The little fool hadn’t thought of her own safety for one moment. “Taking on thieves is dangerous. How will you escape me now?”
He slid his free arm around her waist, completing his hold on her. She wasn’t soft or pliant but made of steel. Even so, she was heaven to hold.
The reason behind his sudden proposal snapped into being—he liked women who enjoyed adventurous bed play. Julia might be that sort of woman one day, if she was carefully introduced to the possibilities.
He sucked in a sharp breath, filling his lungs with the scent of honeysuckle as she turned her face as far as she could.
“I don’t know,” she growled in obvious frustration, then bit her lip. Her lashes fluttered and he was lost.
God help him, despite the watchful company about them, he was growing aroused by her. He fought his response, determined to hide this private side of his nature.
“Think quickly.” He placed her feet to the floor.
Julia turned in his arms until she was facing him and before he could jump back, her knee rested against his groin. She balanced on one foot, her hands fisted into his shirtfront.
Her eyes met his, triumphant. Excited. “How about that?”
Valentine pushed her knee away from his privates. Secretly impressed but so glad she’d not maimed him. “If you had used any force at all, your assailant would have been howling in pain.”
“Good to know for next time.”
Valentine moved closer and splayed his fingers across her hip. “Be careful, minx. Someone is always likely to be stronger than you.”
“I know.” Her gaze softened and she licked her lip. “Thank you for the instruction. You’re the only one who has ever treated me like one of the fellows.”
He stared at her lips. “You haven’t the faintest idea of how I think of you.”
Julia swallowed.
A throat cleared. Two throats, in fact. Valentine glanced beyond Julia to find both Imogen and Peter hovering at the door. Both appeared uncomfortable and he understood why. He’d promised himself he would not rush into kissing her again, and he wouldn’t. But he wanted to very much. That much should be clear to anyone. He stepped back. “I should be going.”
Julia’s face fell. “So soon?”
He nodded quickly, pleased that she sounded disappointed. “As much as I enjoyed this, I suggest you don’t mention today to your brother.”
“The less Linus knows the better,” she agreed. “As it is, when he hears about the Faraday incident he will undoubtedly be cross again.”
“What do the Faradays have to do with you?”
“That’s the lady whose reticule was snatched today.” She smiled a little sadly. “They were very shocked.”
He could also imagine Faraday’s pride being bruised because the slip of a girl he’d complained about had rescued his wife’s possession. The incident didn’t bode well for the man’s continued support. “One can only hope his shock remains until Sunday.”
“What happens on Sunday?”
“The start or end of my hopes.” He bowed to her but didn’t elaborate. “Good day, Miss Radley. Sir Peter, Lady Watson. Thank you for an enjoyable afternoon.”
Five
Watching other people dance all night was a bore. However, until one was asked, a lady had no choice but to stand on the sidelines. Julia had danced twice, once with Sir Peter, no doubt at his wife’s urging, and once with Mr. George, who hadn’t seemed his usual cheerful self. No one else had bothered to approach her. It had so far been one of the most mortifying nights of her life.
“Stop fidgeting,” Linus whispered out the corner of his mouth.
“I should have stayed at home rather than endure this.” At home, she could practice what Valentine had shown her of defending herself instead of watching everyone else have fun. At present, all of their friends were occupied, either dancing together or mingling with Brighton society in a way she no longer could.
“You won’t find a husband if you remain unseen,” Linus hissed.
The musicians struck up a new tune that had her toe tapping. She wished Anthony Linden would ask her to dance tonight but he twirled about on the dance floor with other women, having the time of his life. “But if I had stayed at home, I wouldn’t be whispered about or stared at.”