Prologue #2
He’d almost missed her standing in the shadows, near the far wall and beside the doors to the terrace with Mrs. Whitcroft.
Her eyes met his and the corner of her mouth tipped right before she took a sip of wine.
In that moment, Mr. Whitcroft joined his wife, someone Cecil had come to know very well, and who could provide the introduction he sought.
Focused and with purpose, Cecil crossed the room and stopped before the couple and after greeting them, turned his attention of his mystery woman.
“Would you please introduce me to your lovely companion?”
Mrs. Whitcroft smiled brightly. “Lord Cecil Claxton, please allow me to present Miss Nicoll Driscoll.”
His stomach tightened. It was too much of a coincidence for her to share the same last name with a man appointed by the Crown to serve in the Custom House and it took everything within his being not to react to the name.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Cecil.”
He took her hand then bowed over it. “Miss Nicoll, how is it possible that we have not met prior to now?”
“Because she likes to hide in the shadows and observe, while you do your best to charm every woman in the rooms you occupy.”
If what Mrs. Whitcroft said was true, then Miss Nicoll likely knew exactly who he was last night, yet had said nothing.
“And now that the two of you have been introduced, I insist you escort Miss Nicoll from this wall. Either take a turn about the room or a stroll in the gardens so that she can abandon her preferrable wallflower status.”
He offered his arm. “Miss Nicoll, would you care to join me? It is a lovely evening now that the storms have moved on.”
“Can one view gardens in the darkness?”
“There are several lanterns and candles,” Mrs. Whitcroft promised.
“I would enjoy the pleasure of your company.” He needed to get her alone so that they could discuss what happened the evening before.
“And perhaps I might enjoy yours,” she said as she placed her gloved hand on his sleeve.
Cecil said nothing else as he led her through the double doors, across the terrace, currently occupied by five other couples, then down the steps, past lilies and dahlias and finally came to a stop before a grouping of blue and violet asters.
“By chance are you related to Mr. Jonathan Driscoll who was appointed by the Crown to serve in the Custom House.”
She smiled. “He is my father.”
“Yet, you did not feel it important enough to tell me so last night?”
“No,” she answered simply.
“Why?”
“I truly saw no reason to do so.” She shrugged. “It is my father’s job to catch smugglers, not mine.”
“Does that mean that what you witnessed will remain between us? A secret shared.”
Her grey eyes glinted silver as she studied him. “I have not yet decided.”
Had the corners of her mouth not twitched into a near smile, he would have considered her serious.
Instead, she was playing, teasing because she knew he had no control over the outcome.
She then turned and strolled away from him and further into the garden, the torch lights casting their shadows on the brick walk.
“Is there anything that I can say or do to convince you to hold my secret?”
Miss Nicoll stopped and turned to face him; her grey eyes lit with intrigue. “Such as payment for my silence?”
If she wanted funds, he would happily pay her. “If that is what you wish.”
“What if I desire something else from you?”
He studied her face, composed and slightly humored. She was not flirting with him, but if not money, what could she possibly want?
“There are two matters that have me quite curious. One, I cannot pursue, however, the other I can…with you.”
“What would that be?”
“A kiss,” she answered. “I have not experienced one before. As you are a rake with a rather risqué reputation, you would be the perfect person to settle my curiosity.”
Did she not care about her reputation or did she hope that they would be caught and they would be forced to wed?
Yet, she did not strike him as a devious miss that one must avoid.
“I would understand if you have no interest. It was merely a suggestion since you want a promise and I have a curiosity.”
Oh, he was very much interested in kissing those full lips, so why wasn’t he?
Because she had not been kissed before, which he found very difficult to believe, and she simply wanted to experience one. Kissing was not an experiment. It was desire and passion.
“Given your hesitation, I will leave you to enjoy your evening.”
She walked past him to return to the house, but he could not let her leave.
Not without her promise.
No! That wasn’t the reason.
Not without her kiss.
Cecil reached out and gently grasped her arm and pulled her back until she had turned, stopping only when her breasts connected with his chest. Miss Nicoll gasped and looked up at him, her silver eyes wide.
He did not give her time to prepare but pressed his lips against hers, which were perfectly parted in surprise.
Cecil nearly lost himself in the kiss, especially when her body relaxed against his and her hands came up to grasp his shoulders.
Tilting his head for better access, he devoured her, taking and giving, nearly blinded with desire as the rest of the world faded away. There were no sounds, no garden. Nothing. Just the two of them.
No kiss had ever silenced the world before. He pulled away, shocked at how heated the blood was that pulsed through his veins. He was breathless.
Nicoll stepped back and smoothed her skirts and smiled. “Thank you, Lord Cecil. I have now experienced a kiss. And, for that, your secret will remain with me.” Then, with a nod, she turned and walked away from him as if she had not been affected at all.
She had not even sighed with pleasure.
Women always sighed with pleasure after he had kissed them, especially after such an exceptional kiss.