Nonsense!
The woman had stared doe-eyed at the viscount all night.
One by one, the guests retired until Lara and Lord Denham were left in the drawing room with Miss Harper lingering like a bad smell. Unable to bear the lady’s company a moment longer, Lara bid them both good night and headed for the door.
“Miss Bennett, wait.” Lord Denham crossed the room. “There are matters of some urgency I would discuss with you.” His handsome blue eyes begged her not to leave him alone with the vixen. “It concerns your grandfather.”
“Can it not wait until the morning?” she said—retribution for his earlier teasing.
He closed his eyes for a few seconds. “I would rather we spoke now. Can you not pander to a man on his birthday?”
Lara inclined her head while Miss Harper narrowed her gaze and scowled at her behind the earl’s back. “Very well. As long as you’re brief, my lord. It’s been a tiring day.” While the thought of being alone with Lord Denham left her knees weak, she wouldn’t give Miss Harper cause to be spiteful.
Relief shone in Lord Denham’s eyes. He turned to Miss Harper. “Good night, Miss Harper. For obvious reasons, there’ll be no hunting tomorrow, so perhaps you might think of other entertaining games to occupy our time.”
The lady’s eyes gleamed like a bawd’s who’d opened her door to find a queue of wealthy gentlemen. “I have many talents, my lord, and know how to rouse enjoyment in those willing to partake.”
Miss Harper couldn’t have been more obvious if she’d tried. She sounded more the desperate harpy than seductive temptress.
“Indeed.” Lord Denham hovered awkwardly. “Well, good night, Miss Harper.” He turned to Lara. “We may speak in the hall. Crudging has wool in his ears when it comes to discussions of a personal nature.”
No doubt the comment was meant to create an air of propriety, though as soon as Miss Harper had mounted the stairs—with an exaggerated sway of the hips worthy of a courtesan—Lord Denham ushered Lara into his study and closed the door.
Instantly, the air came alive with an energetic vibrancy.
In the masculine room, illuminated only by the candle lamp on the large mahogany desk and the glow of the fire, her thoughts turned to kissing. Perhaps he thought of kissing, too, as he strode over to the drinks tray and poured them both a glass of port before returning to stand only a foot away.
She took hold of the crystal stem, clinked his glass and sipped the burgundy liquid.
Lord Denham’s shoulders relaxed, and he studied her over the rim of his glass as he swallowed the fortified wine.
“You wished to discuss my grandfather,” she said by means of a distraction, for the electrifying energy in the room left her breathless. “Or is it merely that you feared Miss Harper might back you into a corner and devour your helpless body?”
“There is only one woman who will ever devour my body, and it is not Miss Harper.”
Heat swirled in Lara’s stomach. He stood so close she could smell the rich port on his breath, smell the earthy, intoxicating scent that stirred the senses and made her want to press her lips to his skin. “Did you bring me in here to seduce me, Lord Denham?” Having lied to him once, it was better to be direct.
Mischief danced in his bright blue eyes. “While I intended to discuss matters relating to the case, to inform you of recent developments regarding the viscount’s affairs, being alone in a room with you, Miss Bennett, sends all logical thoughts scattering.”
His unwavering honesty must be the reason he’d been so hurt by her charade. It was the reason she needed to convey an honesty of her own. “It’s difficult for me to rouse a rational thought when all I can think about is the last time we kissed.”
His breath hitched, and he moistened his lips before saying, “Perhaps we should stop thinking. Perhaps I should refresh your memory.”
Lara swallowed the rest of her port to banish her nerves. She snatched the glass from his grasp and strode over to place them both on the mantel. Then she turned and prowled towards the earl, pushing him back against the desk, making him perch on the edge.
“Open your legs, Lord Denham.” She offered a sultry smile.
“Why, whatever do you intend to do?”
“It will allow me to step that bit closer with a view to keeping you warm.” When he parted his muscular thighs, she stepped into the space and threaded her arms around his neck. “I will never lie to you again.” She pressed an open-mouthed kiss to his lips. “I’m a lady who follows her heart, not her mind, and certainly not her conscience.” She traced the seam of his lips with her tongue. “You rouse reactions in my body I never thought possible. You do things to my mind that leave me craving your touch.” When she kissed him again, she slipped her tongue into his mouth.
A guttural groan rumbled in his throat. Before she knew what was happening, he locked her in an embrace.
And then he was everywhere.
One hand caressed her back, dipped t
o massage her buttocks. The other hand cupped her nape, his thumb stroking the delicate skin below her ear. His wicked mouth devoured hers in a searing kiss, hot enough to melt a mountain of snow.