He wanted all of her in that moment.
Something in his heart whisperedalways. He wanted her always.
Chapter 5
It had worked.
The bloody book had worked!
But not in the way that Ophelia had thought it would.
By goodness, the fan had done its trick, but in the maddest of ways and certainly not based on the indications in the pages of her guide.
Of course, she had not been able to follow the instructions of the book as she was supposed to. But once he had helped her implement those instructions, he’d been captivated! Just as the book promised.
After all, it was the only possible explanation for the undeniable fact that he’d leaned towards her.
And before she knew what was happening, his mouth was upon hers, and the most delicious sensations overtook her.
It was the gentlest, softest, most delicious thing she had known in her entire life. She leaned towards him too, determined to savor every moment of the reality of her dream made true.
His strong hand cupped her cheek. She tilted her head, unable to do anything else but give into passion. When else might she have this chance again? She’d longed for this. She couldn’t deny herself this moment.
His mouth worked softly over hers until her lips parted and the touch of his tongue teased hers. She gasped against his mouth.
Heaven. He was heaven.
He pulled back, startled.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I’ve lost my senses.”
“Of course,” she said. “I too seem to have lost mine.”
Was it the fan? The starlight? The garden? She did not know, but in this moment, they were gazing at each other with shock. As if they were discovering each other for the first time.
“I do not know why you kissed me,” she said.
“Nor do I,” he replied honestly, his gaze full of emotion.
Her heart sank at that.
They were so honest, his words.
The admission hurt.
She wished that he had said that he’d kissed her because she was so beautiful, or so seductive, or so impossible to resist. But it was none of those things. Perhaps he had kissed her out of pity. That hurt more. She felt herself stepping back, wishing that she could run into the shadows and into the shrubbery and hide amongst the rose bushes.
She winced.
“I’m sorry,” he rushed, clearly at a loss. “That was badly done of me. That’s not what I meant. Lady Ophelia, you are simply a surprise to me. And I do not know what to make of my current feelings.”
“I’m surprised myself,” she said. “But will you truly help me?”
“Of course, I will help you,” he said.
“You’ll help me find a husband?”
A muscle in his jaw tightened. “If I must.”