaning in the game room now, and I’ll make sure they keep quiet in here so they don’t bother you,” Ertha said, bustling over to the door which opened into the adjoining game room. “Forgive me for rushing you, Miss Camille, but we’ve got so much to do yet…”
As she left the room, Susanna didn’t have to look over her shoulder to know that Adam was right behind her. She could sense his presence in a disturbing and, though she hated to admit it, compelling way.
“Would you like anything from the kitchen?” Ertha asked as three housemaids equipped with buckets and mops trooped wearily into the ballroom. “Something to drink?”
“Wine would be nice,” Adam said, speaking for them again. “Is that all right with you, Miss Cary?”
“Yes. Fine.”
“If you’re hungry—”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Just wine, then, Ertha. Thank you.”
The housekeeper nodded and shut the door, leaving them alone.
“Poor woman,” Adam commented with a deep laugh. “I think she’s forgotten how much work a ball can be. Of course it doesn’t help matters when she has the same tasks done two and three times. That floor will be so polished that your guests might very well be risking their necks to dance upon it. “
Susanna scarcely heard him as she moved to a window, gathering her frayed thoughts.
It was almost dusk and the game room, with its heavy velvet draperies, was growing dark.
Yet she made no move to light the candles.
She had no intention of remaining here for more than a few minutes.
After what had happened between her and Adam, she could hardly wait to seek the blessed solace of her room.
She had given him quite enough encouragement for one night, and so unexpectedly—
The sharp flaring of tinder startled her and she turned to find Adam watching her, the flame from the candle he had just lit illuminating his face.
From the possessive glitter in his eyes, Susanna sensed with increasing exasperation that he was becoming even more sure of himself and his ability to win her.
Did he think her such a naive, impressionable girl that she wouldn’t see exactly what he was doing?
she fumed as he lit more candles around the room.
That he was trying to seduce her with lies and gallant actions, appearing the gentleman when clearly he was not?
No doubt he even imagined that after a few more kisses, she would eagerly give him leave to announce their betrothal. Bastard! Like bloody hell she would!
Infuriated, she decided then and there that she wouldn’t hasten up to her room like some flustered rabbit. She was going to stay right here and lead him on, just as she had originally planned.
In fact, she wanted to stay! She wanted to tease him and deceive him, to do everything she could to heighten the illusion that she had every intention of marrying him.
What a shock it would be to him when she finally told him the truth.
She could just imagine the look on his face. Why, she couldn’t wait!
“You know, I just realized I haven’t yet apologized for missing dinner,” Adam said, appreciating how large and lovely Camille’s eyes were in the candlelight and how startlingly green, like bright emeralds. “I’m afraid I overslept. “
“Don’t trouble yourself about it, Adam,” she said softly. “You have a very good excuse.”
Her direct gaze surprised him, considering what had just transpired in the ballroom.
He would have thought she’d still be blushing and embarrassed, perhaps even begging early leave for the night.
Instead she appeared composed and in no hurry to retire, which pleased him.
Perhaps she had enjoyed his kiss…no, he knew she had.
He had felt her soft lips part eagerly beneath his and her body become like liquid in his arms. Damn, if only Ertha hadn’t come to the door. Who knew what might have happened?
Adam leaned his hip against the oaken billiards table. “Nonetheless, I hope you can forgive me.”
“No apology is necessary,” she insisted, her slim fingers toying with the gold drapery fringe. “I know how tired you were. I saw you, remember?”
“Yes, I do,” Adam murmured, enjoying the provocative swish of her gown as she walked to the opposite side of the table.
“In fact, I told Ertha not to send anyone for you so you might get enough rest. I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow.” At his raised eyebrow, she added, “I hope that was all right. I was so worried about you…you’d gotten so little sleep over the last few days…”